Playoff round rematches of the UEFA Europa League will be played during the week and we’re all looking forward to finding out the names of the squads that will join the likes of Arsenal, Lyon, and Lazio in the group stage of this competition.
Hafnafjordur (Ice) vs. Braga (Por)
Three-Way: 1: Hafnafjordur +531; X: +266 Draw; 2: Braga -133
Spread +0.5: Hafnafjordur +131; Braga -143
Total +2: Over -122; Under +108
Hafnafjordur
The current Icelandic champions qualified for the UEFA Europa League play-off round through losing, expectedly, to FK Maribor 2:0 on aggregate in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Furthermore, the Icelandic side will not be expected to qualify for the competition proper as they have never done so before; add to that that they have so far disappointed in the league, currently sitting in 3rd position after 14 games.
Hafnafjordur has signed two players, including winger Matija Dvornekovic who left to FK Kukesi, while three have left. Manager Heimir Gudjonsson will have a full squad roster for selection, except for Kristjan Floki Finnbogason who has a card suspension.
Braga
A dramatic tie against AIK Solna saw Braga squeeze past their opponents with a 121st-minute extra-time winner from Raul Silva. The Portuguese side will feel that they should have defeated Solna with greater conviction but will be satisfied none the less with their first win of the season, although they are still yet to win a game in 90 minutes.
Having qualified for the Europa League for the last two seasons, Braga fans will be expectant of a repeat qualification entry. Furthermore, in 2011 Braga reached the final of the Europa League but were ultimately defeated by rivals Porto.
Braga has made ten additions to their squad this summer, while thirteen players left, notably, central-midfielder Xeke who has joined Lille for 5.5 million euros. Manager Abel Ferreira will be without Mauro (knee), Marafona (knee), Tiago Pereira (meniscus), Ricardo Ferreira (thigh), Diego Sousa (thigh) and Wilson Eduardo (abductor’s muscle) through injury.
Hafnafjordur (Ice) vs. Braga (Por) – Match Prediction:
Braga is the far superior team and will win, permitting a miracle. However, Braga will take the game easy as they will have some tired legs.
Braga will win but I’m not fully confident that it will be by many goals.
MY PICK: Braga to WIN (-133)
PAOK (Gre) vs. Ostersunds (Swe)
Three-Way: 1: PAOK -185; X: +325 Draw; 2: Ostersunds +780
Spread -1: PAOK -106; Ostersunds +106
Total +2.5: Over +125; Under -132
PAOK
The two-times Greek Championship winners qualified straight to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League through winning the Greek Cup, and fairly comfortably defeated their opponents Olimpik Donetsk in the third round 3:1 on aggregate.
PAOK fans will be expecting further progress due to having qualified for the Europa League every season since the 2012-13 season, including a run to the last 32 last season; and the fact they are clear favorites against their opponents.
During the offseason, PAOK has signed six players, while a massive list of twenty-one men have left the team. Manager Razvan Lucescu will be without winger Giannis Mystakidis and Panagiotis Glykos for his selection, as both have Cruciate Ligament Ruptures.
Ostersunds
Ostersunds qualified for European competition this year for the first time in their history after winning the Svenska Cupen, also for the first time. Furthermore, they won their first European tie as they won twice against Fola Esch with a 3:1 aggregate score.
Moreover, the Swedish side are in decent form domestically as they sit in 7th place, but are well below the standard for European competition proper; it has to be said that another first, by qualifying for the group stage, for Ostersunds is more than unlikely.
During the offseason Ostersunds have signed four players, while one has left on loan. Manager Graham Potter will have a full squad selection for Thursday’s game.
PAOK (Gre) vs. Ostersunds (Swe) – Match Prediction:
The reasons for a PAOK win are overwhelming, especially when you look at their history. Furthermore, PAOK should easily have the quality to overcome Ostersunds and will win comfortably.
