Summer temperatures are getting warmer and so is the European soccer scene as we enter the second round of the UEFA Europa League qualifying stage. Qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League are starting this week too but we’ll keep our focus on the national runners-up teams and cup winners to check out how they handle the excitement and also the pressure of performing in international competitions. Analysis of four more clashes is ready so let’s take a closer look.
Beitar Jerusalem (Isr) vs. Botev Plovdiv (Bul)
Three-Way: 1: Beitar Jerusalem -250; X: +416 Draw; Botev Plovdiv +900
Spread -1.5: Beitar jerusalem +114; Botev Plovdiv -123
Total +2.5: Over -125; Under +114
BEITAR JERUSALEM
The Beitar Jerusalem team got past Hungarian representatives Vasas in the first qualification round of the Europa League after a goal-fiesta type performance. After the first leg, things weren’t very bright as they conceded three goals at the home soil, winning the game 4:3 after trailing 3:1 in the 52nd minute of the game.
Georginho, Benayoun, Vered and Sabo scored one each to send the fans frantic as last two goals came in an injury time. On the road, they were more than confident, defeating the opponents 3:0, with one goal by Ezra and a double by Gaetan Varrene.
During the offseason, ten new players were signed while nine guys left the team. Centre-Back Antoine Conte came from French team Reims for a transfer fee of 500.000 Euros while Midfielder Erik Sabo was signed from PAOK Saloniki for a transfer fee of 400.000 Euros. Manager Sharon Mimer will have his entire roster available for the upcoming matchup.
BOTEV PLOVDIV
Bulgarian Cup winners Botev Plovdiv defeated Albanian team, Partizani Tirana in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. It was all over after the end of the first match on the road where Botev celebrated the 3:1 win.
They fell behind early as they conceded an opener in fifth minute of the game but double by Omar Kossoko and a goal by Todor Nedelev were too much for the Albanian side to catch on. Rematch in Plovdiv ended with a 1:0 win home team win with score by Felipe Brisola.
Team was very busy during the offseason as 11 new players were signed and 11 left the team. Most notable signing was goalie Daniel Kajzer who came from ROW Rybnik on a free transfer. Botev team doesn’t have any injured players at the moment.
Beitar Jerusalem (Isr) vs. Botev Plovdiv (Bul) – Match Prediction:
This will be a very interesting match as both teams have equal chances of advancing to the next stage. I would pass on the winner prediction and pick the over 2.5 goals in total.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-125)
Brondby (Den) vs. VPS (Fin)
3-Way: 1: Brondby -500; X: +650 Draw; 2: VPS +2400
Spread -2: Brondby +116; VPS -116
Total +2.5: Over -118; Under +125
BRONDBY
The runners-up from the last season of the Danish Premier League, Brondby team is one of the 16 new squads that will enter the UEFA Europa League competition in the second qualifying round. Ten times Champions of Denmark, finished the last season with 62 points in 36 matches, 12 points less than the Champions FC Kobenhavn.
During the offseason Brondby has strengthened its roster with seven new players, including twenty two year-old German attacking midfielder Hany Mukhtar who came from Benfica for a fee of 1.5 Million Euros.
On the other side, eight players left the team including their goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey who was sold to Valerenga for 100.000 Euros. Another goalie, Frederik Ronnow will not be available on Thursday because of suspension (Red Card).
VPS
The VPS team is facing a big test against one of the strongest squads in this stage of the Europa League competition. They survived the first qualifying round after two confident 1:0 victories over the Slovenian side Olimpija Ljubljana. Goals by Joonas Vahtera at home and Sebastian Strandvall on the road were enough to propel the team into the second qualifying round.
Team was completely passive during the offseason as they haven’t signed any new players but on the other side no player has left the team either. Head coach Petri Vuorinen has his entire roster available for the next game.
Brondby (Den) vs. VPS (Fin) – Match Prediction:
I think that the obvious difference in strength and quality will prevail here and that the Danish side will record an easy win. Spread bet sounds good and I would go with that.
