First leg of the UEFA Europa League went by in home teams’ domination and it was pretty much expected having in mind the fact that squads that compete in this stage of UEFA Europa League qualifications come from different and hardly comparable soccer playing styles.
Nevertheless, the information that we are about to provide will certainly help you to narrow down the expectations of which team is more poised to advance into the next stage. It’s never too early to win some cash so let’s take a closer look.
SANT JULIA (And) vs. SKENDERBEU (Alb)
3-Way: 1: Sant Julia +1000 Home; X: +430 Draw; Skenderbeu -278
Spread +1.5: Sant Julia -118; Skenderbeu +110
Total+2.5: Over +110; Under -118
SANT JULIA
The Sant Julia ended the last season ranked second in the Andorran Premier League table thus securing the UEFA Europa League berth. Same as the Andorran national team, squads from this small country are considered mostly as the outsiders in any competition but the first leg result doesn’t disqualify them yet and the team is still in the game as they have only one goal disadvantage before the rematch on their home soil.
If they can manage to get into the next stage it will be a big surprise. Team improved their roster during the offseason with four players and most notable add on is the Serbian national Nikola Zugic, defensive midfielder who came from Portugal’s side Armacenenses on a free transfer. No player has left the team after the last season. Team has no injured players at the moment.
SKENDERBEU
The team that shares its name with famous Albanian cognac brand Skenderbeu disappointed their fans in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League as they manage to secure a minimal 1:0 win over the team that is considered to be on a much lower level of quality. Problems on the offensive end were obvious, especially after attacking midfielder Liridon Latifi missed a penalty kick in the 53rd minute of the match. In the 69th minute he managed to redeem himself a bit with a nice goal to give his team a lead. After the final whistle, result stayed 1:0 as visitors managed to keep their sheet clean in the last twenty minutes of the game.
Four players left the team during the offseason but five new signings were added, especially on the offensive end where team signed Montenegrin striker Goran Vujovic who came from Buducnost Podgorica and Donjet Shkodra who came from FC Flamurtari. Centre-back Tefik Osmani is the only unavailable player for the rematch because of the suspension.
Sant Julia (And) vs. Skenderbeu (Alb) – Match Prediction:
Albanian side is still a big favorite in this matchup having in mind the competitions these teams are coming from. Although the first leg ended with only one goal scored, I expect the rematch to display more goals, which is why I taking the over.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (+110)
PRISHTINA (Kos) vs. NORRKOPING (Swe)
3-Way: 1: Prishtina +1500; X: +600 Draw; 2: Norrkoping -417
Spread +2; Prishtina +112; Norrkoping -109
Total +3.5; Over -115; Under +104
PRISHTINA
The Prishtina team shouldn’t be competing in the UEFA Europa League competition because from Kosovo only two teams can qualify for the one of the European club competitions, the League Champion and the Cup winner. Prishtina was neither, ending the season as the runners-up but the Cup winner Besa Peje failed to obtain a UEFA license and team from Kosovo’s capital was granted entrance instead. First leg went very badly as they got outplayed and outscored by the Swedish side Norrkoping, 5:0.
This is most certainly the end of the competition for Kosovo’s side but they still have some pride left to defend and should at least put a fight in front of their own crowd. During the offseason one player left the team (centre-back Liridon Kukaj) and one player was added to the team (left-back Abdul Bashiru). Team has no injured players at the moment.
NORRKOPING
The second Swedish team that qualified for this year’s UEFA Europa League is Norrkoping. The thirteen times Swedish Champions squad had a draw on their side as they got a newcomer in the competition who they humiliated at home last week with five goals in their sheet. They needed only 40 minutes into the game to score five goals with two scores by K. Holmberg and one each by D. Karlsson, S. Andersson and N. Eliasson. Second leg will probably be just a formality for the visitors as they already have their minds set on the next stage.
