The UEFA Europa League qualifiers are continuing with the return fixtures scheduled for Thursday July 20th. Considering that many teams are rather unfamiliar on the international football scene, we have decided to cluster several matchups into one article and bring you preview for 4 games with plenty of betting picks to place your bets on.
For this preview, we will analyze the matchups between the Moldavian side Zaria Balta who will welcome Apollon, Zira from Azerbaijan who will host the Romanian side Astra. Furthermore, Botev Plovdiv will lock horns with Beitar Jerusalem from Israel, while the final matchup of this preview will showcase the talents between Fola and Inter Baku.
ZARIA BALTI (MDA) vs. APOLLON (CYP)
Three-way: 1: Zaria Balti +1000; X: +445 Draw; 2: Apollon -270
Spread +1.5: Zaria Balti -112; Apollon +102
Total +2.5: Over -149; Under +129
ZARIA BALTI (MDA)
Zaria finished fourth in the league last season, thus taking the last spot for the Europa League qualifiers. They scored 56 goals, while conceding 21 in a span of 30 matches in the league last year.
In the first round, they won the first leg against Sarajevo by 2:1, and the second leg also had the same score, and it went to penalties where Zaria prevailed, shocking the favored team from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Their only signing this transfer window has been Mihai Apostol, the young midfielder who has been signed for free.
APOLLON (CYP)
Apollon missed out on the second position last season by just a solitary point, against Larnaca. They scored 56 goals, while conceding 19 goals in 26 matches, which meant they had the second best defense in the league.
Before the start of the season, Apollon played four friendlies, out of which they lost three and won one. They scored 6 goals and conceded 6 during this period.
They have signed Atletico madrid youngster Matija Spoljaric, along with former Mallorca defender Hector Yuste and Chilean midfielder Jason Silva, all on a free transfer
ZARIA BALTI (MDA) vs. APOLLON (CYP) – Match Prediction:
From the first leg it was clear that Apollon is the better performing team among these two. Now, even though they are the visitors, it is tough to see anything but a Zaria loss here as they are already three goals behind. However, I do expect Zaria to push forward and play more offensively, which should leave enough room for the visitors to score. My bet is on the over here.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-149)
ZIRA (AZE) vs. ASTRA (ROU)
Three-way: 1: Zira +179; X: +231 Draw; Astra +181
Spread 0: Zira +100; Astra -102
Total +2.5: Over +114; Under -133
ZIRA (AZE)
Zira finished in fourth position in the domestic league last time out, ensuring a place in the Europa League qualifiers. They managed to score 28 goals, while conceding the same number in the entire duration of the league, which also consisted of 28 games.
Zira gave a professional performance in the first leg, as they defeated Differdange by the scores of 2:0 and 1:2 respectively.
In the transfer market, they have signed a young player in Local boy Yusif Nabiyev while also bring experienced players like Rashad Sadiqov and David Manga to provide new blood in the team. All have been signed on free transfers.
ASTRA (ROU)
Astra couldn’t follow on their league win two years ago, and were only able to finish third in the league last year. They scored 32 goals and conceded 28 in a total of 26 League matches.
In the preseason, they played three friendlies, out of which they lost two and won the other. They conceded 5 goals and scored 5 during these matches.
Like their opponents, they have also signed a blend of youth and experience. 32 year old French striker Anthony Tallec, along with Romanian youngsters Robert Vilceanu and Bogdan Chipirliu have all been brought in on free transfer to rejuvenate the squad.
ZIRA (AZE) vs. ASTRA (ROU) – Match Prediction
Even though Astra bagged a comfortable 3:1 win in the first leg, it was clear that the score line was a bit harsh on Zira. This encounter promises to be a close one, but I feel that Astra will just about edge this one. Therefore I’ll put my money on an away win in this match with both teams scoring most probably.
MY PICK: Astra AH 0 (-102)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-111)
BOTEV PLOVDIV (BUL) vs. BEITAR JERUSALEM (ISR)
Three-way: 1: Betov Plodiv +220; X: +240 Draw; 2: Beitar Jerusalem +142
Spread 0: Betov Plodiv +127; Beitar Jerusalem – 139
Total +2.5: Over +116; Under – 128
BOTEV PLOVDIV (BUL)
Botev Plvodiv had an average season, as they finished 7th in the national league, but they still managed to win the cup, which ensured their participation in the qualifiers for the Europa League. They scored 36 goals and conceded 42 in the league.
In the first round of the Europa League qualifiers, Botev Plovdiv showed real efficiency as they won the away leg 1:3, and then won the match with a dodgy 1:0 score line in the home leg.
Their main signing this season has to be Todor Nedevlev who has signed for free, along with youngster Toni Tasev and Bulgarian veteran Yordan Minev.
BEITAR JERUSALEM (ISR)
Beitar finished last season the 4th place, just two point clear of 6th. They scored 34 goals while conceding 27 goals in the league last year.
In the first round of the Europa League qualifying matches, Beitar managed to win a frantic match against Vasas by 4:3. They recovered from that and gave a thrilling performance to win 0:3 in the return leg.
They have made two good signing in French fullback Antoine Conte from Reims and Erik Sabo from PAOK for a combined fee of 900 thousand €.
BOTEV PLOVDIV (BUL) vs. BEITAR JERUSALEM (ISR) – Match Prediction
The first leg gave absolutely no indications of the stronger team, as they battled out a 1:1 draw. However looking at the squad and current form of Jerusalem, I’d say a victory for them is likely. Therefore my prediction will be an away win.
MY PICK: BEITAR JERUSALEM (+142)
FOLA (LUX) vs. INTER BAKU (AZE)
Three-way: 1: Fola +136; X: +260 Draw; 2: Inter Baku +229
Spread -0.5: Fola +127; Inter Baku -147
Total +2.5: Over -110; Under +102
FOLA (LUX)
Fola had a comfortable third place finish in the league last year, as they had quite some gap between both the second placed team and the fourth placed team. They scored a league best 69 goals, while conceding 34 in 26 matches.
They managed to scrape through the first round of the Europa League qualifiers, as just one goal separated Fola and Milsami, which was because of their 2:1 win in the first leg.
They have signed FC Metz youngster Roman Pirrard on a free transfer. Joining him are Belgian youngster Corentin Kocur and Slovakian Centre back Peter Chrappan among other as they all join the team on free transfers.
INTER BAKU (AZE)
Inter managed to finished 3rd in the league table with relative ease. They scored 39 goals in the league, while conceding 33.
They gave a really professional performance across both the legs of the first round, as they won both the matches by the scores of 0:3 and 2:0 against Mladost Lucani.
FOLA (LUX) vs. INTER BAKU (AZE) – Match Prediction:
Inter Baku managed to seal a 1:0 victory in the first leg, which leaves the Fola team enough hopes going into the rematch on Thursday night. Playing in front of their home crowd and with the Europa League third qualifying round at stake, Fola will come out with full strength, hoping to score an early goal and start from scratch.
This will surely be a tight encounter, but the home side could pull an upset here and record a win.
MY PICK: Fola (+136)
