Second qualifying 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 get one step closer to the group stage of this competition.
Winners will be joined by the clubs like Marseille, Zenit St. Petersburg and Everton in the third qualifying round before the final play-off round that will give us the names of 64 teams that shall play in the group stage of the Europa League.
Lech Poznan (Pol) vs. Haugesund (Nor)
Three-Way: 1: Lech Poznan -217; X: +378 Draw; Haugesand +750
Spread -1: Lech Poznan -135; Haugesand +125
Total +2.5: Over -132; Under +129
LECH POZNAN
Lech Poznan´s aspirations are now closer to being realized after scoring 2 crucial away goals in the 1st leg after finding themselves 3:0 down, including a dramatic second; a 93rd minute penalty converted by Darko Jevtić. The Polish team will be aware that just a win will likely be enough to see them through to the next round, and they will be expected to fulfil their desires with ease in front of their home support.
During the offseason, nine new players have arrived and six players left the Polish Cup finalists. Most notable acquisitions were winger Mario Situm who has come on a loan from Dinamo Zagreb and centre-forward Christian Gytkjaer from 1860 Munich, in an attempt to replace the goals lost by the departure of the 20 year-old Dawid Kownacki. Another noteworthy loss was Jan Bednarek, transferred to Southampton for 6 million euros. All players are available for manager Nenad Bjelica´s selection.
HAUGESAND
The Swedish side will have left their home ground with mixed emotions last Thursday night, as they will have been delighted to win the game as the underdogs, yet disappointed that they squandered a possible 3:0 advantage in the 2nd leg. With a spot in the third qualifying round beckoning, further than they have ever been before, the Swedes will believe that they have more than a chance to progress. If they can find a way to prevent Lech Poznan from scoring, their belief will be proved right.
Haugesand has made no additions to their squad this summer, with just the Brazilian defender Bruno Soares leaving on a free transfer. Manager Eirik Horneland also has his entire roster available for selection.
Lech Poznan (Pol) vs. Haugesund (Nor) – Match Prediction:
Regardless of Haugesand´s brave efforts in the 1st leg, Lech Poznan should prove to possess too much quality for the Swedish. Therefore I predict a handicap win for ‘The Railwaymen´ to set up a third Europa League qualifying round tie with Valletta (MLT) or Utrecht (NED).
MY PICK: Lech Poznan -1 AH (-135)
Skenderbeu (Alb) vs. Kairat Almaty (Kaz)
Three-Way: 1: Skenderbeu +231; X: +245 Draw; 2: Kairat +146
Spread 0: Skenderbeu +131; Kairat -135
Total +2: Over -104; Under +106
SKENDERBEU
The Albanians have been the happier of the two sides after their 1:1 draw away in Kazakhstan, with neither teams being clear favorites for the round. Skenderbeu´s recent history has been of huge interest across Europe; they won the Albanian Superliga 6 times in a row from the 2010-2011 to the 2015-2016 season, only for their last title to be stripped, and banned from the Europa League for the 2016-17 season over match-fixing allegations.
Head coach Ilir Daja will be ecstatic to see that these off-the-field issues aren´t translating to the on-the-field thus far, setting themselves up with a great chance of progressing into the next round of the Europa League competition.
Five new players have arrived during the offseason, including forward Goran Vujovic who has big boots to fill as a replacement for Hamdi Salihi. Salihi, who has left for Wiener Neustadt, scored 41 goals in 60 appearances for Skenderbeu, as well as making 50 appearances for the national team. Manager Ilir Daja will only be without Tefik Osmani, after he was involved in a pitch brawl at the end of the last season.
KALMATY
Last year’s Runners Up of the Kazakhstan Premier League, Kalmaty, are at a slight disadvantage having conceded the away goal in the 1st leg, but may consider themselves more or less on equal grounds with their opponent, and every chance of progressing.
Although, they will have to ensure that they score at least 1 goal or face elimination. Furthermore, they will have to take the front foot in the game to score and may rely on their Ivorian star striker Gerard Bi Goua Gohou, who has hit the net 17 times in 24 matches this season. Or perhaps Kalmaty will be hoping that familiar face Andrey Arshavin can make a big contribution on Thursday.
During the offseason Kairat has signed 3 players, while only the twenty nine years old midfielder Gerson Acevedo left the team as a free agent. Manager Kakhaber Tskhadadze will be missing towering centre-back Zarko Markovic (knee injury) and attacking midfielder Bauyrzhan Islamkhan (suspension).
