The second round of the UEFA Europa League is scheduled for Thursday, September 28th, 2017, and 24 games will be played across the Europe. In this preview we would like to take a closer look at three matches – Lugano hosts FCSB at Luzern Arena, Nice welcomes Vitesse at Allianz Riviera, while Ostersunds meets Hertha Berlin at Jamtkraft Arena.
LUGANO vs. FCSB
Three-Way: 1: Lugano +240; X: +254 Draw; 2: FCSB +136
Spread +0.5: Lugano -141; FCSB +131
Total +2.5: Over +110; Under -114
LUGANO
The Swiss side Lugano is in bad form recently as they’ve lost four of their last five games. The only win came against Koniz, 1:0, in the Swiss Cup with a goal deep in the stoppage time of the second half. In the previous round of the Swiss Super League Lugano’s lost from Grasshoppers, 3:0, in front of the home fans. In the first round of the Europa League they were beaten by Hapoel Beer Sheva at Turner Stadium, 2:1, and now they will be looking for their first points in this competition.
The centre-backs Vladimir Golemic, Steve Rouiller, and Fulvio Sulmoni are holding the Lugano’s defensive line, while Jonathan Sabbatini and Dragan Mihajlovic are key players in the midfield. The forwards Alexander Gerndt, Younes Bnou Marzouk and Carlinhos Junior all have scored three goals so far, and they’ll be the main threat for FCSB’s defense.
The manager Pierluigi Tami doesn’t have serious injury worries, as all players are ready and fit, besides the left-back Goran Jozinovic, who’s out since February 4th, due to a cruciate ligament rupture.
FCSB
FCSB is traveling to Switzerland with a huge boost to their self-confidence after they’ve won a derby match against Dinamo Bucharest in a Romanian Liga 1, 1:0. The former European Cup champion from 1986 has never won a game in Switzerland (four draws and two defeats), so they are hoping for the first victory this time.
In the previous round, FCSB was brilliant at home, smashing Viktoria Plzen, 3:0. The striker Constantin Budescu got a brace in the first half, while the forward Denis Alibec certified the victory in the 72nd minute. Budescu is a club’s top scorer this season, with six goals on his account. Another forward Harlem Gnohere, who came off the bench against Plzen, is waiting his chance, as he bagged four goals so far in all competitions. The 22-year old winger Florin Tanase is another key player in the FCSB’s squad, as the Romanian youngster netted four times so far, adding two assists to his name.
The FCSB’s manager Nicolae Dica can count on all players, as they are no injury worries among the squad. He can field his best eleven at the moment, searching for another positive result in this years Europa League campaign.
LUGANO vs. FCSB – Match Prediction
It is going to be Lugano’s first encounter against Romanian opponents, as they certainly want to stay undefeated, although they’ll play at Luzern Arena as a home stadium. On the other side, FCSB didn’t lose a European away game this season, and they will be looking to continue this trend to stay at the top of the table.
I expect to see an entertaining match with some goals on both sides. If I have to put my money on one of these two teams, it would be FCSB, and maybe the both teams to score as my additional pick.
MY PICK: FCSB to win (+136)
NICE vs. VITESSE
Three-Way: 1: Nice -189; X: +384 Draw; 2: Vitesse +769
Spread -1: Nice -135; Vitesse +125
Total +2.5: Over -132; Under +121
NICE
After some disappointing results at the start of the season, Nice is finally getting the right course. Two demolition jobs, against Monaco in the Ligue 1, 4:0, and Waregem in the first round of the Europa League, 5:1, brought back the smile at Allianz Riviera. In the last two games in the French Ligue 1Nice earned four points, beating Rennes, 1:0, and playing a draw with Angers in front of the home fans.
Against Vitesse in the second round of the Europa League Lucien Favre’s guys will look to stay on the same track. Mario Balotelli and Alassane Plea will lead the team as these two forwards have scored 11 goals in total so far. The winger Pierre Lees Melou should also be in the starting lineup, as he dished three assists to his teammates, one of those against Waregem in the previous round.
