UEFA Europa League action resumes with the second set of fixtures of the group stage. On tap in this preview is a battle of undefeated squads on Group L as well as leaders taking on the laggards in a pair of Group D matchups.
FC ZENIT SAINT PETERSBURG vs. REAL SOCIEDAD
3-Way: 1:FC Zenit Saint Petersburg +129; X: +275 Draw; 2: Real Sociedad +250
Spread -0.5: FC Zenit Saint Petersburg +123; Real Sociedad -127
Total +2.5: Over -111; Under +112
FC ZENIT SAINT PETERSBURG
After handing Vardar a 5:0 beatdown in the first round of UEFA Europa League matches, Zenit Saint Petersburg went on to produce clean sheets against FC Ufa and FC Krasnodar at the Russian Premier League, scoring a total of five goals in those two fixtures. However, they lost their derby with FC Dynamo Saint Petersburg, 2:3, at the Russian Cup. Along with their scoreless draw against FC Dynamo Moscow, they have a form of WLWWD across all competitions this month.
Historically, Zenit does well in the group stage of the Europa League, one of eight teams to sweep the group stages, doing so in 2010-11. This also ties them with Napoli in 2015-16 for the biggest group-winning margin with 11 points. Presently, they have won their last seven continental group stage games. Domestically, St Petersburg is at first with 27 points, four points ahead of Lokomotiv Moscow.
Aleksandr Kokorin was everywhere against Vardar, finishing with a brace and an assist. He also won five aerial duels against Krasnodar. Meanwhile, Domenico Criscito had one assist and four chances created in that match. Branislav Ivanovic also had an assist. Other players who performed well during the weekend were Andrey Lunyov, Emanuel Mammana, and Daler Kuzyayev. Last term’s top UEL scorer Giulianio is now with Turkish side Fenerbahçe.
REAL SOCIEDAD
Ever since winning against Rosenborg, 4:0, Real Sociedad de Fútbol went on to lose their next three Primera División matches, dropping 1:3 to Real Madrid, 0:3 to Levante, and 2:3 to Valencia, giving them a form of LLLWW. The three straight losses have them stalled at nine points, the same as Levante UD, placing them at eighth and two spots away from a European qualifier spot. Although La Real won last time out, they have lost four of their last five European away matches.
Diego Llorente had two goals and a masterful defensive display in what was only his second outing of the season, with four clearances and three interceptions over Rosenborg in the opening round of the Europa League group stage. Sergio Canales, meanwhile, had one assist, three attempts on target, five chances created, eight crosses, had three dribbles, and won three corners, practically becoming a thorn on the Norwegian team. In the match against Valencia CF, Asier Illarramendi had 85 passes completed and 29 successful final third passes, Xabi Prieto had 24 successful final third passes, David Zurutuza had 56 passes completed, 13 successful final third passes, and three shots blocked, Álvaro Odriozola had 17 successful final third passes and four crosses attempted, and Aritz Elustondo had a goal and six clearances. Meanwhile, Gerónimo Rulli had six saves and Carlos Vela had four chances created and 19 successful final third passes opposite Levante.
FC ZENIT SAINT PETERSBURG vs. REAL SOCIEDAD – Match Prediction
Their hiccup against Dinamo Moskva aside, Zenit St Petersburg knows how to keep their opponents at bay. They are also sturdy at home as the only Spanish club to beat them in Russia has been Real Madrid back in 2008 at the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, the Errealaare not having the best form right now. Zenit to win is my safe pick in this matchup.
MY PICK: FC Zenit Saint Petersburg to win (+129)
AC MILAN vs. HNK RIJEKA
3-Way: 1: AC Milan -312; X: +570 Draw; 2: HNK Rijeka +1450
Spread -1.5: AC Milan -127; HNK Rijeka +122
Total +3: Over -103; Under -105
AC MILAN
AC Milan suffered a loss in this weekend’s Italian Serie A, getting shut out by Sampdoria 0:2, putting to a halt their two-match winning streak after overcoming SPAL 2013 and Udinese the previous week, giving them a five-match form of LWWWL. Their league trend in the first six weeks has been WWLWWL, giving them 12 points, which is good for 12 points and the sixth spot on the table. Top flight leaders Napoli and Juventus are six points away, while Roma is fifth with 12 points as well.
