AC Milan will visit Shkendija in a tie that is almost certainly a dead rubber, while Crvena Zvezda will play hosts to Russian club Krasnodar hoping to defeat them and reach the group stage of the Europa League. On the other hand, Hajduk will entertain the English club Everton for a tough fixture ahead, while Osijek visits Austria to face Austria Vienna.
SHKENDIJA (MAC) vs. AC MILAN (ITA)
Three-way: 1: Shkendija +1000; X: +509 Draw; 2: AC Milan -256
Spread +1.5: Shkendija +104; AC Milan -108
Total +3: Over -106; Under -102
SHKENDIJA (MAC)
The club seems to be intent on making sure that they do not finish second best in the league this year, as they have got off to good start in the domestic league. With two matches played, Shkendija has won both of them, and in some fashion too. They have already scored 5 goals, while keeping a clean sheet in both matches, as they have witnessed good early signs in their quest for the league title.
Their Europa League campaign so far has seen the team win emphatically, and then dig in and edge out results too. In the first round, they thrashed Dacia by 3:0 and 0:4 in both the rounds. In the next round, they showed incredible effectiveness as they dispatched HJK by 3:1 at home, and drew 1:1 away. In the third round of the Europa League qualifications, they had to show their character as they recovered from a 2:1 away defeat against Trakai to win 3:0 at home and win the tie on aggregate.
They have signed defender Olso Teqja from KF Tirana on a free transfer in the summer, while also bringing in keepers Ilir Avdyli and Bekim Redzepi for unknown fees from Llapi and Teteks Tetovo respectively.
AC MILAN (ITA)
The Italian giants have been intent on making a comeback to the very top of Italian football, as they have had some extremely disappointing seasons in the past few years. However, after the Chinese takeover in the summer, and a massive injection of cash, they look set to do it. They were very good in their opening league fixture against Crotone on Sunday as they defeated them in a comfortable 0:3 away win.
The previous round of the Europa League competition was a comfortable match up for Milan against CSU Craiova. The first leg was a 0:1 win, where the score line could have been a lot bigger. This match was followed by a more comfortable 2:0 win at home, which ensured their passage to the next round.
Milan has been frantic, to say the least in the transfer market, as they use the newly injected funds to bring in much-needed quality in their squad. So far, they have spent a total of 180 million Euros, to bring in players like Bonucci, Andre Silva, Andrea Conti, Calhanoglu, Mateo Musacchio, Ricardo Rodriguez and Lucas Biglia, while bringing in Frank Kessie and Fabio Borini on a Loan deal for 2 years and 1 year respectively.
SHKENDIJA (MAC) vs. AC MILAN (ITA) – Match Prediction:
Common feeling regarding this match is that it is a dead rubber. The first leg was a total massacre for Shkendija who lost 6:0 against the hosts on that day. However, as they are at home for this match, they will at least try to get something for the fans. Nevertheless, it won’t be enough to trouble Milan. Although this match is pretty much decided, I expect an open game with a lot of goals so the Over seems like a reasonable option to bet on.
MY PICK: Over 3 goals (-106)
FK CRVENA ZVEZDA (SRB) vs. KRASNODAR (RUS)
Three-way: 1: FK Crvena Zvezda +165; X: +260 Draw; 2: Krasnodar +188
Spread 0: FK Crvena Zvezda -116; Krasnodar +110
Total +2.5: Over -125; Under +114
FK CRVENA ZVEZDA (SRB)
They have started their season on a very promising note, as they look to make sure that they do not let inconsistency cost them the title, as it did last year when they finished 2nd. In the opening 6 matches of the league campaign, Zvezda has been unbeaten. They have won 5, and drew 1, as they are on the top. During this period, they have conceded just 1 goal, while scoring an impressive 16 goals.
The Europa League campaign has seen them both struggle and edge through matches and put in commanding performances. In the first round, they defeated Floriana by 3:0 at home, which was followed by an entertaining 3:3 draw away. In the second round, they held Irtysh 1:1 away, and returned home to defeat them 2:0. The last round saw them put in professional performances as they defeated Sparta Praha by 2:0 and 0:1 in both the rounds.
They have brought in Serbian midfielders Aleksander Pesic and Branko Jovicic, and full backs Milan Rodic and Marko Gobeljic for just 1.6 million Euros in total. They have also brought in Ludogorets keeper Milan Borjan, 1860 Munich defender Filip Stojkovic and winger Gojkov from Beograd on free transfers.
KRASNODAR (RUS)
The Russian club finished 4th last season and hence were able to bag a spot in the Europa League Qualifiers. However, the early season signs do not really show any improvement in their results and performances. With 7 matches already played in the Russian Premier Liga, Krasnodar is in the 5th position, due to their topsy-turvy start. They have won 3 games, drawn 3, and lost one. They haven’t been too effective in any end of the field, as they have scored 9 goals while conceding 7 in these matches.
Krasnodar showed some staunch defending and counter attacking ability as they defeated Lyngby in both the legs of the previous round. The first leg was a 2:1 at home, as they just lost their concentration to concede one, while similarly, they finished 1:3 away, as they showed real attacking intent to progress.
They have brought Salzburg winger Wanderson for 8 million in the current transfer window. Along with the youngster, they have also brought winger Andrei Ivan from Craiova for 3 million Euros and Mihailo Ristic for 2 million from their to be opponents Red Star Belgrade.
