Here are the previews for four more matchups of total 50 games that will be played on Thursday as part of the first leg of the Europa League first qualifying round. As usual, European soccer competitions are starting in full gear and we have to take advantage out of it in order to make you some more money. Let’s take a closer look to the analysis below.
SIROKI BRIJEG (BiH) vs. ORDABASY (Kaz)
3-Way: 1: Siroki Brijeg +179; X: +231 Draw; 2: Ordabasy +188
Spread 0: Siroki Brijeg -106; Ordabasy +104
Total +2.5: Over +125; Under -143
SIROKI BRIJEG
The Siroki Brijeg team had a pretty unsuccessful season in the national league competition of Bosnia and Herzegovina where they finished ranked seventh but the team from a small town in the south of the country secured the Europa League berth after defeating FK Sarajevo in the national Cup finals. As part of the first leg in the qualifying round they will host the Ordabasy team from Kazakhstan at Pecara Stadium.
Team competed in one of the European team club competitions for eleven consecutive years (from 2004 until 2015) before the last year’s disappointing season but this year they are finally back to the Europa League where they have a 14-6-20 record and 49-64 goal difference in 40 overall games played. Wagner and Dejan Cabraja should step up in order to provide the team with a positive result.
ORDABASY
The Ordabasy team that comes from Kazakhstan should have one formidable advantage in this duel because the Kazakhstani Premier League is currently under way and the squad should be in a pretty good form. They rank third in the league table at the moment and they are coming off from a Saturday’s home loss against Kairat.
Team earned the Europa League berth after finishing the last season ranked fourth in the league table and they are probably one of the weaker teams in this stage. Team scored only 26 goals in 19 matches this season while conceding 18. 58% of their overall matches had over 2.5 goals in total but 95% of their overall games had under 3.5 goals in total. Forwards Tanat Nusserbayev and Preslav Yordanov are the team’s offensive leaders.
SIROKI BRIJEG (BiH) vs. ORDABASY (Kaz) – Match Prediction:
It’s a matchup between two teams that are not in a great form in recent years and their Europa league stint will most likely come to an end in the next round, whichever team wins the first round. I don’t expect too much excitement as both teams will most likely play to save their net. Go with the under in this one!!!
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-143)
DOMZALE (Slo) vs. FLORA (Est)
3-Way: 1: Domzale -167; X: +309 Draw; 2: Flora +650
Spread -1: Domzale -105; Flora -108
Total +2.5: Over +121; Under -123
DOMZALE
The Domzale team from Slovenia earned the Europa League berth after a 1:0 victory over Olimpija Ljubljana in the Slovenian Cup final game. This was the second Cup title in the team’s history. In the league they weren’t particularly successful as they finished ranked fourth but the goal of providing the European soccer matches in Domzale this year has been achieved. First round draw was also preferable as the Slovenian side can certainly be a contender against the currently in-form Estonians.
During the last season, they’ve averaged 1.75 goals scored and 1.25 goals conceded while 56% of their overall games had over 2.5 goals in total. They failed to score in only 11% of home soil games while both teams scored in every second home matchup. Biggest threat for the opponent’s goalies should be the striker Lovro Bizjak.
FLORA TALLINN
The Flora Tallinn squad is currently leading the pack in the Meistriliiga (Estonian Premier League) after 17 rounds with 15 wins and only two draws. Team is undefeated and obviously in a good form facing the two legged matchup against the Slovenian side. They earned the Europa League berth after finishing ranked fourth in the league last year.
Team is very efficient so far with 52 goals scored in 17 league games (3.06 per match) while they conceded only seven goals. 47% of their overall matches had over 2.5 goals in total while both teams scored in 29% of their overall games. Striker Rauno Sappinen and midfielder Zakaria Beglarshvili look unstoppable right now as they scored 11 and nine goals in 17 league matches so far.