André Silva had three goals from three attempts against Austria Wien in the first round of the Europa League, as the Portuguese striker become the first Milan player to score a European hattrick since Kaká in 2006. He also had 15 successful final third passes against SPAL. Meanwhile, HakanÇalhanoglu scored one for himself and set up two forSilvain the opening 20 minutes of that match, connecting 66 of his 73 passes, 16 coming in the final third, as well. He had four chances created and four crosses attempted versus SPAL. Franck Kessié had one goal, three chances created, and 16 successful final third passes against SPAL.Suso had 13 successful final third passes and five crosses attempted opposite Sampdoria.
HNK RIJEKA
Rijeka found itself succumbing to AEK FC in the first round of the Europa League group stage matches. Nevertheless, they were able to recover in domestic competitions, overcoming HNK Hajduk Split in the Croatian First League then advancing to the next round of the Croatian Cup after beating NK Vrbovec, 3:1.
A draw against NK Slaven Belupo gives them 22 points after 10 matches at the top flight, slotting them at second behind Dinamo Zagreb, which has 26 points. Héber was responsible for the goal on Slaven Koprivnica.
AC MILAN vs. NHK RIJEKA – Match Prediction
If RJK cannot get past AEK, what are the chances they will overcome ACM at San Siro? Another thing going the way of the Italian camp is that it has won all four of the previous meetings with Croatian sides while having won all five European games this season (15 goals for, one goal against). Expect a dominant win over the home team.
MY PICK: AC Milan AH -1.5 (-127)
AEK ATHENS FC vs. FK AUSTRIA WIEN
3-Way: 1: AEK Athens FC -154; X: +320 Draw; 2: FK Austria Wien +630
Spread -1: AEK Athens +100; Austria Wien -103
Total +2.5: Over +129; Under -133
AEK ATHENS FC
AEK Athens mounted a stirring comeback win against Olympiacos in this weekend’s Superleague Greece action, 3:2, staying undefeated since early August. For this month, they had victories over Larissa (4:0), Lamia (1:0 at the Superleague, 2:0 at the Greek Cup), as well as Rijeka in the first matchday of the Europa League group stage. With this, they are at first place on the Greek table with 13 points, the only time they have dropped points were against PAS Giannina FC. Meanwhile, The Dikéfalos Aetós’ record against Austrian sides is W3, D1, L4. Lazaros Christodoulopoulos scored two of the three goals against Olympiacos FC this weekend.
FK AUSTRIA WIEN
After FK Austria Wien got thrashed by Milan, 1:5, in the first round of the Europa League, they went on to trounce St Pölten with the same scoreline before defeating Vöcklamarkt at the Austrian OFB Cup, 3:0. Most recently, they ended up having a goalless draw with Red Bull Salzburg on September 24. Their form for the month is DWWLD. Austria Vienna is third on the Austrian Bundesliga table with 15 points, slightly trailing first placer Sturm Graz, which has 19, and Red Bull Salzburg, which has 16, as the first half of the season reached the halfway point.
Die Veilchen did not win in both of their previous games in Greece, although they have lost only one of their last nine European away games. Raphael Holzhauser notched one goal, three attempts on target, and 106 passes completed against SKN St Pölten.
AEK ATHENS FC vs. FK AUSTRIA WIEN – Match Prediction
Between the two, the Énosis are in better form coming into this fixture. Although Austria Wien has been playing well on the road, they have not tasted a victory on Greek shores. In a tight contest, I expect both teams to play more defensively, which could lead to a low-scoring encounter. Therefore, go with the under.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (-133)
