Play-off round rematches of the UEFA Europa League will be played during the week and we’re all looking forward to find out the names of the squads that will join the likes of Arsenal, Lyon and Lazio in the group stage of this competition.
Apollon (Cyp) vs. Midtjylland (Den)
Three-Way: 1: Apollon +122; X: +250 Draw; 2: Midtjylland +266
Spread -0.5: Apollon +120; Midtjylland -130
Total +2.5: Over +106; Under -114
Apollon
Apollon edged past the third Europa League qualifying round opponents as they overcame a 2:1 deficit from the first leg by winning 2:0 at home in the second. Following a dull game, one of the only moments of excitement came as the second goal was scored by Emilio Zelaya, just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Apollon will have to step up their game again to qualify for the Europa League group stage of the competition, especially since this is their first chance in the playoff round since the 2014-15 season.
Apollon has had a busy offseason having signed twelve players, while seventeen have left including central-midfielder Hamza Barry who left to Hajduk Split. Manager Sofronis Avgousti will have a full squad roster for selection.
Midtjylland
A climactic tie with Arka Gdynia will be having Midtjylland fans, players and manager alike pinching themselves to make sure they aren’t dreaming. The excitement is as a result of a 93rd-minute goal from Alexander Sorloth of Midtjylland, meaning that they went through on away goals and 4:4 on aggregate and elation for the Danish side while heartbreak for their opposition.
Midtjylland will be hoping to reduce the stress levels that were reached and defeat a team who are more or less equals.
Midtjylland has made eight additions to their squad this summer, including goal-scorer Alexander Sorloth from FC Groningen, while ten players left. Manager Jess Thorup will be without Rasmus Nicolaisen after he went under a Knee operation.
Apollon (Cyp) vs. Midtjylland (Den) – Match Prediction:
Both teams only scraped through the last Europa League round with high-scoring games, and believe that the teams are very even. With Midtjylland having already started their league, where as their opponents have not, they will be slightly more match-fit and have the slight edge but will play away from home.
For those reasons, I would go for a high-scoring draw.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (+106)
Additional PICK: DRAW (+250)
BATE (Blr) vs. Oleksandriya (Ukr)
Three-Way: 1: BATE -102; X: +243 Draw; 2: Oleksandriya +359
Spread -0.5: BATE -101; Oleksandriya -105
Total +2: Over -122; Under +110
BATE
BATE qualified for the Europa League play-off round after a disappointing loss to Sparta Praha in the Champions League third qualifying round, losing on away goals while rarely threatening the goal with just 3 shots on target over the two legs. Last season, BATE entered the play-off round of the Europa League in the same way by losing inexplicably to Irish side Dundalk in the Champions League qualifying round but lost to Astana in the playoffs.
BATE will be expected to right their wrongs and qualify against a weaker side, especially with forward talent like Mikhail Gordejchuk who scored 13 times in 29 games last season.
During the offseason, BATE has signed 3 players, including central-midfielder Stanislav Dragun on a free transfer while five men have left the team as a free agent. Manager Aleksandr Yermakovich will have a full squad roster for selection other than Evgeni Yablonski who is suspended through a red card.
Oleksandriya
A plucky Oleksandriya side defeated opponents, Astra, after they scored the only goal of the tie, which was a penalty scored on home turf; this was also their only win in their last nine games.
Currently, this season is the furthest the Ukrainian side have ever been in a European competition, having qualified for European football for the first time last year, but were knocked out in the Europa League third qualifying round. Oleksandriya will need a lot of luck to progress to the group stage.
During the offseason, Oleksandriya has signed seven players, while nine have left. Manager Volodymyr Sharan will have a full squad selection.
BATE (Blr) vs. Oleksandriya (Ukr) – Match Prediction:
It’s difficult to see anything but BATE rolling over their opponents as they simply have more talent and quality across their squad. I would go for a win by a number of goals too.