Nice certainly has some problems with defending, as the team has conceded eight goals in the first seven Ligue 1 matches, allowing Angers to get two in the seventh round. The center-back duo Le Marchand and Dante aren’t playing on the highest level, and they need to improve as soon as possible. Offensively, Favre’s boys are looking good, as they are creating almost ten scoring opportunities per game in a domestic league.
With no injury worries among the squad, Lucien Favre can field the best eleven, but he can also make some changes to rest a few players.
VITESSE
In a previous round of the Dutch Eredivisie Vitesse shocked Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena, 2:1, having arguably the best first half of the season. The defender Guram Kashia scored the opening goal, while the talented midfielder Milot Rashica doubled the lead just before the halftime. In the second half, Vitesse had only one shot on goal, still succeeding to grab a win in the end. The proud of Gelderland is now sitting on the third place of the Eredivisie table, with 13 points from six matches. With 14 goals scored Vitesse is the second most efficient team, behind PSV.
The 27-year old South African Thulani Serero is orchestrating the game from the midfield, as he has the highest pass accuracy (94%) with the most completed passes (210) in just four apps in the domestic league. The left-back Alexander Buttner is another key player with three assists and 13 key passes so far.
In the first round of the Europa League Vitesse was beaten by Lazio at home,3:2, after a 1:0 lead at the halftime. Milot Rashica was playing exceptionally well with two assists for his teammates. Now Henk Fraser’s boys are facing another tough challenge, as they need to stay undefeated if they want to keep the pace with Lazio and Nice. Fraser can count on all players, as they are no injury problems among the squad.
NICE vs. VITESSE – Match Prediction
Nice is a huge favorite in this game, and I expect to see them winning the three points covering the AH. Vitesse still doesn’t have a win against French clubs in four UEFA matches, and they’ll need a top-notch display to get their first victory. Against Ajax Fraser’s guys showed us they are capable of making the upset, and it’s interesting that Nica played against Ajax in the Champions League semi-final qualifying round, knocking them out after two draws (1:1 and 2:2).
MY PICK: Nice to Win AH -1 (-135)
OSTERSUNDS vs. HERTHA BERLIN
Three-Way: 1: Ostersunds +229; X: +250 Draw; 2: Hertha Berlin +156
Spread 0: Ostersunds +134; Hertha Berlin -132
Total +2.5: Over +129; Under -141
OSTERSUNDS
Ostersunds was the biggest surprise this summer reaching the group stage of the Europa League, and in the first round, they’ve made another bombshell beating Zorya at Lviv Arena, 2:0. Now they are facing the biggest challenge so far, hosting Hertha Berlin in their first encounter against German clubs. Ostersunds have won all their three UEFA games at home without conceding.
Graham Potter’s boys are playing in a relaxed manner, heading into every game as outsiders. They play well-organized defense, counting on quick counter-attacks. In the Swedish Allsvenskan Ostersund is currently at the sixth spot with 39 points after 25 rounds (W10 D9 L6). The striker Saman Ghoddos is a club’s top goalscorer with 14 goals so far in all competitions, while the midfielder Johan Bertilsson added 8 to his name.
With all players ready to go, Graham Potter can pick up his best eleven.
HERTHA BERLIN
In the first round of the Europa League Hertha played a goalless draw with Athletic Bilbao in front of the home fans. At the Jamtkraft Arena, The Old Lady will be looking for the first win, as the German side won all three previous UEFA games with Swedish teams.
In the German Bundesliga, Hertha is laying at the eight place with the same number of points after the first six rounds. The manager Pal Dardai prefers a defensive and vigilant approach which gave great results last season. His team has created 36 scoring chances, averaging 78% of pass accuracy per game. Mathew Leckie is a top goalscorer with four Bundesliga goals, while Vedad Ibisevic made three assists.
Pal Dardai will have some problems with injured players, as a midfielder Vladimir Darida, and forwards Julian Schieber and Davie Selke are all doubtful for this match.
OSTERSUNDS vs. HERTHA BERLIN – Match Prediction
Every string has the end, and I think it is time for Ostersunds to concede at home. I’ll put my money on Hertha in this one, as Dardai’s boys are a better team with some experienced players. Likewise, I believe his tactical approach should be crucial.
MY PICK: Hertha Berlin to Win (+156)