FK CRVENA ZVEZDA (SRB) vs. KRASNODAR (RUS) – Match prediction:
This match up looks like an even contest, with both the teams capable of handling each other’s team in attack and defense. However, Crvena Zvezda has been having a more consistent run of good results as compared to their Russian opponents. And moreover, they have the home ground advantage too. So my prediction for this match will be a home win.
MY PICK: FK CRVENA ZVEZDA to win (+165)
HAJDUK SPLIT (CRO) vs. EVERTON (ENG)
Three-way: 1: Hajduk Split +260; X: +265 Draw; 2: Everton +135
Spread +0.5: Hajduk Split -133; Everton +127
Total +2.5: Over +121; Under -127
HAJDUK SPLIT (CRO)
After a disappointing season in the league last year, when they finished third, and a long way off the second placed team, Hajduk has shown some decent amount of form in the league so far, as they sit in 2nd position, just 3 points off the top after six games. During this period, they have scored 13 goals while conceding 7.
They haven’t really been swashbuckling in any of the Europa League qualifying round matches, but have had just about enough of them to win the matches and move on to the subsequent rounds. In the second round of the qualifiers, they defeated Levski Sofia by the scores of 1:0 at home and 1:2 away. Then in the next round, they recovered and went on to win the home tie against Brondby by 2:0.
They have spent 250k Euros on midfielder Hamza Barry from Limassol. They have also added midfielders Radosevic from Salzburg and Gentsoglu from Bari, along with the teenage striker Franko Kovacevic from Rijeka and left back Fomitschow from Nijmegen, with all these players joining on free transfers.
EVERTON (ENG)
Last season could be considered a strong campaign, as they finished 7th and regularly knocked on the doors of the top 6 in the premier league. They might as well have finished in the top six, but a few blips in their campaign prevented that from happening. They have started the league in a decent manner, with former Prodigy Wayne Rooney scoring both the goals as they have scored two goals in two games, and conceded one. In these games, they have won one, and drew the other.
The previous Europa League round was a bit concerning for Everton, as they could only manage 1 goal in each of their matches against Ruzomberok, as they won both the matches by the score of 1:0. However, they have to be positive about the fact that the defense seems to have gelled in together.
They have had arguably the best transfer window in Europe, along with AC Milan. Their latest signing has been the Iceland Wizard Gylfi Sigurdsson for a massive sum of 49 million Euros. They have spent an additional 101 million Euros to bring in Keeper Jordan Pickford, defender Michael Keane, midfielder Davy Klasen, young winger Henry Onyekeru and Spanish forward Sandro Ramirez.
HAJDUK SPLIT (CRO) vs. EVERTON (ENG) – Match Prediction:
On paper, this match looks to be a comfortable win for Everton, as they have better players, more experience, and a two goal first leg lead. Everton are away, and hence will need to be a bit careful, but that shouldn’t deter them from going all out attack in the game and grab three points.
MY PICK: EVERTON to win (+135)
AUSTRIA VIENNA (AUT) vs. OSIJEK (CRO)
Three-way: 1: Austria Vienna +116; X: +266 Draw; 2: Osijek +280
Spread -0.5: Austria Vienna +106; Osijek -118
Total +2.5: Over -103; Under -101
AUSTRIA VIENNA (AUT)
Vienna was pretty well last season as they finished second in the league table. However, this year, the early results do not paint a very positive picture. They have had a mixed start so far, as out of the five matches played, they have won 2, drawn 1, and lost 2. During this stretch of league games, they have scored 9 goals and conceded 9.
In the previous Europa League round, Vienna was up against a strong and sturdy AEL who were determined to qualify. However, Vienna held on, as they first drew the match 0:0 at home, followed by a 2:1 away win.
They have signed Austrian Centre-forwards Kevin Friesenbichler from Benfica B and Christoph Monschein from Wacker for a total sum of 700 thousand Euros and 600 thousand Euros respectively. They have also added Ajax defender Heiko Westermann on a free transfer.
OSIJEK (CRO)
Osijek flattered to deceive as they failed to build on a strong start to the season and hence could only finish 4th in the league. However, this campaign, they have started off on a strong note, as their first 6 league games have seen them being unbeaten; with 3 wins and 3 draws. They have been decent in attack, as they scored 10 goals in the league in these matches, while also conceding 5 goals.
Osijek has worked its way to the current Europa League round. In the first match up, they defeated Santa Coloma by the score of 4:0 at home and 2:0 at away. In the next round, they continued a 2:0 win against Luzern at home by a 2:1 defeat away. Their last round was against PSV, who also couldn’t break down the defense of Vienna, as both the matches ended 1:0.
They have spent 1 million Euros on the signing of Wingers Eros Grezda and Petar Bockaj from Lokomotiva. They have also added FC Koper Goalkeeper Marijan Antolovic.
AUSTRIA VIENNA (AUT) vs. OSIJEK (CRO) – Match Prediction:
Like most of the matches in the round, this matchup is also going to be a closely fought one, as both the managers look to find a winning formation. However, Osijek has been very efficient and strong at the back. So even though it will be an away match, Osijek should be able to scrape this one through. However, I would rather go with the under.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-101)
