This second Europa League qualifying round will feature couple of very interesting matchups as 16 new teams with higher European coefficient (indicator of the level of past successes in the European competitions) will join 50 winners from the first qualifying stage. The teams like Galatasaray, Utrecht and Hajduk Split are in the mix from now on and the clashes are gaining on quality. Another four-match preview is ready so let’s take a closer look and hopefully make our wallets full.
Niederkorn (Lux) vs. AEL Limassol (Cyp)
Three-Way: 1: Niederkorn +800; X: +380 Draw; AEL Limassol -238
Spread +1.5: Niederkorn -132; AEL Limassol +123
Total +2.5: Over -133; Under +123
NIEDERKORN
The Luxembourgian side Progres Niederkorn provided us with one of the biggest upsets of the first Europa League qualifying round after sending home the Scottish team Rangers (former Glasgow Rangers), 2:1 on aggregate.
In the first leg in Glasgow team recorded a 1:0 loss but at home, they managed to score two goals (Emmanuel Francoise in 66th minute and Sebastien Thill in 75th minute) while conceding none and that was enough to secure the second stage appearance.
During the offseason team completely transformed its roster, signing 11 new players and releasing 9. Most notable departure was Igor Pereira who went to league rival Mondercange on a free transfer while most noticeable acquisition was the signing of German centre-back Ben Vogel who came from Vict. Rosport, also on a free transfer. Dzenid Ramdedovic (groin), Mario Mutsch (Hamstring) and Sebastien Flauss (Hamtring) will not be available for Thursday due to injuries.
AEL LIMASSOL
The Cyprian team AEL Limassol went through the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League like through the Swiss cheese as they destroyed the Gibraltar team St. Joseph’s, 10:0 on aggregate (4:o win on the road and 6:0 win at home). Top players in this beating were Marios Elia and Kevin Lafrance who scored two goals each during two matches.
During the offseason team was pretty active on the transfer market, strengthening their squad with eight new signings while four players left the team. Most notable addition was the right-back Andre Teixeira who came from Portuguese side Leixoes on a free transfer basis. Manager Bruno Baltazar will have his entire roster available for Thursday.
Niederkorn (Lux) vs. AEL Limassol (Cyp) – Match Prediction:
This is one of the more interesting clashes as both teams have hopes of advancing to the next round. They posses rosters that are pretty equal in quality but my safe bet here would be under 2.5 goals in total.
MY PICK: Under +2.5 goals (+123)
Norrkoping (Swe) vs. Trakai (Ltu)
Three-Way: 1: Norrkoping -323; X: +500 Draw; 2: Trakai +1207
Spread -1.5; Norrkoping -114; Trakai +108
Total +3: Over +102; Under -108
NORRKOPING
The team that finished the last season ranked third in the Swedish Premier League didn’t have a hard job in the first qualifying round of the Europa League as they defeated the newcomer in the competition Kosovo’s team Prishtina, 6:0 on aggregate.
Five goals in the opponents net at home and a minimal 1:0 win on the road were enough to provide the opponent with a bitter debut season in the European competitions.
During the offseason team signed 12 new players including the winger David Moberg Karlsson who came from Nordsjaelland for a fee of 350.000 Euros. On the other side eight players left the team including winger Arnor Ingvi Traustason who went to Rapid Vienna (2.3 Million Euros transfer fee) and Tesfaldet Tekie who went to KAA Gent (1.6 Million Euros transfer fee). Henrik Castergen (Cruciate ligament), Adin Bukva (unknown) and Marwan Baze (Cruciate ligament) are unavailable for the upcoming match.
TRAKAI
The Lithuanian squad Trakai also made a solid upset by going pass the Scottish side St. Johnstone in the Europa League first qualifying round, 3:1 on aggregate. After the first leg in Scotland where the guests defeated the home team 2:1, with one goal each by Maksim Maksimov and Vaidotas Šilenas, it became obvious that the St. Johnstone team has far stronger opponent than previously thought. Second leg 1:0 win in Lithuania sealed the deal and propelled the underdogs to the next stage.
