Here, we bring you another four-matchup in-depth analysis combo in order to predict the outcomes of these midweek soccer games. Teams that are able to provide a good result before the next week’s rematches will be on the good way of qualifying to the next stage of the Europa League, and having in mind the hefty financial rewards that UEFA secures for the winners, I’m sure that there is no lack of motivation among the players, the boards and the fans. The longer you stay alive in on the European competitions’ stage, the bigger the chances are of creating a successful tenure for the club.
Gabala (Aze) vs. Jagiellonia (Pol)
Three-Way: 1: Gabala +118; X: +240 Draw; Jagiellonia +280
Spread –0.5: Gabala +114; Jagiellonia -128
Total +2.5: Over +129; Under -147
GABALA
The second ranked team from the Azerbaijan Premier League last season, Gabala is entering the UEFA Europa League competition in this second qualifying round and they will face a pretty formidable opponent from Poland. Team ended the last season with 10 points less than the Champion Qarabag and this will be their first official game of the new season.
Gabala was very busy in the transfer market during the summer, signing seven new players while two players also became available after returning from their loan spells (midfielders Andy Halliday and Famoussa Kone).
Eleven players left the squad in order to try their luck in other teams. Left midfielder Javid Huseynov will not be available for the Thursday’s matchup because of the suspension.
JAGIELLONIA
Another runners-up team from the national championship, Jagiellonia Bialystok will see some Europa League second qualifying round action after outplaying and outscoring their first round opponents, Georgian side Dinamo Batumi 5:0 on aggregate. First leg in Georgia ended with a minimal 1:0 win by the Polacks while in Bialystok, Jagellonia players scored four goals to stamp the next stage advancement.
During the offseason, the team greatly strengthened its roster with signing of attacking midfielder Martin Pospisil who came from FK Jablonec on a fee worth 325.000 Euros and defender Guilherme who came from Termalica on a free transfer. Two players left the team while four where sent away as part of the loan agreements. There are no injured players at the moment.
Gabala (Aze) vs. Jagiellonia (Pol) – Match Prediction:
It’s uncertain which side will have the upper hand having in mind that they posses rosters of relatively equal quality but I would give a slight advantage to the Polish side. In this first leg I would go with a draw.
MY PICK: Draw (+240)
Additional Pick: Under 2.5 goals (-147)
Hajduk Split (Cro) vs. Levski (Bul)
Three-Way: 1: Hajduk Split -110; X: +285 Draw; 2: Levski +350
Spread -0.5: Hajduk Split -112; Levski +110
Total +2.5: Over +112; Under -128
HAJDUK SPLIT
The eight times national champions and ten times cup winners Hajduk Split team finished the last season ranked third in the Croatian Premier League thus qualifying automatically for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Their first opponent, the Bulgarian side Levski presents a formidable foe and the Croats will be facing a big challenge in this matchup.
During the offseason they sold one of their best players last season, defensive midfielder Jefferson for a fee of 350.000 Euros to Portuguese side Chaves while another young prospect, twenty two years old midfielder Hamza Barry was signed from the Cyprian side Apollon Limasol for a fee worth 250.000 Euros. Team signed total of nine new players while six guys left the team. Head coach Joan Carillo has entire roster available for the upcoming clash.
LEVSKI SOFIA
The third ranked team from the last year’s Bulgarian national championship and the most famous Bulgarian soccer team (26 national titles, 11 cup titles) Levski Sofia advanced to the second qualifying stage of the Europa League after sending home Sutjeska Niksic from Montenegro.
First leg in Bulgaria was enough to secure the advancement as they defeated the Montenegrins 3:1 with two goals from Junior Mapuku and one score by Roman Prochazka. Second leg in Niksic ended goalless.
Team sold two very impactful players during the offseason. Central midfielder Mehdi Bourabia went to Turkish side Konyaspor for a fee of 550.000 Euros while attacking midfielder Bozhidar Kraev signed for Midtjylland for the price of 500.000 Euros.
Team signed couple of new players including the young Romanian prospect midfielder Nelut Rosu who came from Viitorul. Defender Amadou Soukouna will be unavailable for the first leg because of the suspension.
Hajduk Split (Cro) vs. Levski (Bul) – Match Prediction:
On any other day I would give the advantage to the Bulgarian side but it’s a fact that their roster is significantly weaker after they sold two top players. This is the reason why I will go with the home team win.
