This Thursday, Limassol will welcome Niedercorn, while Swedish club AIK play host to Zeljeznicar from Bosnia-Herzegovina. On the other side, Norway based Brann will entertain Ruzomberok from Slovakia, while Altach visits Brest in Belarus. All these teams will be playing out their strongest possible sides to ensure their progression to the next round of the Europa League.
AEL LIMASSOL (CYP) vs. NIEDERCORN (LUX)
Three-way: 1: AEL Limassol -526; X: +660 Draw; 2: Niedercorn +2125
Spread -2: AEL Limassol -101; Niedercorn -106
Total +3: Over +104; Under -120
AEL LIMASSOL
Limassol missed out on the second spot in the domestic league last year by just a solitary point, against Larnaca. They scored 56 goals and conceded 19 in 26 matches, thus having the second best stats in both attack and defense.
AEL were absolutely rampant in the first round of the Europa League qualifiers, as they defeated St Joseph’s 0:4 away and 6:0 at home. Prior to that, they also won two club friendlies.
In the transfer market, they have already made a few signings, all of them being on free transfers. Keeper Vozinha, Portuguese youngster Andre Teixeira, along with Porto talent Fidelis Irhene have all been recruited ahead of the new season.
NIEDERCORN (LUX)
Niedercorn finished fourth in the league last season. They managed to score 57 goals, and conceded 38 goals in the entire league duration of 26 matches.
They staged an impressive comeback in the first round of the Europa League qualifiers after losing the away tie 1:0 against to Rangers. They managed to win 2:0 at home and progress to the second round, pulling one of the biggest upsets of the qualifications.
Niedercorn have signed some young players across various positions. French forward Theo Sully, local full backs Yann Matias, Mike Schneider along with defender Ben Vogel and Keeper Muamer Mahmutovic have all been signed on free transfers this transfer window.
AEL LIMASSOL (CYP) vs. NIEDERCORN (LUX) – Match Prediction:
Looking at the score line of the first leg, one might suggest this will be a close match. However, AEL was clearly superior that day, and they also have an away goal advantage towards them. Therefore, my prediction will be a comfortable home win.
MY PICK: AEL Limassol AH -2 (-101)
AIK (SWE) vs. ZELJEZNICAR (BiH)
Three-way: 1: AIK -200; X: +330 Draw; 2: Zeljeznicar +822
Spread -1: AIK -116; Zeljeznicar +102
Total +2: Over -135; Under +129
AIK (SWE)
AIK has continued from where they left off last season, as the club is placed at second position in the 2017 season in the Allsvenskan. Last year, they fell short by 6 points for the title. They had the joint best defense, as they let in 26 goals in 30 matches, along with Malmo.
In the first round of the Europa League qualifiers, the Swedish club thrashed KI on a final score of 5:0, even though all five goals were scored in the home leg.
Argentine forward Nicolas Stefanelli, Finnish midfielder Robert Taylor, and Swedish left back Rasmus Lindkvist have all joined the club for unknown fees.
ZELJEZNICAR (BiH)
Last league campaign was an agonizing one for Zeljeznicar as they narrowly missed out on the league trophy by just one point. They scored 41 goals in 32 matches, while having the best defense in the league that conceded just 22 goals in the league season.
The first round of the Europa League qualifiers were not really an easy ride for the Bosnian team, as only a 1:0 lead in the first game helped them qualify clearly, as they drew the second match 2:2 against Zeta.
Bosnian winger Asim Zec, midfielder Sinan Ramovic, and striker Dzenan Zajmovic have all joined the squad on free transfers.
AIK (SWE) vs. ZELJEZNICAR (BiH) – Match Prediction:
Even if the first leg was a scoreless draw between both these teams, the first round matches show that AIK can be quite lethal in return legs at home. They are going into this return fixture as the huge favorite, but I wouldn’t count off the visitors that easily. Therefore, my safer bet is to go with the under.
MY PICK: Under 2 goals (+129)
BRANN (NOR) vs. RUZOMBEROK (SVK)
Three-Way: 1: Brann -189; X: +325 Draw; 2: Ruzomberok +700
Spread -1: Brann -109; Ruzomberok +106
Total +2+5: Over +112; Under -130
BRANN (NOR)
Brann had an impressive season last year in the league, as they managed to secure second place in the national league. They scored 42 goals in 30 matches, while having the second best defensive stats in the league, as they conceded 27 goals.
Currently at 4th position in the league, they have been winless for the last four matches in the competition. Their last match was a 0:1 loss against Sarpsborg on Sunday, 16th July.
RUZOMBEROK (SVK)
Ruzomberok finished last league season at third position, as they missed out a direct entry to the second round by five points. They scored 58 goals in the league, which was the second best in the league, while conceding 39 goals in 32 matches.
The first round was tough one for the Slovakian team, as they had to fight back from a 2:1 away defeat, and win 2:0 in the home leg against Vojvodina to seal progression to the next round of the Europa League qualifications.
Albanian midfielder Kristi Qose and Slovakian winger Dominik Kunca have both joined the club on free transfers.
BRANN (NOR) vs. RUZOMBEROK (SVK) – Match Prediction:
Brann already holds one goal lead in the tie, and considering the fact that it was an away goal, they are well in the driving seat. Also looking at the current form of both the teams, it is safe to say that a home win is the most likely outcome. Therefore, my prediction will be a home win for Brann.
MY PICK: Brann AH -1 (-109)
BREST (BLR) vs. ALTACH (AUT)
Three-Way: 1: Brest +189; X: +231 Draw; 2: Altach +175
Spread 0: Brest +104; Altach -108
Total +2.5: Over +125; Under -137
BREST (BLR)
Brest had a disappointing season in the league last year, but they earned qualification to the Qualifiers by winning the Belarusian cup. Currently they are tenth in the league, after scoring 17 and conceding 17 in 15 matches in 2017.
They are currently on a four match unbeaten run, and their last match before the first leg was a cup match, where they won 4:1 against Smorgon.
They have signed Ukrainian striker Artem Milevsky, and local players Pavel Nekhajchik and keeper Rudenok, all on free transfers.
ALTACH (AUT)
Altach managed to secure a top four place last season by finishing fourth in the league by 7 points. They were average in both sides of the pitch, as they scored 46 goals and conceded 49 in the league in 36 matches.
The first round of the qualifiers saw Altach qualify due to a 1:0 away win in the first leg, prior to a 1:1 draw at home.
They have signed Austrian players Adrian Grbic, midfielder Stefan Nutz, and winger Kristijan Dobras, all on free transfers.
BREST (BLR) vs. ALTACH (AUT) – Match Prediction:
After the first leg draw between both the teams, it became clear that this is a matchup between equally strong teams. This one could be also a low scoring matchup, so I am taking the under here as well.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-137)