Their roster is pretty much the same it was last season with two youngsters Erik Lindell and Mohanad Jeahze coming back from the one year loan spell in Degerfors. Only departure is right winger Niklas Barkroth who signed for the Polish side Lech Poznan for an estimated 650.000 Euros transfer fee. There are four players on the injury report as Andreas Blomqvist (Knee), Henrik Castergren (Knee), Adin Bukva (unknown) and Marwan Baze (Knee) are all unavailable to manager Jens Gustaffsson.
Prishtina (Kos) vs. Norrkoping (Swe) – Match Prediction:
First leg showed us that there is an evident discrepancy in these two teams strength and quality and I think that another win by the Swedish side is in order. The team from Kosovo had their chances and were constantly pushing forward, creating a total 17 goal attempts (7 shots on goal) and recording 8 corners. Based on the stats, I think Prishtina will do whatever it takes to score at least one goal, which is why I am expecting both teams to score.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-120)
DERRY CITY (Nir) vs. MIDTJYLLAND (Den)
3-Way: 1: Derry City +971 ; X: +515 Draw; 2: Midtjylland -294
Spread: +1.5; Derry City -106; Midtjylland -103
Total +3; Over -114; Under -101
DERRY CITY
Similar to Prishtina, the Derry City team that comes from Northern Ireland but competes in this competition as one of the berths that are coming from Republic of Ireland, got themselves humiliated in the first leg last week as they ended the game with six goals in their sheet. Only goal for the team from the green island was scored by R. Curtis in the 66th minute of the match. Team will have the chance to save some of its pride at the Maginn Park on Thursday.
There were no additions to the team’s roster during the offseason but two players left the club as their loan spells ended. Only injured player is centre-back Aaron Barry (contusion).
MIDTJYLLAND
The Midtjylland team earned the UEFA Europa League berth through Danish league playoffs and now they are facing an almost certain advancement to the second qualifying round as they come to Derry with five goals advantage over the hosts (6:1 in first leg). Five different guys managed to put themselves on the scoreboard in the first game as M. Dal Hande, K. Riis, J. Poulsen and B. Kraev scored one goal each while S. Kroon managed to score twice.
Team’s roster is unrecognizable compared to the last season as 20 new players came in and nine players left the team. Most notable addition is goalie Jesper Hansen who came from Lyngby BK for reported 650.000 Euros transfer fee while most notable departure was also goalie Johan Dahlin who signed for Malmo FF as part of the deal that was estimated be worth around 350.000 Euros. Centre-back Rasmus Nicolaisen will be unavailable for midweek rematch because of a knee injury.
Derry City (Nir) vs. Midtjylland (Den) – Match Prediction:
The Danish side is a sure traveler to the next stage but my sure bet here would be over 3 goals in total, given the fact that both teams play more offensive schemes.
MY PICK: Over 3 goals (-114)
AIK (Swe) vs. KLAKSVIK (Fai)
3-Way: 1: AIK -833; X: ++1000 Draw; 2: Klaksvik +3000
Spread: -2.5; AIK +100; Klaksvik -108
Total: +3.5; Over +114; Under -133
AIK
First leg goalless draw between these two teams was a real surprise but Swedish side AIK remains to be the favorite. The runners-up from the last season of Swedish national championship didn’t manage to score against much less rated team from Faroe Islands but the win on Friends Arena should not come in question.
Team strengthened their roster with five new young players while two players left the team as their loan arrangements expired. Most notable addition is the twenty three years old Argentinean attacker Nicolas Stefanelli who came from Defensa team that competes in Argentina. Right-back Haukur Heidar Hauksson is only unavailable player for the rematch due to an unknown injury.
KLAKSVIK
Faroe Island teams are like the teams from Andorra mostly considered as the underdogs with very little chances of accomplishing a good result in the international scene. Klaksvik team did manage to snatch a draw against this year’s opponents but I think that that’s as far as they are going to get in this years Europa League competition.
Only offseason addition is the keeper Meinhardt Joensen who got back from a loan spell in TB Tvoroyri while no player has left the team. Team also has no injured players at the moment.
AIK (Swe) vs. Kaksvik (Fai) – Match Prediction
I think that a big difference win is in order here and I would definitely go that way in this duel.
MY PICK: Over 3.5 goals (+114)
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