MY PICK: Brondby -2 AH (+116)
Ferencvaros (Hun) vs. Midtjylland (Den)
Three-Way: 1: Ferencvaros +220; X: +280 Draw; 2: Midtjylland +135
Spread +0.5: Ferencvaros -143; Midtjylland +135
Total +2.5: Over -109; Under -106
FERENCVAROS
The Ferencvaros team went by Latvian side Jelgava in the first Europa League qualifying wound with wins in both legs. At home, double by Roland Varga was enough to give the team big advantage before the rematch in Jelgava, where Tamas Priskin scored the only goal in the 37th minute of the match to give the Hungarians much needed edge over the opponent.
The team was very active in the transfer market during the offseason but all their transfers were the free transfer or loan type. They signed 13 new players including Rui Pedro, Portuguese attacking midfielder who played in CSKA Sofia last season. 15 players left the team and most notable departure was Oliver Husing, twenty four years old centre-back who went to play for German side Hansa Rostock. Boss Thomas Doll has his entire roster available at the moment.
MIDTJYLLAND
The Midtjylland scored 10 goals in the first qualifying round, more than any other team this year. The unlucky victim was the Irish side, Derry City who went down with 10:2 on aggregate.
Result in the first matchup of the Europa League that was played in Denmark was 6:1 with two goals by Simon Kroon and one each by Marc Dal Hende, Kristian Riis, Jacob Poulsen and Bozhidar Kraev. In Ireland, the Danes scored four goals as Paul Onauchu recorded a hat-trick and Gustav Wikheim added one more to finish off the Irishmen.
Ten players left the team during the offseason and most notable departure was the transfer of keeper Johan Dahlin to Malmo FF for a fee of 350.000 Euros. On the other side 13 new signings were announced including goalie Jesper Hansen, winger Gustav Wikheim, midfielder Bozhidar Kraev and Centre-back Alexander Sorloth whose combined transfers are estimated to 2 Million Euros. Manager Jess Thorup will not have Rasmus Nicolaisen (Knee) and Markus Halsti (Suspension) at his disposal.
Ferencvaros (Hun) vs. Midtjylland (Den) – Match Prediction:
Another very interesting matchup but I think that the Danish side has the upper hand here, especially after they strengthened their team with couple of great signings during the offseason.
MY PICK: Midtjylland (+135)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-135)
FK Liepaja (Lat) vs. Suduva (Ltu)
Three-Way: 1: FK Liepaja +114; X: +245 Draw; 2: Suduva +315
Spread -0.5: FK Liepaja +116; Suduva -120
Total +2.5: Over +125; Under -137
FK LIEPAJA
The Liepaja team finished fourth in the Latvian Premier League last season, earning the berth for the UEFA Europa League competition. In the first round they went by the Northern Ireland team Crusaders with away goal rule being applied.
After two legs, the result was 3:3 on aggregate but the Latvian side managed to score one goal on the road (3:1 loss in Northern Ireland) while they managed not to concede a goal at home (2:0 win in Latvia) thus qualifying in to the next stage.
Two new players were signed during the offseason while four guys returned for their loan spells. On the other side four guys left the team and most notable departure was twenty four years old left-back Vasiko Bachiashvili who went to Lithuanian Kauno Zalgiris team on a free transfer. Head coach Tamaz Pertia will have his entire roster available on Thursday.
SUDUVA
The Lithuanian representative Suduva Marijampole team qualified for the second round of the Europa League after defeating the higher rated Shakhtyor Soligorsk team.
First leg in Belarus ended goalless but in the second leg, Algis Jankauskas sent the home fans frantic after an injury time winner that gave the team much needed win (2:1). If he didn’t score this historic goal for the Lithuanian side, the team from Belarus would advance into the second round because of the away goal rule.
Team signed three players during the offseason while no one left the team. Most notable signing was centre-back Semir Kerla who came from Bosnian team Zeljeznicar on a free transfer. Manager Vladimir Cheburin has his entire roster available at the moment.
FK Liepaja (Lat) vs. Suduva (Ltu) – Match Prediction:
My safe bet here would be draw because the teams are almost equal in quality and play very carefully with more concerns about the defense than the offense.
MY PICK: Draw +231
Additional Pick: Under 2.5 goals (-137)
