The UEFA Europa League competition continues on Thursday, with the Bulgarian club Levski entertaining Hajduk Split in hope of avenging the first leg defeat, while Midtjylland will play hosts to Hungarian club Ferencvaros, with optimism to finish off this tie. On the other hand, Odd will welcome Vaduz to Norway, while Yehuda will be visited by Slovakian Club Trencin, as the teams vie for a third round spot.
LEVSKI (BUL) vs. HAJDUK SPLIT (CRO)
Three-way: 1: Levski +45; X: +223 Draw; 2: Hajduk Split +225
Spread 0: Levski -133; Hajduk Split +131
Total +2: Over -145; Under +119
LEVSKI (BUL)
Levski finished last season with a respectable finish in second position. They managed to score just 38 goals, but they had the second best defense in the domestic league, that just conceded 17 times in 26 matches.
In the first Europa League qualifying round, they more or less sealed their progression to round two by a 3:1 win against Sutjeska, which was followed by a scoreless away draw in the return fixture.
They have signed veteran Spanish midfielder Jordi Gomez on a free transfer from Rayo Vallecano. Apart from him, they have also signed Romanian midfielder Nelut Rosu for a fee of 100 thousand Euros.
HAJDUK SPLIT (CRO)
Hajduk managed to finish third in the Croatian top league last season as they escaped fourth position by three points. They scored a total of 70 goals, which was the second best in the league in 36 matches, while conceding 31 goals in the same period.
The only friendly that they played in preseason was a 2:2 draw in an away match against Rudar.
In the transfer market, they have signed the Gambian youngster Hamza Barry from Limassol for 250 thousand Euros. Apart from him, they have also managed to signed midfielder Savvas Gentsoglou from Bari, and Josip Radosevic from Salzburg.
LEVSKI (BUL) vs. HAJDUK SPLIT (CRO) – Match Prediction:
This match is going to be a close encounter for sure, as one could make out from the first leg at Hajduk. However, I feel that Hajduk will be high on confidence, as they have already made a stride towards the next Europa League round by winning the first leg. Still, my safe bet will be on the under as I expect another low scoring matchup.
MY PICK: Under 2 goals (+119)
MIDTJYLLAND (DEN) vs. FERENCVAROS (HUN)
Three-way: 1: Midtjylland -172; X: +366 Draw; 2: Ferencvaros +525
Spread -1: Midtjylland -101; Ferencvaros -106
Total +3: Over -120; Under +100
MIDTJYLLAND (DEN)
This Danish club finished fifth in what could be called an average season if results are anything to go by. They scored 44 goals in 26 matches, while conceding 29.
Midtjylland impressed in the first round of the Europa League qualifiers, as they thrashed Derry City across both legs. In the first home leg, they beat them 6:1, which was followed by a 1:4 triumph in the away match.
In the transfer market, they have bought Danish keepers Jaspewr Hansen and Falkesgaard for a comibined 100 thousand Euros, while using another 100 to buy attackers Gustav Wikheim and Bozhidar Kraev.
FERENCVAROS (HUN)
Ferencvarcos finished 4th last season in the league, but were still tied in goal difference and points earned with Vasas Fc who were third. They scored 54 goals while conceding 44 in a space of 33 matches in the league.
In the first round of the Europa League qualifiers, Ferencvarcos played very efficiently as they secured comfortable wins in both the legs – 2:0 in the home leg followed by a 1:0 win in the away match against Jelgava.
They have signed Hungarian winger Lukacs Bole and Portuguese midfielder Rui Pedro, and both have joined on free transfers.
MIDTJYLLAND (DEN) vs. FERENCVAROS (HUN) – Match Prediction:
The first league was an open affair, as both teams played good attacking football and scored goals. However, Midtjylland proved a bit too strong and won the match 2:4. So, as this match is a home leg for the Danish side, I will put my money on a handicap win for the home team.
MY PICK: MIDJTYLLAND AH -1 (-101)
ODD (NOR) vs. VADUZ (LIE)
Three-way: 1: Odd -182; X: +337 Draw; 2: Vaduz +650
Spread -1: Odd -111; Vaduz +102
Total +2.5: Over -110; Under -101
ODD (NOR)
Odd missed out on the second spot in the Norwegian league by just three points last season. They scored 44 goals and conceded 35 en route to their third place finish in the league table.
Odd comfortably navigated their way through the first round of the Europa League qualifiers with an aggregate win of 5:0 against Ballymena- 3:0 in the home leg followed by a 0:2 away win.
VADUZ (LIE)
Vaduz gained entry to the competition through their cup title win, as they are in the second tier of Liechtenstein. In general, they had a poor season as they finished last in the league, with 45 goals scored in 36 matches, while conceding a massive 78 goals in the same time.
In the first round of the Europa League qualifiers, Vaduz defeated Bala town by 1:2 in the first leg, followed by a 3:0 rout in the home leg.
They have made numerous free singings in this transfer window. Croatian defender Tomislav Pulijic, midfielder Milan Gajic, and German midfielder Nicolas Jullich have all joined the club to provide competition in various positions.
ODD (NOR) vs. VADUZ (LIE) – Match Prediction:
In the first leg, Vaduz gave a tough battle to the Norwegian team, but still lost the match by 0:1. Moreover, keeping in mind that this is a home match for Odd, I will predict a comfortable home win in this match.
MY PICK: Odd AH -1 (-111)
YEHUDA (ISR) vs. TRENCIN (SVK)
Three-way: 1: Yehuda +275; X: +249 Draw; 2: Trencin +119
Spread +0.5: Yehuda -125; Trencin +114
Total +2.5: Over +104; Under -116
YEHUDA (ISR)
Yehuda has been given passage to the Europa League qualifiers as they won the Israeli cup last year. In the league, they finished a lowly 11th. They scored just 20 goals in 26 matches, while conceding 32 in the same duration.
Yehuda played two club friendly matches before the start of the season. Both of them were away matches, and they won both the clashes by the scores of 2:3 and 0:1 respectively.
The two deals that have been officially concluded this transfer window by Yehuda are the loans of youngsters Mavis Tchibota and Ayed Habashi, who’ll be adding width to the team’s game.
TRENCIN (SVK)
Trencin just about managed a top four spot in the Slovakian top league as there was only a gap of two points between the fifth placed team in the league table in the end. They scored 43 goals in 32 matches, conceding 49 throughout the league.
Trencin showed real attacking efficiency as they scored a lot of goals during the Europa League first round qualifying legs. In the first leg they won by 5:1 at home, which was followed by a 0:3 victory away against Torpedo.
They have signed Bosnian youngster Hamza Catakovic for a fee of 120 thousand Euros, while also signing midfielder Ricky Van Haaren on a free transfer.
YEHUDA (ISR) vs. TRENCIN (SVK) – Match Prediction:
Judging by the first leg result, this match will probably be a tight contest. However, Trencin has been in a better form of late, and hence, will be in a better position to qualify into the next round of the Europa League. Therefore, I will be backing Trencin to win this one.
MY PICK: TRENCIN (+119)