Skenderbeu (Alb) vs. Kairat Almaty (Kaz) – Match Prediction:
This is set up to be another even match and I would predict that both teams will find the back of the net at least once. With Kairat possibly coming out of the blocks aggressively, I would back them to win on away goals. The winners will face Shamrock Rovers (IRL) or Mladá Boleslav (CZE).
MY PICK: Kairat Almaty to Qualify (-125)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (+120)
FK Crvena Zvezda (Srb) vs. I. Pavlodar (Kaz)
Three-Way: 1: Crvena Zvezda -303; X: +451 Draw; 2: Pavlodar +1214
Spread -1.5: Crvena Zvezda +102; Pavlodar -108
Total +2.5: Over -109; Under -106
FK Crvena Zvezda
Crvena Zvezda isa club of huge stature and serious pedigree in the European football, especially as they are one-time winners of the European Cup, and are rightly considered favorites in Belgrade.
However, the Serbian team may have been taught a lesson in complacency in Pavlodar, as a climactic end saw their opponents score a 93rd minute penalty to equalize. Despite the late drama and lack of concentration, their quality is clear and they´ll still see a possibility for a professional demolition job in the 2nd leg.
FK Crvena Zvezda´s Summer has seen a number of in and out-goings with a total of 12 new arrivals, including forward Richmond Boakye for 2 million Euros from Latina Calcio, and 10 departures. Vladan Milojević will have a full selection as there are no injuries or suspensions for Thursday´s game.
- Pavlodar
In vast contrast to their opponents, Irtysh Pavlodar has never progressed past the second qualifying round of the Europa League, although they snatched a dramatic 1:1 draw with their superior opponents which can only be described as heroic.
However at this level of competition lightning rarely strikes twice and they will need more than heroes or luck on their side to reach the next round of the Europa League; perhaps only divine intervention will help them this time.
I. Pavlodar has had just one man join them this summer, Vladyslav Ogirya from FK Oleksandria of Ukraine, while 2 have left. Head coach Dimitar Dimitrov will have a full squad roster to select from as there are no injuries or suspensions.
FK Crvena Zvezda (Srb) vs. I. Pavlodar (Kaz) – Match Prediction:
Irtysh Pavlodar has done fantastically well to reach the 2nd leg and to still be in with a fighting chance. Unfortunately for Pavlodar I believe this is the end of the road for them, as FK Crvena has a higher caliber group of players and with possibly 50,000 adoring fans who will make it a daunting task for any team. I would take a punt at an easy high-scoring win for the Serbians; they would go on to face Sparta Praha (CZE) in the next round of the Europa League competition.
MY PICK: FK Crvena Zvezda -1.5 AH (+102)
Jagiellonia (Pol) vs. Gabala (Aze)
Three-Way: 1: Jagiellonia +100; X: +244 Draw; 2: Gabala +334
Spread –0.5: Jagiellonia +102; Gabala -110
Total +2: Over -137; Under +123
JAGIELLONIA
The Polish Top-flight runner´s up Jagiellonia will be content with their 1:1 draw in the first leg, but will feel that they can improve in the home leg against inferior opposition. Manager Ireneusz Mamrot´s side started the game in a composed manner, scoring within 15 minutes, but let their lead slip just 2 minutes into the 2nd half and never seemed to regain their stride.
Jagiellonia will be hoping to maintain their performance levels for 90 minutes this time around, and will hope to be energized by their home crowd. Qualifying would also mark the second time reaching the Europa League third qualifying round, the first being in the 2010-2011 season.
During the offseason, the Polish side signed two new players including Martin Pospísil (attacking midfielder) from Czech side FK Jablonec and Brazilian Guilherme (left-back) from Termalica, while six veteran players left the team. Marek Wasiluk is the only player unavailable, through a knee Injury, for Thursday´s rematch.
GABALA
Gabala, who also finished second in their domestic league, will be hoping to match and extend their recent achievements by reaching the group stage of the Europa League for the 3rd time in a row. Accomplishing this is certainly within the realms of possibility after their 1:1 draw, although having only won 2 from their last 9 games confidence is low.
During the offseason nine players strengthened the roster all on a free transfer or loan. Nine players also left the team after the last season ended, again on a free transfer or loan. Manager Roman Hryhorchuk is missing left midfielder Javid Huseynov through suspension, but otherwise has a full squad to choose from.
Jagiellonia (Pol) vs. Gabala (Aze) – Match Prediction:
This will be a tight affair with both teams prepared to be patient with their chances. The team that will advance to the next round will likely be the first scorers, and I am backing Jagiellonia to strike first. The winners will face a tricky tie against Panathinaikos (Gre) in the next round of the Europa League.
MY PICK: Jagiellonia to win (+100)
