With the official 2017-18 season set to begin from July 1st, many teams across Europe are already going to play matches before the season ends, in a bid to earn places in the Europa League group stage for the 2017-18 season. The following preview will be covering 4 matches, Mladost Podgorica vs. Gandzasar, KR Reykjavik vs. SJK, Stjarnan vs. Shamrock Rovers, and Valletta vs. Folgore, as all of these teams will be vying on June 29th for a place in the 2nd round qualifiers for the UEFA Europa League 2017-18.
MLADOST PODGORICA (Mne) vs. GANDZASAR (Arm)
3-Way: MLADOST PODGORICA +100; X: +258 Draw; GANDZASAR +320
Spread -0.5: MLADOST PODGORICA +100; GANDZASAR -109
Total +2.5: Over: +120; Under -133
MLADOST PODGORICA
The Montenegro based team is coming off an impressive season in their country when it comes to the domestic league. They finished off 2017 in a very strong fashion league, as they lost the title race to the eventual league champions Buducnost only in goals scored. However, their recent memory in the European competitions hasn’t really been a sweet one. Of their last 6 games, their European record reads 1-2-3, with them losing their all last three qualifiers.
However, going into this match, they have been decent when it comes to making an impact at the ends of the pitch. They were the second best in the league when it came to goals scored and goals conceded. Mladost scored 46 goals in the league and conceded just 22 last season, in 33 matches. They have won their last 3 matches, and their most common score is a 1:0 win. However, they have only managed to score a maximum of 2 goals in each of their last 6 matches in European competitions, and have won only one of those matches.
GANDZASAR KAPAN
Gandzasar has finished off their league season in second place, and just like their opponents, are the second best team when it comes to offense and defense, with 38 scored and 24 conceded in the domestic league last season. They are on an impressive undefeated run in their last ten away matches in the league. However, they are on a poor form in their European outings, winning just 1 of their last 6 games, losing all the other five games.
A one goal win has been the most frequent result for them, and they will be happy to edge out their opponents this week to move a step forward in their pursuit of European football.
MLADOST PODGORICA vs. GANDZASAR – Match Prediction:
This Europa League first round qualifier match will be between two teams who had very similar seasons in their respective leagues in terms of finishes and goal difference. However, this match seems to be edging towards the hosting team Mladost Podgorica as the team will look to explore the home advantage. Therefore my prediction is a low scoring home win.
MY PICK: Mladost Podgorica (+100)
KR REYKJAVIK (Ice) vs. SJK (Fin)
3-way: KR REYKJAVIK +114; X: +247 Draw; SJK +285
Spread -0.5: KR REYKJAVIK+116; SJK -130
Total +2.5: Over +129; Under -139
KR REYKJAVIK
The team from Iceland is currently in the middle of their 2017 season, as the country follows the calendar year to conduct the leagues. They are currently 7th in their league, while they are 8th when it comes to scoring, and even preventing goals.
Their current European form gives a mixed reading. Over their last 6 matches, they have the record of 2-1-3. Their last three qualifiers have given a thumping win, followed by a 3:3 draw, followed by an agonizing win, all in the last year’s qualifiers.
SJK
Like their opponents, SJK is also in the middle of their league in Finland. They are presently sitting at the 9th position. They have scored 18 goals, and conceded 24 in their league so far in 16 matches.
They didn’t compete in the Europa League before, and hence will be looking forward to make a good start to the same. However, their current form makes for a grim reading, as they have lost their last two matches, and have won only once in their last 6 matches.
KR REYKJAVIK vs. SJK – Match Prediction:
Two teams, who are on similar positions in their respective leagues, will be fighting it out to advance to the next round of the Europa League. However, it being the away teams first time in Europa League qualifiers, hence I will predict a win for the home team KR Reykjavik.
MY PICK: KR REYKJAVIK (+114)
STJARNAN (Ice) vs. SHAMROCK ROVERS (Irl)
3 Way: 1: STJARNAN +114; X: +254 Draw; SHAMROCK ROVERS +274
Spread -0.5: STJARNAN +116; SHAMROCK ROVERS -122
Total +2.5: Over -105; Under -101
STJARNAN
Stjarnan is currently sitting at the 3rd position in their league. They also have a goal difference of +5. Stjarnan has scored in all of their home matches this season, and has conceded at least one goal in each of the last 7 matches in the domestic league.
They have been winless in their last 4 matches, with 3 losses and 1 draw. Their last two UEFA matches were Champions league qualifiers, against Celtic, which they lost in both legs. This time they will be looking to progress to the Europa League, starting from the qualifiers on June 29th.
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock is currently in a good run of form, as they have been unbeaten in their last four matches, while winning three of those. They are sitting at 4th position in the league. Over their last 6 matches, their form reading is 4-1-1.
Shamrock is more used to winning matches by 1 goal margin, while defeats by the same margin is also a comparatively familiar sight. Shamrock has scored in each of their last 17 league matches, which show that they are on a good scoring run at present. They have also scored in each of their last 9 away games, setting good signs for this qualifier.
STJARNAN vs. SHAMROCK ROVERS – Match Prediction:
Even though Shamrock is relatively inexperienced when they are compared to their opponents in European competitions, the Irish side has enough firepower in their ranks to cause the hosts enough problems. However, I expect both teams to score at least one goal.
MY PICK: Both teams to score (-125)
VALLETTA (Mlt) vs FOLGORE (San)
3-Way: 1: VALLETTA FC -455; X: +620 Draw; 2: FOLGORE +1700
Spread -1.5: VALLETTA FC -143; FOLGORE +143
TOTAL +2.5: Over -133; Under +121
VALLETTA
The Maltese team will be looking forward to start the new season on a positive note. Valletta finished 4th last season in the domestic league, as the 23 times champions lost ground midway to the eventual champions Hibernians FC.
They scored 51 goals, while conceding 29. They had the best defense in the league. They haven’t really performed well when it comes to European Qualifiers. Of their last 6 matches, they have won 2 and lost the other 4. All three of their last European matches have been defeats.
FOLGORE
The club from San Marino is currently 3rd in their league table. They have scored 53 goals, the most in their league, while conceding just 15. They have won just 1 match in the last 6 domestic ties, with 3 draws and two defeats.
However, they have been very poor in UEFA qualifiers. In all their last six qualifiers, they have been at the losing end. And against comparatively superior opponents, they will not be fancying to change that trend in all possibility.
VALLETTA vs FOLGORE – Match Prediction:
Even though the home team hasn’t been effective in the Europa League qualifiers themselves, but they should have enough in their tanks to defeat the visitors who have been even poorer when it comes to qualifiers. This should be an easy win for the hosts, but I would rather put my money on the over which is offered at -133 for +2.5 goals.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-133)
