The second matchday of the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League sets off on Thursday. In this preview, we will analyze three matches from different groups.
It is Ludogorets 1945 Razgrad versus TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Ludogorets Arena in Bulgaria in Group C action. Meanwhile, Lyon takes on Atalanta Bergamo at Stade de Lyon for the Group E lead. Finally, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Villareal confront each other at Netanya Municipal Stadium in a Group A clash.
PFC LUDOGORETS RAZGRAD vs. TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM
3-Way: 1: PFC Ludogorets Razgrad +350; X: +280 Draw; 2: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim +112
Spread +0.5: PFC Ludogorets Razgrad -115; TSG 1899 Hoffenheim +106
Total +2.5: Over -119; Under +114
PFC LUDOGORETS RAZGRAD
PFC Ludogorets Razgrad has won four of their last five matches in all competitions, not losing since July 26 in the qualifying phase of the Europa League. Following their draw on İstanbul Başakşehir in the first matchday, they proceeded to slay Botev Plovdiv, 2:1, and Septemvri, 4:1, at the Bulgarian A League, as well as Oborishte, 3:2, at the Bulgarian Cup. They are just a point behind CSKA Sofia for the table leadership.Ludogorets have won their last three European home games and have not conceded in their last three UEFA fixtures.
TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim is out to avoid a fourth successive UEFA defeat as they have not tasted a victory at this level, losing 1:2 to Braga two weeks ago, in the first round of the Europa League. They have had a better showing at the German Bundesliga, claiming seven points since (1:1 draw with Hertha on September 17, 3:2 win against Mainz on September 21, 2:0 win against Schalke on September 23), placing them at second and two points behind Borussia Dortmund, and more importantly ahead of Bayern Munich by one, on the league table with 14 points overall.
Sandro Wagner scored a goal on two attempts on target and won six aerial duels on 1 FSV Mainz 05. Aside from a clean sheet, Benjamin Hübner had 61 completed passes against FC Schalke 04, while Mark Uth had one assist and four chances created, and Oliver Baumann had three high claims. Kerem Demirbay created three chances and won four tackles off Hertha BSC. Pavel Kaderábek is another one in good form.
LUDOGORETS RAZGRAD vs. TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM – Match Prediction
The Eagles have been invincible, and in a vacuum, this is a good case to go for them. Nevertheless, it could not be set aside that Hoffenheim has been facing tougher competition. The problem is they could not translate this when they play outside of Germany. They need that breakthrough win for them to settle.
This can end up as a draw, but Ludogorets Razgrad can lay claim on this one as they are more familiar with European level pressure.
MY PICK: Ludogorets Razgrad DC 1X (-119)
OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS vs. ATALANTA BC
3-Way: 1: Olympique Lyonnais +104; X: +275 Draw; 2: Atalanta BC +320
Spread -0.5: Olympique Lyonnais -101; Atalanta BC -105
Total +2.5: Over -122; Under +114
OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS
Olympique Lyonnais has been finding it hard to secure points as they settled for a 1:1 draw with Apollon, followed by a 0:2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain FC and a 3:3 standoff against Dijon. Due to this, they are only seventh in Ligue 1 with 12 points, their overall form not flattering them: DLDWD. Despite that, OL is on a four-game UEFA winning streak at home.
Nabil Fekir chalked up one goal in two attempts on target, as well as 20 successful final third passes, versus Dijon FCO. Anthony Lopes had five saves, including a penalty, and Memphis Depay created three chances in the PSG match.
ATALANTA BC
Atalanta BC did well in their UEFA Europa League group stage debut, beating Everton FC, 3:0. However, they only managed to score five points in three Italian Serie A matches since then (1:1 vs Chievo on September 18, 5:1 vs Crotone on September 21, 1:1 vs Fiorentina on September 25). Despite that on-off performance, they have managed to pick up steam as of late, with eight Italian Serie A points this month, putting them at ninth on the league table. This is Atalanta’s maiden encounter with French opponents and their first European away game since 1991.
Alejandro Gómez had a key role in the win over Everton and also had 13 successful final third passes in the match against ACF Fiorentina. Andrea Masiello made nine defensive interventions against the English club and caused all manner of problems with his aerial threat at the other end, too, scoring the opener and carving out two other glorious chances. Versus FC Crotone, Andrea Petagna scored a goal and had one assist, as well as 14 successful final third passes, Bryan Cristante had 67 passes completed and 17 successful final third passes, while Masiello completed 79 passes.
OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS vs. ATALANTA BC – Match Prediction
Considering the distance other teams have to travel just to go through their group stage schedule, this clash is just a figurative stone’s throw away for the visiting La Dea. It is hard to make a call on this one based on the two teams’ respective forms as they both find themselves in the middle of the pack of their respective domestic league tables. If there is one matchup I am confident in seeing finishing in a draw, it is this one.
MY PICK: Draw (+275)
MACCABI TEL AVIV FC vs. VILLAREAL CF
3-Way: 1: Maccabi Tel Aviv FC +309; X: +262 Draw; 2: Villarreal CF +114
Spread +0.5: Maccabi Tel Aviv FC -118; Villarreal CF +106
Total +2.5: Over +114; Under -120
MACCABI TEL AVIV FC
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC is one of the few clubs that were able to progress from the Europa League first qualifying round to the group stage, having done it twice in succession: this term and last. In this year’s edition, they went through KF Tirana, Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, and Panionios FC in the first three rounds before sneaking past SC Rheindorf Altach in the play-off round with a 3:2 aggregate. They, however, did not have a pleasant start in the groups, as they fell to SK Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic, 0:1.
At the Israeli Premier League, Maccabi started off with a loss before clinching three straight victories. Their last encounter, which was against Maccabi Haifa on September 24, ended up as a 0:0 draw. They are third on the table with ten points, slotting behind Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Haifa, which both own 11 points. They also topped Group B of the 2017-18 Toto Cup Al to advance to the quarterfinal round.
VILLAREAL CF
Villareal CF suffered a loss in their recent La Liga campaign, getting humiliated by Getafe, 0:4. Prior to this, they had a nil-nil draw with Espanyol after prevailing over Alavés, 3:0. After beating Real Betis, 3:1, they went on to conquer Astana in their first UEFA Europa League group stage match, 3:1.
Villarreal team is currently 14th in the domestic table with seven points, coming from the results mentioned above. They are a regular in European competition, having participated in the Europa League six times, eight if the UEFA Cup is included. With those, they have accumulated 72 points in tournaments of this level.Despite that, this is their first encounter with the Israeli side.
Rodrigo Hernández took over Bruno Soriano and chipped in an assist, as well as seven tackles, three interceptions, and a 91% pass completion rate in the W over FC Astana. He also had 62 completed passes against Getafe CF. Against RCD Espanyol, Same Castillejo had three attempts on target and four crosses attempted, Jaume Costa attempted four crosses, and CédricBakambu had two attempts on target.
MACCABI TEL AVIV FC vs. VILLAREAL CF – Match Prediction
The Villarreal team has not lost in four UEFA away fixtures (W1, D3), while Maccabi is unbeaten in six European home games (W4, D2). Although the visitors are favored by the bookies, I think that the home team might win at least a point, which is why I will take a risk and go with the double chance on Maccabi Tel Aviv.
MY PICK: Maccabi Tel Aviv DC 1X (-119)
