English club Everton will pay a visit to Slovakia to finish off the job against a gritty Ruzomberok side, while Videoton will host French club Bordeaux and hope to provide stiff resistance. Israeli clubs Maccabi Tel Aviv and Yehuda, will visit Panionios of Greece and welcome Zenit St Petersburg respectively, with all the teams playing for one final objective-to qualify into the next round of the Europa League competition.
RUZOMBEROK (SVK) vs EVERTON (ENG)
Three-way: 1: Ruzomberok +825; X: +399 Draw; 2: Everton -227
Spread +1.5: Ruzomberok -141; Everton +129
Total +2.5: Over -106; Under +100
RUZOMBEROK (SVK)
Ruzomberok finished third last season in the domestic league. They had the second best attack in the league, with 58 goals scored in 32 matches. They conceded 39 goals during this stretch.
They have made a habit of comeback in the previous Europa League qualifiers this season. In the first round, they lost the first leg against Vojvodina by 2:1, only to come back and win 2:0 at home. Similarly, they lost 0:1 in the first leg of the second round, only to make a comeback and win 0:2 again.
They have only confirmed two signings so far in this transfer window. They have signed Albanian midfielder Kristi Qose from PAOK and Dominik Kunca from Michalove, both coming on free transfers.
EVERTON (ENG)
Under Ronald Koeman, Everton had a very good season as they knocked on the doors of the top 6, eventually finishing 7th in the English Premier league. They qualified for the Europa League qualifiers as sixth placed Manchester United won the Europa League and hence went to the Champions league.
The Toffees have played three friendly matches in the preseason so far, with two wins and a draw in those matches. They have scored 6 goals and conceded two in those matches.
They have had a very good transfer window so far. There have been many big money young signings like Jordan Pickford in goal and defender Michael Keane (€28.5 million each), talented winger Henry Onyekuru for €8 million, Ajax star Davy Klaassen for €27 million, along with former teen prodigy Wayne Rooney’s return, all of which indicate towards a positive transfer window.
RUZOMBEROK (SVK) vs EVERTON (ENG)-Match Prediction:
Even though Ruzomberok has shown a knack for comebacks, they surely have a slim chances against an opposition of Everton’s might. The English team should not have much trouble cruising through this Europa League round, and hence, my prediction will be an away win.
MY PICK: Everton AH +1.5 (+129)
VIDEOTON (HUN) vs BORDEAUX (FRA)
Three-way: 1: Videoton +334; X: +272 Draw; 2: Bordeaux +100
Spread +0.5: Videoton -105; Bordeaux -105
Total +2.5: Over -103; Under -104
VIDEOTON (HUN)
After coming agonizingly close to the title last year, Videoton has made a very average start to the league campaign. Of the first three matches, they have won one, and drawn the other two. They have scored 6 goals while conceding 4 in this duration.
In the first round of the Europa League qualifiers, they won 2:0 at home against Balzan, which was followed by an 3:3 draw away. In the next round, they took a commanding lead in the away leg, which was followed by a drab 1:1 home draw.
They have signed Nigerian forward Ezekial Henty from Lokomotiv for 500 thousand Euros. They have also recruited youngsters from Puskas AFC in Bence Szabo and Bence Toth, both joining on free transfers.
BORDEAUX (FRA)
Bordeaux had a decent campaign in the domestic league last season, as they managed to put in consistent displays and hence finish 6th. They scored 53 goals while conceding 43 in 38 matches.
The French club has played four friendly matches, winning all four of them. In this duration, they have scored a total of 7 goals while keeping an impressive three clean sheets and conceding just one goal.
They have signed right back Youssouf Sabaly from PSG for €4 million, and midfielder Lukas Lerager from Waregem for €3.5 million. They have also recruited Benoit Costil on a free transfer to play in goal.
VIDEOTON (HUN) vs BORDEAUX (FRA)-Match Prediction:
The first leg was an interesting match for both teams, which eventually ended with a win for Bordeaux. Even though Videoton has good players and tactical approach to the game, they will not be able to defeat Bordeaux most probably. Therefore, my prediction will be an away win.
