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.
Siroki Brijeg (BiH) vs. Aberdeen (Sco)
Three-Way: 1: Siroki Brijeg +257; X: +216 Draw; Aberdeen +137
Spread +0.5: Siroki Brijeg -145; Aberdeen +125
Total +2: Over -114; Under +104
Siroki Brijeg
The Bosnia and Herzegovina Cup winning side will be satisfied with their chances of progressing after a 1:1 draw away in Aberdeen. The critical away goal for Siroki Brijeg came in the 69th minute when Stipo Markovic hammered in a fizzing strike past Aberdeen’s keeper Joe Lewis from 18 yards. Despite a high-tempo game from Aberdeen, the 2 times Premier League (BiH) winners stayed strong and held on to a solid result.
Towards the tail-end of last season the Bosnian’s ran into some extremely poor form, and have only registered one win in the pre-season. They’ll be hoping they can bounce back in style by qualifying for the Europa League third qualifying round for the first time since the 2013-14 Europa League campaign.
During the offseason, six players left and six players joined to balance the roster. A notable loss was Veteran Goalkeeper Nikola Maric, who has retired after 9 years at the club at the age of 37. Manager Goran Sablic has a full squad to choose from other than left midfielder Ivan Baraban who is injured.
Aberdeen
The four times Scottish league winners were certainly feeling frustrated last Thursday, as they failed to convert a host of chances, albeit a wonderful curled goal from Ryan Christie. However, the Scottish side will still be undaunted by the task that has been set, seeing as they have won every away game since February. They also have considerable European experience and pedigree, having reached the third qualifying round of the Europa League for the last 2 seasons and have 2 European trophies collecting dust in their trophy cabinet.
Aberdeen has made six additions to their squad this summer, including 22 year old Ryan Christie from Celtic to replace the right midfielder Jonny Hayes who went the other way, along with eight other men leaving. Manager Derek McInnes will be without Jayden Stockley through suspension.
Siroki Brijeg (BiH) vs. Aberdeen (Sco) – Match Prediction:
Aberdeen will feel confident of dominating the game, considering the 1st leg and away goal, and should follow through with a simple victory if they can be clinical. Siroki Brijeg will have to ride their luck but ultimately are likely to come short, especially if they let Aberdeen set the tempo. The winner will play Apollon Limassol (CYP) or Zaria Balti (MDA) in the next round of the Europa League.
MY PICK: Aberdeen to Win (+137)
Mladost Podgorica (Mne) vs. Sturm Graz (Aut)
Three-Way: 1: Mladost Podgorica +537; X: +315 Draw; 2: Sturm Graz -149
Spread +1: Mladost Podgorica -123; Sturm Graz +116
Total +2.5: Over -115; Under +108
Mladost Podgorica
FK Mladost Podgorica and fans alike have been inspired by their shock 1:0 victory away in Austria. Miloš Krkotić will still be day dreaming about the penalty he scored after just 2 minutes with their only shot on target. An ever greater achievement is that they held on to their lead for a further 88 minutes, limiting their Austrian opponents to just six shots on target despite being stuck in their own half for most of the game.
Their form so far this season is also nothing to be laughed at, with 5 wins out of 5 and 15 goals scored in the process, albeit against easier opposition. If Mladost Podgorica can get the first goal, a repeat result is not out of the question, but they´ll need to have luck on their side.
Six new players have arrived during the offseason, including forward Admir Adrovic from Sukothai FC, and four departures. Manager Dejan Vukicevic will have his entire squad to select from.
Sturm Graz
The Austrian side may have felt discouraged by last Thursday´s result, especially since they couldn’t make something out of 70% of possession in front their home crowd, but will not think that all is lost. The three times Austrian Bundesliga winners will be hoping players like attacker Deni Alar can find his rhythm after scoring 14 goals in the League last year.
Sturm Graz´s form coming up to the 1st leg has been poor, but a recent 3:0 away win may signify that their fortunes are turning around. Like Mladost Podgorica, they will also realize the importance of the first goal and will be looking to sprint from the blocks with a high-tempo game.
During the offseason Sturm Graz has signed eight players, while ten players left for pastures new; notably 20 year old starlet Sascha Horvath to Dynamo Dresden for an unknown fee. Manager Franco Foda will be missing centre-back Christian Schoissengeyr (double torn ligament) and central midfielder James Jeggo who has joined Australia on international duty.
Mladost Podgorica (Mne) vs. Sturm Graz (Aut) – Match Prediction:
Despite Mladost Podgorica’s excellent defensive display in the 1st leg, it´s difficult to look past the Austrian side to win, with not many goals being scored in the 2nd leg. Saying that, it might be worth risking a bet on the Montenegrins to qualify, as progression is still on the cards. The winner´s will be tested against Fenerbahçe (TUR) in the Europa League third qualifying round.
MY PICK: Under +2.5 (+108)
Additional Pick: Mladost Podgorica to qualify (+104)
ND Gorica (Slo) vs. Panionios (Gre)
Three-Way: 1: ND Gorica +175; X: +213 Draw; 2: Pavlodar +194
Spread 0: ND Gorica -109; Panionios -101
Total +2: Over -106; Under-110
ND Gorica
The four times Slovenian First League winners have it all to do in 2nd leg after losing 2:0 away from home. To add to their misery, the Slovenian centre-back Tine Kavčič was sent off after 45 minutes giving them little chance to recover from the damage inflicted.
In the 2nd leg, ND Gorica will have to ensure a solid back line with a potent attack, as conceding just 1 goal could spell the end for their Europa League aspirations. ND Gorica’s recent form of only 1 in 5 wins will only add nerves to their players already shaky legs.
