The UEFA Europa League is ready to showcase another exciting Thursday afternoon with plenty of football action on schedule across the Old Continent. Lithuanian sides Suduva and Trakai play hosts to FK Liepaja and Norrkoping from Latvia and Sweden respectively. Finnish side VPS will entertain Danish club Brondby who will be looking to finish the tie and progress further. On the other side, Cyprus based club Larnaca will welcome Cork City from Ireland hoping to maintain their lead and win the match.
SUDUVA (LTU) vs. FK LIEPAJA (LAT)
Three-way: 1: Suduva +112; X: +238 Draw; 2: FK Liepaja +278
Spread -0.5: Suduva +110; FK Liepaja -120
Total +2.5: Over +127; Under -145
SUDUVA (LTU)
Currently sitting at third place, Suduva finished their last league campaign at the same position, at third, with a nine points gap from the second ranked team. They scored 55 goals in 33 matches, while conceding 26 i.e. they had the best defense in the league.
In the first round of the qualifiers, Suduva barely manage to win the tie as they progressed with a 2:1 aggregate victory after a scoreless away draw. Currently, they have been on an unbeaten run for the past 5 games, with 2 draws and 3 wins.
Suduva has signed the Bosnian defender Semir Kerla and Lithuanian midfielder Karolis Chvedukas to strengthen the squad further.
FK LIEPAJA (LAT)
Currently sitting at the second position in the domestic league, Liepaja had finished their previous season in 4th place. They managed to score 38 goals in 28 matches, while conceding 31.
They staged an impressive comeback when they clawed back from a 3:1 away defeat against Crusaders to win 2:0 at home and progress on away goals. Before this tie, they lost 1:0 at home against Metta in the league.
Their signings in the transfer window have been Russian fullback Stanislav Lebamba, Latvian attacker Girts Karlsons and Russian youngster Luka Zviadadze, all joining on free transfers.
SUDUVA (LTU) vs. FK LIEPAJA (LAT) – Match Prediction:
This match promises to be a close affair as both the teams are capable of causing problems. However, Suduva already holds a lead of two away goals, and hence, are in the driving seat for progression to next round of the Europa League. Moreover, this being a home match for the Lithuanian team, I would put my money on a home win.
MY PICK: SUDUVA (+112)
TRAKAI (LTU) vs. NORRKOPING (SWE)
Three-Way: 1: Trakai +330; X: +277 Draw; 2: Norrkoping -108
Spread +0.5: Trakai -101; Noorkoping -110
Total +2.5: Over -116; Under +104
TRAKAI (LTU)
Sitting in the second spot in the domestic league table, Trakai finished last season at the same position, nine points off the top. They scored 55 goals, and had the best defense in the league, with just 26 goals conceded in 33 matches.
Before the first leg of the Europa League second round, they comfortably defeated St Johnston by scores of 1:2 and 1:0 to ensure progression to the next round.
NORRKOPING (SWE)
The Swedish club has continued where it left of last season, as they finished third in the league, just missing out on the second spot due to inferior goal difference to the second placed Solna. Norrkoping scored 59 goals, while conceding 37 goals in 30 matches.
In the first round of the Europa League, they defeated Prishtina with a comfortable margin of 6:0 on aggregate (5:0 and 0:1). Both the clean sheets show a stable defense.
TRAKAI (LTU) vs. NORRKOPING (SWE) – Match prediction:
The first leg was a close affair. However, Norrkoping stood their ground and earned a 2:1 win. Even though it is an away match for the Swedish side, I feel they will not lose this one, and instead come out with a win. Therefore, my prediction will be an away win in a low scoring encounter.
MY PICK: NORRKOPING (-108)
VPS (FIN) vs. BRONDBY (DEN)
Three-Way: 1: VPS +877; X: +401 Draw; 2: Brondby -227
Spread +1.5: VPS -123; Brondby +112
Total +2.5: Over -137; Under +134
VPS (FIN)
Last season, VPS just about managed to get in the top four in the domestic league and hence get into the Europa League qualification rounds. They scored 36 goals, while conceding 27 in the entire league season of 33 matches.
They showed that the Finnish team can shut out opponents in the first leg, as they won both the legs of the tie, by the score 1:0. This also shows that they aren’t the most prolific when it comes to scoring goals.
BRONDBY (DEN)
The ten time Danish champion finished the last season ranked second, as they were well beaten to the league title by FC Copenhagen. Even though they had the second best attack that scored 52 goals in 26 matches, it was their average defense that lost them the title, as they conceded 23 goals in the same period.
Before the start of the season, Brondby played 5 friendly matches, out of which they lost one, while winning the other four. They scored 10 goals in this duration, while conceding five time.
They have already made a statement signing by buying German youngster Hany Mukhtar from Benfica for 1.5 million Euros they have also singed Besar Halimi from Mainz on loan for the season, along with Leipzig reserve keeper Benjamin Bellot, who has been bought for 100 thousand Euros.
VPS (FIN) vs. BRONDBY (DEN) – Match Prediction:
Even though this match is at home for VPS, they don’t stand much chance to win this one. Brondby has made the better signings, has been in better form and also won the first leg by a comfortable 2:0. Therefore, Brondby should come out on top in this and advance into the next round of the Europa League competition.
MY PICK: BRONDBY AH +1.5 (+112)
AEK LARNACA (CYP) vs. CORK CITY (IRL)
Three-Way: 1: AEK Larnaca -135; X: +276 Draw; 2: Cork City +442
Spread -0.5: AEK Larnaca -137; Cork City +119
Total +2.5: Over +123; Under -143
AEK LARNACA
The club missed the top spot in the domestic league by just four points last season. Larnaca scored 54 goals, while conceding 19 across the 26 matches of the league campaign.
In the first round of the Europa League qualifications, AEK Larnaca comfortably ran out as the winners, as shown by the 6:1 aggregate score against Lincoln Red Imps. However, in the away match, they were able to only manage a 1:1 draw.
In the transfer window, they have signed midfielder Nacho Cases from Gijon and youngster Carles Soria from Espanyol, both on free transfers.
CORK CITY (IRL)
Cork City eventually fell a bit too short in their run for the title last season, and hence finished at the second position in the domestic league last year. The scored an impressive 65 goals, while conceding the lowest in the league for the season-23 goals in the campaign of 33 matches.
The Irish club defeated Levadia in the first round of the Europa League qualifiers by the scores of 2:0 and 4:2, hence winning both matches.
The only transfer arrival this season has been young Irish winger Kieran Sadlier for an unknown fee.
AEK LARNACA (CYP) vs. CORK CITY (IRL) – Match Prediction:
The first match was a tight affair but Larnaca managed to get a good grip and snatch a win. Now, as this is a home game for the Cyprus based team, who already holds an away goal advantage, there is no doubt that the visitors from Ireland will have a tough task of digging themselves out of the hole.
With that being said, my slight advantage goes to the home team and it could easily turn out to be a low scoring match.
MY PICK: AEK LARNACA (-135)
Additional Pick. Under 2.5 goals (-143)