MY PICK: Bordeaux to win (+100)
PANIONIOS (GRE) vs MACCABI TEL AVIV (ISR)
Three-way: 1: Panionios +192; X: +214 Draw; 2: Maccabi Tel Aviv +188
Spread 0: Panionios +102; Maccabi Tel Aviv +100
Total +2: Over -112; Under +102
PANIONIOS (GRE)
Panionios finished last league campaign in 5th position, getting the last spot to enter the Europa League qualifiers. They had a good defense that conceded just 23 goals in 38 matches, but they had scored just 38 goals in the same time.
In the previous Europa League round, Panionios won both the legs against Gorica in the qualifiers. The first leg was a home defeat where they were comfortable 2:0 winners, while the second leg was an exciting contest where the Greek side emerged as winners with the final score being 2:3.
They have added Cameroonian defender Yaya Banana, along with Greek defenders Georgios Sarmantas, Giannis Kargas, and Papageorgiou, along joining the club on free transfers.
MACCABI TEL AVIV (ISR)
Tel Aviv gave a very good fight to Beer Sheva, but eventually fell three points short of the title and ended up at second position in the league last season. They had the second best attack and the second best defense, with 45 goals scored in 26 matches and 19 conceded.
They have won all their previous matches in the first and second round of the Europa League qualifiers. The first was a home win by 2:0 against Tirana, followed by a 0:3 away win. The second round saw Maccabi Tel Aviv defeat KR by 3:1 in the first leg, and by 0:2 in the second.
They have signed former Granada winger Omer Atzili for €1 million, while also bringing in young midfielder Matan Baltaska from Petah Tikva for 170 thousand Euros. Joining them is Italian Midfielder Cristian Battocchio from Stade Brest, who has joined on a free transfer.
PANIONIOS (GRE) vs MACCABI TEL AVIV (ISR)- Match Prediction:
The first match was definitely a very close affair, with Maccabi just edging it through by a 1:0 win. Now, this will be an away game for them, which makes it even tougher. However, looking at the players list, I feel that this match is also edging towards an away win for Tel Aviv. Therefore, my prediction will be a close match with an away win for Maccabi Tel Aviv.
MY PICK: MACCABI TEL AVIV (+188)
Additional pick: Both teams to score NO (-118)
ZENIT PETERSBURG (RUS) vs YEHUDA (ISR)
Three-way: 1: Zenit Petersburg -667; X: +817 Draw; 2: Yehuda +2700
Spread -2.5: Zenit Petersburg +127; Yehuda -147
Total +3.5: Over +129; Under -143
ZENIT PETERSBURG (RUS)
Zenit went agonizingly close to getting a place in champions league qualifiers but they just fell one point short in the end. They had the second best defense in the league as they conceded just 17 goals in 30 matches, while they also had scored the most goals in the league with 50.
In the preseason, they played two friendlies. They lost the first one against Ludogorets by 0:1, and then won the next one against Austria Wien by 1:2.
They have made quite a few big signings in this transfer window. They have signed Leandro Paredes from Roma for 23 million, while joining him are his compatriots Emanueal Mammana from Lyon, and Sebastian Driussi from River Plate, each coming for 16 and 15 million respectively.
YEHUDA (ISR)
Yehuda had a poor campaign last year, but they still managed to get into the Europa League qualifiers due to their triumph of the Israeli domestic Cup. They managed only 25 points last year, as they succumbed to a 11th place finish.
In the previous round, Yehuda won 3:1 on aggregate against Trencin. The first leg was an away 1:1 draw, which was followed by a comfortable 2:0 victory at home.
They have signed players from many of their rivals in this transfer window. They have signed Young striker Matan Hozez from Maccabi Tel Aviv, Yuval AShKenazi from Shalem and Ben Turgeman from Beer Sheva, with the fees of all the transfers unknown.
ZENIT PETERSBURG (RUS) vs YEHUDA (ISR)- Match Prediction:
The first leg, even though it was an away match for Zenit, was a comfortable win for the Russian side, as they strolled to a 2:0 win. Yehuda will have pride at stake, and will put on a tough challenge, but at home, they have next to chance of defeating Zenit. Therefore, my prediction will be a home win in this match.
MY PICK: ZENIT PETERSBURG AH -2.5 (+127)