MY PICK: PAOK AH -1 (-106)
Vardar (Mac) vs. Fenerbahce (Tur)
Three-Way: 1: Vardar +550; X: +300 Draw; 2: Fenerbahce -141
Spread +1: Vardar -116; Fenerbahce +108
Total +2.5: Over -112; Under +112
Vardar
The Vardar team can count themselves unlucky after being knocked out of the Champions League qualifying rounds, as they have been dealt a tough hand as they will have to play Fenerbahce in the third qualifying round.
A further worry for the Macedonian side will be their loss in the last game, the first game of in the league season. Furthermore, they have never qualified for the Europa League nor the Champions League
Vardar’s summer has seen two new arrivals, while five have left including central-forward Jonathan Balotelli to Al-Gharafa. Manager Goce Sedloski will have a full squad roster.
Fenerbahce
The 19-times Turkish Super League winners qualified for the Europa League third qualifying round after finishing 3rd in their domestic League. They’ve since gone on to edge past Sturm Graz in the third round and will now be expected by their fans to progress further, especially since they have reached the knockout rounds in the last two Europa League campaigns. In addition, a team with the likes of Martin Skrtel, Mehmet Topal, Roberto Soldado and Robin Van Persie should have more than enough to make it far in the competition.
Seven men have come in for the Turkish side, including centre-forward Roberto Soldado from Villarreal and Mathieu Valbuena from Olympique Lyon. Manager Aykut Kocaman will be missing Uygar Zeybeck (Cruciate Ligament Rupture), Ferndao (Ulnar), Mehmet Ekici (Calf) and Yigithan Guveli (Cruciate Ligament) all through injury.
Vardar (Mac) vs. Fenerbahce (Tur) – Match Prediction:
Fenerbahce are a good side this year and I believe they will make the knockout rounds of the Europa League again. Therefore, I would expect Fenerbache to get the win over their opponents.
MY PICK: Fenerbahce to WIN (-141)
Plzen (Cze) vs. AEK Larnaca (Cyp)
Three-Way: 1: Plzen -130; X: +285 Draw; 2: AEK Larnaca +780
Spread –0.5: Plzen -135; AEK Larnaca +129
Total +2.5: Over +134; Under -133
Plzen
Viktoria Plzen qualified for the play-off round of the Europa League after they were knocked out by a superior Steaua Bucaresti in the Champions League third qualifying round. Despite the disappointment of an early knockout, Plzen has won their first 3 league games, placing them nicely at the top of the Czech League table. Additionally, the Czech side has an excellent record of qualifying for the Europa League, having qualified in each of the last five seasons.
During the offseason, Plzen signed six players, including central-midfielder Ales Cermak from Sparta Praha for 1 million euros, while eight players left the team. Manager Pavel Vrba will be without Marian Cisovsky (virus), Matus Kozacik (knee), Jan Kovarik (ankle), Roman Hubnik (muscle), David Limbersky (muscle) through injury, while Michael Krmencik is suspended after being sent off against Steaua Bucuresti in their second leg.
AEK Larnaca
The 3-times Cypriot Championship winners have reached the play-offs the hard way, starting their journey in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. First, Larnaca stormed past Lincoln Red Imps, then Cork City, and in the third round they comfortably passed Dinamo Minsk to reach the play-offs. This is the third time in their history that the Cypriot side have made this round in their 23 year history, but have only won the play-offs once, consequently being knocked out in the group stage; it would be a sensational result if they were to make it through again.
AEK Larnaca’s summer has seen a large number of in and out-goings with a total of fifteen new arrivals and seventeen departures. Manager Imanol Idiakez will be without keeper Ruben Miño through injury and forward Florian Taulemesse through suspension, but will otherwise have a full squad.
Plzen (Cze) vs. AEK Larnaca (Cyp) – Match Prediction:
Plzen have history and quality on their side and it’s difficult to see Larnaca getting a result away from home.
I would suggest betting on a simple Plzen win.
MY PICK: Plzen to WIN (-130)