ND Gorica´s Summer has seen four new arrivals, and only Centre-Back Matija Boben has left, leaving for Russian club Rostov. Miran Srebrnic will have a full selection as there are no injuries or suspensions for Thursday´s game.
Panionios
The Greek side has one foot firmly placed in the third qualifying round of the Europa League after earning a 2:0 win in Slovenia, which would be the furthest round they have reached since finishing 4th in the group stage of the UEFA Cup in the 2007-08 season.
Two goals from former Liverpool attacker Samed Yeşil means that just one goal in the 2nd leg would make scoring at least 4 goals a necessity for their opponents. Taking this into consideration, they could easily sit back in their box and absorb Gorica´s attacks to play on the counter and they may feel as though this is a viable and risk-free option. Also to be considered is that they have only conceded 1 or less goals in eight of their last nine fixtures
Panionios has had six men join them this summer, while 11 have left, including centre-back Spyros Risvanis and Manolis Siopis who both have joined Olympiacos on free transfers. Head coach Michalis Grigoriou will have a full squad roster to select from as there are no injuries or suspensions.
ND Gorica (Slo) vs. Panionios (Gre) – Match Prediction:
It would be difficult to look past Panionios to qualify with their 2 away goals. Furthermore, the Greeks won’t be too preoccupied by winning and will be looking to dictate a slow-tempo to the game, so expect a low-scoring game, especially if ND Gorica can’t find the net by the end of the first half. The winners will play Maccabi Tel-Aviv (ISR) or KR Reykjavík (ISL) in the next Europa League qualifying round.
MY PICK: Under +2 Goals (-110)
KR Reykjavik (Ice) vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv (Isr)
Three-Way: 1: KR Reykjavik +430; X: +280 Draw; 2: Tel Aviv -133
Spread +0.5: KR Reykjavik +117; Tel Aviv -133
Total +2.5: Over +102; Under -115
KR Reykjavik
The 26 times Icelandic champions have been in dreamland after scoring the first goal in Israel after 58 minutes (their only shot on target), however their joy was short-lived as they went on to lose 3:1 against a superior adversary.
KR Reykjavik is just a fairytale short of reaching the Europa League third qualifying round, which would be the first time in their history after falling in the second qualifying round to Grasshopper last season. The Icelandic side recent form also may be another reason for doubt, registering just 1 win in the last 5 games this season.
During the offseason, KK Reykjavik signed just one new player, namely centre-forward from Danish AC Horsens, and no departures. Manager Willum Thór Thórsson is the only player unavailable, through a knee Injury, for Thursday´s rematch has a full squad available for selection.
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi Tel Aviv will be satisfied with their dominating 1st leg performance, despite conceding an early away goal, and will expect to qualify for the group stage of a European competition for a third time in a row. Qualification is within their grasp and with a team of Maccabi´s caliber, you would expect them to progress.
During the summer four players strengthened the roster, while nine players left the team, including winger Tal Ben Haim for 2.9 million euros to Sparta Praha. Manager Jordi Cruyff is missing former English Premier League defender Tal Ben Haim through suspension, but otherwise has a full squad to choose from.
KR Reykjavik (Ice) vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv (Isr) – Match Prediction:
Maccabi will be the more relaxed of the two sides, and their superiority should carry them through the next leg with ease. It will mean that KR Reykjavik will have to wait another year to have another crack at making the Europa League third qualifying round. Panionios (GRE) or Gorica (SVN) await the winners.
MY PICK:Maccabi Tel Aviv (-133)
Videoton (Hun) vs. Kalju (Est)
Three-Way: 1: Videoton -370; X: +550 Draw; 2: Kalju +1400
Spread -1.5: Videoton -133; Kalju +121
Total +3: Over -101; Under -118
Videoton
Videoton recorded a dominant win in the first leg of the Europa League second qualifying round as they put three goals past their opponents, including two penalty goals scored by Marko Šćepović. Three away goals should already be sufficient for the two times Hungarian League winners, as a win on home turf against lesser opposition is already to be assumed.
Videoton will dream of repeating their 1984-85 UEFA Cup campaign, reaching the Finals beating Manchester United on the way, but ultimately losing to Real Madrid in the final; although that may be expecting a bit too much from the Hungarian side.
During the offseason two players strengthened the roster, while six left; 4 of these left on loan. ManagerMarko Nikolic doesn’t have any injury woes or suspensions before the rematch.
Kalju
Kalju may rightly feel that a 3:0 loss was unjustified, as they had a decent share of possession and 6 shots on target to Videoton’s 4. However, it is often said that the difference in quality between teams is dictated by their ability to be clinical in front of goal, and that was certainly true in the case of last Thursday. The Estonian side will be hoping to progress to the Europa League third qualifying round like they did last season, but this seems unlikely after their poor result.
During the offseason, the only player signed was Brazilian centre-forward Liliu who came from Gzira United, while they let Vlasiy Sinyavskiy out on loan with no other outgoings. Manager Sergey Frantsev will be missing 17 year old Jevgeni Demidov through suspension, but will otherwise have his entire roster available for Thursday’s rematch.
Videoton (Hun) vs. Kalju (Est) – Match Prediction:
The team that will advance to the next stage of the Europa League is already all but decided, but I feel that Videoton won’t cut their opponents any slack and will score a hatful. The winner will be handed a tricky tie against Bordeaux (FRA).
MY PICK: Videoton AH -3 (-101)
Additional Pick: Videoton Half/Full Time (-125)
