As higher the qualification round gets, the higher the players’ and fans’ expectations go. Two teams that will square off in the final game of the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League competition at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon, France on May 16th, 2018 have to survive several stages of the competition including these qualification rounds.
When we look in it from the probability point of view, 49 teams have the theoretical chance to play in every stage of the competition before reaching the final game. Reality is a bit different because no team has yet achieved that (appeared in every stage of competition) because the strongest squad enter the race in the later stages. Of those 49, 18 teams are still in the game and some of them have a really solid chance of advancing to the play-off round having in mind the results in the first leg. We’ll see how it goes.
Oleksandrya (Ukr) vs. Astra (Rou)
Three-Way: 1: Oleksandrya +108; X: +242; Astra +338
Spread: -0.5: Oleksandrya +100; Astra -114
Total +2: Over -118; Under +119
OLEKSANDRYA
The Oleksandrya team is the worst ranking team from the Ukrainian Premier League in 2016 (6th) who managed to secure the UEFA Europa League berth. They entered the competition in the third qualifying round and recorded a peaceful 0:0 draw in the first leg in Romania. Having in mind that they’ll be satisfied with any kind of win in the second leg, they can be considered as the favorites right now.
During the offseason team signed seven new players including right-back Pavlo Pashaev who came from national league rivals PFK Stal on a free transfer. On the other side, nine players left the team while left-back Andriy Tsurikov returned to his home team Dynamo Kyiv after his loan spell ended on June 30th. Defender Sergiy Basov will not be available for the rematch because of the suspension.
ASTRA
CFR Cluj team should be in this spot right now as they managed to finish fourth in the national league competition of Romania last season but they failed to obtain a UEFA license and as a result, the second qualifying round berth was given the sixth-placed team of the league, Astra Giurgiu. They went pass Azerbaijan representatives Zira team in the second round of the Europa League qualifications and now they face a very tough opponent from Ukraine.
During the offseason they sold couple of their best players for a combined fee of 1.40 Million Euros to Turkish side Kayserispor, while six more players left the team on a free transfer basis. On the other side, 11 new players signed for the team including a defender Florin Bejan who came from Cracovia Krakow. Coach Alexandr Radu will have his entire roster available for Thursday.
Oleksandrya (Ukr) vs. Astra (Rou) – Match Prediction
I think that the Ukrainian team has the upper hand in this matchup and that they can wrap up a home win. That’s where my money will go.
MY PICK: Oleksandrya to win (+108)
Maritimo (Por) vs. Botev Plovdiv (Bul).
Three-Way: 1: Maritimo -189; X: +334; Botev Plovdiv +736
Spread -1: Maritimo -110; Botev +100
Total +2.5: Over +120; Under -120
MARITIMO
Another sixth-placed team in the national championship entered the Europa League competition in this third qualifying round, Portuguese side Maritimo. First leg against the Bulgarian representatives on the road ended with a goalless draw and now they’ll have the chance to secure the next stage in front of their own crowd.
Their 2016 roster suffered some big changes as eight players left and 13 players signed for the team. Most notable acquisition is centre-forward Viktor Lundberg who came from Danish team Randers FC while centre-back Deyvison left the team in order to sign for Arouca on a free transfer. Manager Daniel Ramos will not have Gevorg Ghazaryan (knee) and Amido Balde (unknown) at his disposal for Thursday.
BOTEV PLOVDIV
The Bulgarian team stormed through the first two Europa League qualifying rounds by defeating Partizani Tirana in the first and Beitar Jerusalem in the second round, scoring nine goals combined in four matches while conceding only two. Interesting fact is that eight different players managed to score at least one goal in the competition so far (only Felipe Brisola scored two).
Team was very busy during the offseason as 11 new players were signed and 11 left the team. Most notable signing was goalie Daniel Kajzer who came from ROW Rybnik on a free transfer. Botev team doesn’t have any injured players at the moment.
Maritimo (Por) vs. Botev Plovdiv (Bul) – Match Prediction
This is one of the most interesting clashes in this round, having in mind both teams strength and the result for the first leg (0:0). That’s the reason why I would go here with a bit bolder prediction, saying that it will end with a draw after 90 minutes of play. Also, I expect another low scoring game, so I will suggest also the Under!!!
MY PICK: Draw (+334)
Additional Pick: Under 2.5 goals (-120)
Midtjylland (Den) vs. Arka Gdynia (Pol)
Three-Way: 1: Midtjylland -208; X: +396; Arka Gdynia +650
Spread -1.5: Midtjylland +127; Arka Gdynia -139
Total +3: Over -122; Under +104
MIDTJYLLAND
After destroying Derry City in the Europa League first round (10:2 in aggregate) and Ferencvaros in the second round (7:3 in aggregate), one-time Danish Champion Midtjyland team was part of another high-scoring game as the result after the final whistle in the first leg in Poland was 3:2 for the home team.
With two goals scored on the road, the Danes look pretty confident that they can produce the result that will propel them into the next stage of the competition.
Ten players left the team during the offseason and most notable departure was the transfer of keeper Johan Dahlin to Malmo FF for a fee of 350.000 Euros. On the other side 13 new players were announced including goalkeeper Jesper Hansen, winger Gustav Wikheim, midfielder Bozhidar Kraev and defender Alexander Sorloth whose combined transfers are worth around 2 Million Euros. Manager Jess Thorup will not have Rasmus Nicolaisen (Knee) and Markus Halsti (Suspension) at his disposal.
ARKA GDYNIA
The last season’s Polish Cup winners, Arka Gdynia team earned the Europa League third qualifying round berth and were not too happy with the draw after learning the fact that they must lock horns with most efficient team in the first two rounds whose players scored astonishing 17 goals in four matches.
They managed to pull a last minute win after Rafal Siemaszko scored the third goal for his team in the second minute of the injury time but it’s very unlikely that this result can be enough to provide the Polish side with the next stage advancement.
Team was very busy during the offseason, signing 10 new guys while on the other side 6 players left the team including central midfielder Dominik Hofbauer who was sold to SKN St. Polten for a fee of 100.000 Euros. Manager Leszek Ojrzynski will have his entire roster available for the rematch.
Midtjylland (Den) vs. Arka Gdynia (Pol) – Match Prediction
Having in mind recent trends of the Danish squad, more than three goals in total is a no brainer.
MY PICK: Over 3 goals (-122)