MY PICK: FK Hajduk Split (-110)
Haugesund (Nor) vs. Lech Poznan (Pol)
Three-Way: 1: Haugesund +294; X: +260 Draw; 2: Lech Poznan +110
Spread +0.5: Haugesund -116; Lech Poznan +110
Total +2.5: Over +100; Under -114
HAUGESUND
Another Irish team got pounded in the first round as the Norway’s Haugesund defeated Coleraine in the first qualifying round of the Europa League with 7:0 on aggregate, thus advancing into the second stage.
Team that finished the last season ranked fourth in the Norwegian Premier League needed one matchup to answer the question of who will see the second round, outscoring the opponent 7:0. Second leg in Northern Ireland was the matter of formality and it finished with a scoreless draw.
Team wasn’t that active in the transfer market as only three players came back to the team after the end of their loan spells. On the other side centre-back Bruno Soares left the team as a free agent. Manager Eirik Horneland has his entire roster available for the upcoming game.
LECH POZNAN
The Lech Poznan team went through the first qualifying round the same way their next foe did, by outscoring the opponent 7:0 on aggregate. Their unlucky victim was the Macedonian side Pelister, team that presented a big mismatch to the last season’s fourth ranked team in Polish Premier League. Croatian striker Mario Šitum was the hero of the first round, scoring three of seven total goals for Lech.
Team was very active on the transfer market during the offseason, signing seven new players including wingers Niklas Barkroth and Maciej Makuszewski whose transfers from Norrkoping and Lechia Gdansk cost about 1 Million Euros combined.
On the other side, team profited greatly after selling defenders Jan Bednarek and Dawid Kownacki to Southamton and Sampdoria for fees of 6 and 4 Million Euros while right-back Tomasz Kedziora went to Dynamo Kiev for a fee of 1.5 Million Euros. There are no injured players on the team’s roster at the moment.
Haugesund (Nor) vs. Lech Poznan (Pol) – Match Prediction:
Lech Poznan was clearly the stronger team last season but I’m unsure how will the selling of their top three defenders affect the team’s morale. Norwegians are tough and a little upset might be at place. Still, I think the most likely scenario here is the Under 2.5 goals.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-114)
Irtysh Pavlodar (Kaz) vs. FK Crvena Zvezda (Srb)
Three-Way: 1: I. Pavlodar +208; X: +231 Draw; 2: FK Crvena Zvezda +179
Spread 0: I. Pavlodar +120; FK Crvena Zvezda -120
Total +2: Over -135; Under +116
IRTYSH PAVLODAR
The five times Kazakhstani champion, Irtysh Pavlodar, advanced to the second qualifying round of the Europa League after defeating a very good Dunav Ruse squad. They managed to send the Bulgarians out of the competition with no goal conceded (1:o win at home, 2:0 win on the road). Goals by Igor Bugaiov, Mario Maslać and Aslan Darabayev decided the matchup and we’ll see if they’ll have any success against Serbian side FK Crvena Zvezda.
Team wasn’t very active during the offseason as only one new player was signed and three players left the team. Only notable addition was Vladyslav Ogirya who came from national league rival FK Oleksandria on a free transfer. Manager Dimitar Dimitrov has his entire roster available for the Thursday’s showdown.
FK CRVENA ZVEZDA
Former European Champion Club’s Cup winner (competition that preceded the UEFA Champions League) FK Crvena Zvezda advanced to the second qualifying stage of the Europa League after defeating Maltese side Floriana, 6:3 on aggregate.
The hero of the matchup was striker Richmond Boakye who scored four of six total goals for the Serbian side. First leg in Belgrade ended with a dominant 3:0 win by the home team while rematch on Malta presented a real treat for every soccer fan as teams scored three goals each.
Defender Mihailo Ristic and winger Srdjan Plavsic were sold to Krasnodar and Sparta Praha for transfer fees of 2 and 1.3 million Euros, while striker Aleksandar Pesic, midfielder Branko Jovicic and right-back Marko Gobeljic were signed as part of the transfer fees worth about 1 million Euros. Boss Vladan Milojevic has his entire roster available for the upcoming match.
Pavlodar (Kaz) vs. FK Crvena Zvezda (Srb) – Match Prediction:
My safe bet here would be over 2 goals in total as both teams proved to be very efficient on the offensive side. Also, Crvena Zvezda conceded three goals against far weaker team than Pavlodar in the first qualifying round.
MY PICK: Over 2 goals (-135)