DOMZALE (Slo) vs. FLORA (Est) – Match Prediction:
The visitors are in a great form in the domestic league, but the hosts are very strong at the Domzale Sports Park. I expect a tough battle on both sides of the pitch and at least one goal scored by both teams.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (+125)
RANGERS (Sco) vs. NIEDERCORN (Lux)
3-Way: 1: Rangers -1250; X: +1400 Draw; 2: Niedercorn +3900
Spread -3: Rangers -115; Niedercorn -108
Total +4: Over -120; Under -102
RANGERS
The Rangers team is slowly gaining back its old glory and they are finally back in one of the European team competitions after a five-year drought. Team finished last season ranked third in the league table of the Scottish Premiership, following their four-year stint in the lower divisions as the consequence of the bankruptcy that occurred in the 2012 season. Their first opponent will be the relatively unknown Luxembourg side, Niedercorn.
The Rangers were pretty solid last season as they scored 56 and conceded 44 goals, while 53% of their overall games had over 2.5 goals in total. Both teams scored in 66% of their overall matchups and they failed to score in only one home match. Team also reached the Scottish Cup final game but failed to win against Hibernian (2:3). Forwards Kenny Miller and Barrie McKay should be the difference makers in this clash.
NIEDERCORN
The Niedercorn team is back in the European league competition after a one year drought. The Luxembourgian side managed to qualify after finishing the last season ranked fourth in the league table. Team has 12 European games in its history (0-2-12 record) and 1-40 goal difference. They are constantly considered as the underdogs and it’s no different this year.
They managed to score 57 and concede 38 goals during the last season in the national league while 73% of their overall matches had over 2.5 goals in total. Nevertheless, French forwards Hakim Menai and Alexis Lafon will have to pull out some kind of miraculous goal-scoring performances if they want to have any chance against high-profile Scottish team.
RANGERS (Sco) vs. NIEDERCORN (Lux) – Match Prediction:
This one is a no brainer and probably the easiest matchup to predict. The Rangers are flying high after reaching the European competition for the first time in the last 5 years and honestly, I expect them to reach at least two more rounds of the Europa League qualifying rounds. This should be a high scoring game and the +4 goals should be topped with ease.
MY PICK: Over 4 goals (-120)
JOHNSTONE (Sco) vs. TRAKAI (Ltu)
3-Way: 1: St. Johnstone -222; X: +440 Draw; 2: Trakai +700
Spread -1.5: St. Johnstone +137; Trakai -141
Total +2.5: Over -132; Under +114
JOHNSTONE
Second Scottish squad that will participate in the first qualifying round of this years’ Europa League is St. Johnstone. They are also coming back to this competition after a one year drought and a disappointing first round loss against Armenian side Alashkert, two years ago. This time, they will face another relatively unknown opponent from Lithuania and they will have to be careful if they want to avoid another negative surprise.
Last season they managed to score 50 goals in 38 matches (1.32 per game) and 47% of their overall matchups had over 2.5 goals in total. Striker Steven MacLean and midfielder Murray Davidson should lead the way in a potential game-winning performance.
TRAKAI
The Trakai team is back in the Europa League competition for the third consecutive year. Two years ago, in their European competitions debut they managed to advance to the next stage while last season competition ended in the first round after a defeat against Estonian side Nomme Kalju FC (3:5 aggregate). This years’ opponent is the team that is coming from a relatively stronger European League but the Lithuanians will certainly put up a fight.
Team finished second in the national league competition, ten points behind the champion Zalgiris. They’ve scored only 21 goals but they also were very efficient in the defensive end, conceding only nine goals. Only 19% of their overall games had over 2.5 goals in total while both teams scored in 44% of their overall matches. Russian striker Maksim Maksimov should represent the biggest threat for the opponent’s’ goalie.
JOHNSTONE (Sco) vs. TRAKAI (Ltu) – Match Prediction:
An interesting matchup is set to take place on Thursday from the McDiarmid Park when the St. Johnstone side hosts the Lithuanian representatives Trakai FC. Although the hosts are slightly favored, the visitors will use all strength to come up with a positive result. Go with the under.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (+114)
