The third qualifying round of the Europa League is the stage when certain very famous teams enter the competition. That means that the number of squads that started the qualifications round from the beginning reaches its critical point. Nevertheless, similar to the UEFA Champions League, couple of underdogs always makes it to the final run and that’s the case this year too.
Here, we will try to examine the situation and possible make the case for some of those teams to achieve historic success that their fans can be proud about. Luxembourgian representatives Fola Esch and Lithuanian representatives Suduva Marjampole are the perfect examples of this scenario and having in mind the results in the first leg, at least one of these teams should reach the next stage.
Lyngby (Den) vs. Krasnodar (Rus)
Three-Way: 1: Lyngby +242; X: +254; Krasnodar +129
Spread +0.5: Lyngby -141; Krasnodar +129
Total +2.5: Over -108; Under -102
LYNGBY
One of three Danish representatives in the UEFA Europa League competition, Lyngby team went by Bangor City and Slovan Bratislava in the first two qualifying rounds, before the ongoing clash with Krasnodar.
The Russians present one of the strongest team in this stage but Danes managed to snatch a pretty promising result in the first leg, with a 2:1 away defeat. Jeppe Kjaer was the hero of the match in Russia, after scoring the a goal on the road in 64th minute of the game.
During the offseason, four youngsters from U19 team were promoted to the first team and three new players signed for the team including twenty one years old midfielder Mathias Hebo Rasmussen who came from FC Fredericia on a free transfer. On the other side, eighteen years old prospect, centre-forward Jens Ogaard was sold to Italian side Inter for a fee of 1.50 Mill. Euros. Mathias Tauber (Knee) and Jeppe Kjaer (suspension) will not be available for the rematch.
KRASNODAR
The Russian team is definitely the favorite for securing at least a group stage of this year’ Europa League competition but they haven’t been on the money in the first matchup at home.
They did win the game with but the performance was not on the wanted level. After Kjaer’s opener for the guests Viktor Claesson scored an equalizer in 67th minute of the match while Magomed Shappi Suleymanov scored a winner in the third minute of the injury time to ensure this skinny win for his team.
Krasnodar was extremely busy during the offseason, spending 13 Million Euros on three acquisitions, Wanderson, from RB Salzburg, Andrei Ivan from CSU Craiova and Mihailo Ristic from Red Star Belgrade. Four players left the team including right-back Vitali Kaleshin who retired.
Lyngby (Den) vs. Krasnodar (Rus) – Match Prediction:
The Russians are just too strong for the Danes here and even though the first leg performance wasn’t really convincing, I expect Krasnodar to turn the notch here and secure the advancement to the next stage..
MY PICK: Krasnodar to win (+129)
Fola (Lux) vs. Ostersunds (Swe)
Three-Way: 1: Fola +300; X: +258; Ostersunds +114
Spread +0.5: Fola -120; Ostersunds +114
Total +2.5: Over +119; Under -120
FOLA
It’s a big surprise that the Luxembourgian side is still in the mix this far into the Europa League qualification rounds. First leg on the road could’ve gone better way but a 1:0 loss keeps the door open for the team and I’m sure that they’ll do anything in their power to try to stay alive after this stage.
During the offseason, they promoted five players from their U19 team to the first team and they also signed seven new players. Most notable addition was midfielder Corentin Kocur, a twenty one years old French-Belgian national who came from Mouscron on a free transfer. Seven players left the team while two were sent on a loan spells (winger Andre Ferreira and striker Basile Camerling). Left-back Cedric Sarcas will be unavailable for Thursday because of an ankle injury.
OSTERSUNDS
The Swedish team performed a biggest surprise in this year’s Europa League competition so far by eliminating the Turkish giant Galatasaray (3:1 on aggregate) who was considered to be one of the favorites for winning the competition.
Now they face the team that can be considered as a relatively weaker opponent but there will be no time for getting out of focus if they want to go further.
During the offseason the team was inactive on the transfer market as no new players were signed but three guys left, including the twenty six years old right-back Tim Bjorkstrom who returned to his home club Djurgardens after his loan spell ended. English head coach Graham Potter will have entire roster at his disposal for Thursday.
Fola (Lux) vs. Ostersunds (Swe) – Match Prediction:
I give the advantage to the guests in this matchup because they’ve proven to be in-form over the last couple of games. Also, a wise choice would be less than 2.5 goals in total as Ostersunds seem to be the stronger team that can keep the game in their control and since they already have the advantage, I don’t think that they’ll go full speed.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-120)
Sion (Sui) vs. Suduva (Ltu)
Three-Way: 1: Sion -303; X: +490; Suduva +1100
Spread -1.5: Sion -109; Suduva +104
Total +2.5: Over -133; Under +123
SION
The team that ended the last season ranked fourth in the Premier League of Switzerland entered the competition in this third Europa League qualification round and got grounded right away as they lost the first leg matchup against the Lithuanian opponent, 3:0. It’s hard to believe that they can get back from this kind of blow but in soccer, everything is possible.
Team sold one of their last season best players, right midfielder Chadrac Akolo to VfB Stuttgart for 6 Million Euros. On the other side, two defenders were added to the team, Italian youngster Federico Dimarco who came from Inter for a fee of 4 Million Euros and Paulo Ricardo who came from Brazilian side Santos FC for a fee of 500.000 Euros. Dimarco (foot), Eray Cumart (shoulder), Carlitos (unknown) and Fredd Mveng (unknown) will not be available on Thursday.
SUDUVA
The Lithuanians managed to snatch one of the biggest wins on the European stage in club’s history, against a very strong opponent, 3:0 in the first leg at home soil. The scorers were Paulo Ricardo (own goal), Paulius Janusauskas and Karolis Laukzemis, providing their team with a solid deposit in front of the second leg rematch in Switzerland.
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 side Zeljeznicar on a free transfer. Manager Vladimir Cheburin has his entire roster available at the moment.
Sion (Sui) vs. Suduva (Ltu) – Match Prediction:
I think that this matchup will feature at least three goals. It’s hard to imagine that the Swiss side will go down with no shots fired but I also think that this attacking style that must be conducted will create opportunities for the Lithuanians to hurt their hosts via counterattacks. Over 2.5 goals in total makes perfect sense.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-133)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score (+129)