During the offseason only midfielder Euegen Zasavitchi joined the team after returning from a loan spell at GKS Tychy while no players left the team. Manager Oleg Vasilenko has his entire roster available.
Norrkoping (Swe) vs. Trakai (Ltu) – Match Prediction:
The Trakia team could be the sleeper of the round and I’m not sold on the obvious advantage everyone is giving to the Swedish team. Here, I would go with a draw as the first leg final result. A low scoring game is also an option to bet on.
MY PICK: Draw +500
Additional Pick: Under 3 goals (-108)
Osijek (Cro) vs. Luzern (Sui)
Three-Way: 1: Osijek +114; X: +250 Draw; 2: Luzern +279
Spread -0.5: Osijek +108; Luzern -123
Total +2.5: +110; Under -125
OSIJEK
The only Croatian representative in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round, Osijek, had an easy job as they faced Andorran side UE Santa Coloma and defeated them twice with six goals scored and no goals conceded to advance to the second stage. On Thursday they will face far stronger opponent, the Swiss side Luzern which is one of the 16 new teams added to the second stage.
Team was active during the offseason securing the acquisition of two young players from national league rival NK Lokomotiva, wingers Eros Grezda and Petar Bockaj for a combined transfer fee of 1 Million Euros. Also, two players left the team on a free transfer basis. Head coach Zoran Zekic has entire roster available for the upcoming match.
LUZERN
One time Swiss national champions and two times Swiss Cup winners the Luzern squad finished the last season ranked fifth in the national league table, earning the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round berth. On Thursday night they’ll face relatively weaker opponent but it’s still not time to relax having in mind that Croats can present a very tough opponent.
In the offseason, nine players left the team (all on a free transfer basis) while eight new players were signed and four U21 squad members were promoted to the first team. Most notable acquisition is defender Nicolas Schindelholz who came from FC Thun on a free transfer basis. Boss Markus Babbel will not have Lucas (Thigh) and newcomer Nicolas Schindelholz (Cruciate ligament) available due to injuries.
Osijek (Cro) vs. Luzern (Sui) – Match Prediction:
Both teams should enter the game very carefully because they are not very familiar with each others’ attributes. In this matchup anything is possible, as Luzern presents not a top level Swiss soccer team and Osijek knows that they can play well on this level of competition. My safe bet here would be under 2.5 goals in total.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-125)
Ostersunds (Swe) vs. Galatasaray (Tur)
Three-Way: 1: Ostersunds +350; X: +275 Draw; 2: Galatasaray +104
Spread +0.5: Ostersunds -109; Galatasaray +116
Total +2.5: Over -120; Under +114
OSTERSUNDS
Last season Swedish Cup winners, Ostersunds team didn’t have much luck in the draw as they are the only team that earned the direct berth to the second qualifying round of the Europa League in which they will face another team that is coming in this stage of competition, the famous Turkish team, Galatasaray. This could be the end of the European competitions performances for the team this year but nevertheless it should provide great experience to the players.
During the offseason the team was inactive on the transfer market as no new players were signed but three guys left, including the twenty six years old right-back Tim Bjorkstrom who returned to his original club Djurgardens after his loan spell expired. English head coach Graham Potter will have entire roster at his disposal for Thursday.
GALATASARAY
Twenty times Turkish champions and 17 times Cup of Turkey winner Galatasaray team will appear in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League after ending the last season ranked fourth in the national league table. Turks are definitely one of the favorites to make it into the group stage of this year’s competition and they will start their journey against a solid opponent form Sweden.
During the offseason, team signed three new players for a combined fee of 17.5 Million Euros. Midfielder Younes Belhanda was signed from Dynamo Kyiv (8 Mil. Euros), Maicon was signed from Sao Paulo (7 Mil. Euros) and Bafetimbi Gomis was signed form Swansea (2.5 Mil. Euros). On the other hand, they sold Midfielder Bruma to RB Leipzig for a fee of 12.5 Million Euros.
Ostersunds (Swe) vs. Galatasaray (Tur) – Match Prediction:
The Turkish side is a big favorite in this matchup and a road win should not come in question.
MY PICK: Galatasaray (+104)