MY PICK: BATE AH – 0.5 (-101)
Dinamo Zagreb (Cro) vs. Skenderbeu (Alb)
Three-Way: 1: Zagreb -333; X: +501 Draw; 2: Skenderbeu +3300
Spread -1.5: Zagreb -119; Skenderbeu +112
Total +2.5: Over -105; Under +100
Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb can consider themselves lucky as they performed well below expectations as they beat Odds BK 2:1 with all goals scored in the first leg. With talent like the starlet attacking-midfielder Ante Coric, winger El Arbi Hillel Soudani and forward Armin Hodzic who all scored 37 league goals between them last season, nothing but qualification will do for their fans. In addition, Dinamo Zagreb has qualified for a major European competition every year since the 2006-07 season.
Zagreb’s summer has seen three new arrivals, while nine have left including central-midfielder Marko Rog to Napoli for 12.8 million euros. Richmond Cvitanovic will be without Dani Olmo through a card suspension while Arijan Ademi is serving a doping ban.
Skenderbeu
In vast contrast to their opponents, Skenderbeu has taken the long route starting in the first qualifying round of the Europa League, storming past Sant Julia, then Kairat in the second round, while sneaking past opponents Mlada Boleslav after defeating them on penalties after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate in the third. Skenderbeu has been fortunate to reach this stage but will need the fortune from the gods to defeat their next opponents.
Saying that the Albanian side has reached the UEFA Europa League group stage once before in the 2015-16 season, after being defeated by none other than Dinamo Zagreb convincingly 6:2 on aggregate in the UEFA Champions League play-off, meaning that they qualified for the lesser competition instead.
Six men have come in for the Albanian side, while ten have left. Manager Ilir Daja will have a full squad roster to select from as there are no injuries or suspensions.
Dinamo Zagreb (Cro) vs. Skenderbeu (Alb) – Match Prediction:
I would expect an overwhelming win for Dinamo Zagreb, they are simply on a different level to Skenderbeu and it would be a huge shock if they don’t progress. Expect a win by a few goals for Zagreb.
MY PICK: Dynamo Zagreb –1.5 AH (-119)
Krasnodar (Rus) vs. FK Crvena Zvezda (Srb)
Three-Way: 1: Krasnodar -152; X: +305 Draw; 2: Zvezda +575
Spread -1: Krasnodar +116; Zvezda -127
Total +2.5: Over +129; Under -132
Krasnodar
Russian side Krasnodar qualified directly for the playoffs after finishing 4th in the Russian Premier League last season, but have been in terrible form in the new season as they have been left in 13th place after seven league games.
Having only won once will be a big concern for manager Igor Shalimov, but a double tie against a weaker side may be just what the team needs to turn their fortunes around. Furthermore, to add to their confidence Krasnodar have qualified for the Europa League group stage for the last three seasons, reaching the round of 16 last season.
During the offseason, the Russian side signed seven players, including winger Wanderson from RB Salzburg for 8 million euros, while seven players left the team. Igor Shalimov will be without Tornike Okriashvili (Ruptured cruciate ligament), Stanislav Kritsyuk (Knee) and Fedor Smolov (Hamstring) through injury.
FK Crvena Zvezda
FK Crvena Zvezda has been in emphatic form coming into Thursday’s game, having been unbeaten in ten games winning eight, including two wins against Sparta Praha in the third qualifying round comfortably to win 3:0 on aggregate.
Crvena Zvezda is a club of huge stature and serious pedigree in European football having one won the European cup, but their reputation has dwindled in recent years and will not be favorites in Russia. Also, to be considered is that the Serbian side has played four games in the last ten days and may be lacking sharpness.
FK Crvena Zvezda´s summer has seen a number of in and out-goings with a total of fifteen new arrivals and seventeen departures. Manager Vladan Milojević will be without Branko Jovicic (Metatarsal) and Milan Rodic (Finger) but will otherwise have a full squad.
Krasnodar (Rus) vs. FK Crvena Zvezda (Srb) – Match Prediction:
I can see Krasnodar having enough about them to win against their Serbian opponents, but it may be a tighter affair than expected with Crvena Zvezda in such great form.
I would suggest going for the under 2.5 goals in this match.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-132)
