The analysis of the matches in the twelfth and the final group of the UEFA Europa League competition, group L is the only one left so lets’ get on it. The contenders for the eight-finals here are Rosenborg (Norway), Zenit Sankt Petersburg (Russia), Real Sociedad (Spain) and Vardar Skopje (Macedonia). Besides the Macedonians who are the obvious underdogs in this company, all three other squads have certain chances of advancing further.
Top position is being held by the Russians who collected a maximum of nine points after three rounds while Spaniards have six. Rosenborg has only one win so far and 4-8 goal difference but as aforementioned, all three squads are still in the game.
Rosenborg (Nor) vs. Zenit Petersburg (Rus)
Three-Way: 1: Rosenborg +330; X: +280 Draw; 2: Zenit Petersburg +102 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: Rosenborg -104; Zenit Petersburg +102
Total +2.5: Over +100; Under -104
ROSENBORG
The Norwegians are 1-0-2 so far with a home win over Vardar (3:1) and two road losses in Sociedad (0:4) and in Sankt Petersburg (1:3). Some reason for optimism comes from the fact that they’ll face both contenders for the No. 2 spot at home and the first one is scheduled for Thursday. Veteran striker Nicklas Bendtner leads the team in the Europa League so far with one goal and one assist while Vegar Hadenstad, Pal Andre Helland, and Anders Konradsen all have one goal each in their accounts.
In the national league, they are the sovereign leaders at the moment with 58 points in 27 games, eight more than the second-ranked Molde. Their record is 17-7-3 and their goal difference is 54-17 but they are coming off from a slight upset, a goalless home draw against the subpar Stabaek squad. Bendtner tops the team and the league in scoring with 17 goals while Milan Jevtovic has nine so far. Pal Helland is top assister with eight (3rd in the league).
Central midfielder Magnus Stamnestro (knee) and left winger Yann-Erik de Lanlay (meniscus) are out for Thursday.
ZENIT PETERSBURG
Although they looked superior throughout the season, Zenit team has clearly entered the period of poor results having in mind that they are winless in last four rounds in the Russian Championship. The fact that they are 100% in the Europa League gives them enough assurance that they’ll qualify for the next stage but they still need to be extra careful. They’ve scored 11 goals in the competition so far and along with Sociedad they rank first in this segment in the entire group stage but the main reason for this is the fact that they have the outsider in the group, Vardar team. Top scorers are Emiliano Rigoni with five and Alexander Kokorin with four goals.
In the domestic league, they are coming off from a tough 0:3 home loss against Lokomotiv Moscow, their second straight in front of their own crowd and this has awakened certain alarms. The team is currently ranked at the spot No. 2 in the league table with an 8-5-2 record and 23-9 goal difference. Kokorin leads the team and the league in scoring with eight goals while Sebastian Driussi tops the team in assists with three.
Central midfielder Viktor Faizulin (knee) will be unavailable to coach Mancini on Thursday.
Rosenborg (Nor) vs. Zenit Petersburg (Rus) – Match Prediction
The Russian side certainly has more quality squad but that might not be the decisive aspect in this duel because Zenit team is obviously in some kind of a low-form period and Rosenborg might be in the position to take advantage of it. This is why I’ll go bold here and say that the home team will emerge victorious. The additional pick will be both teams score.
MY PICK: Rosenborg (+330)
Additional pick: Both teams score YES (-120)
Real Sociedad (Esp) vs. Vardar (Mac).
Three-Way: 1: Real Sociedad -625; X: +1200 Draw; 2: Vardar +3515
Spread -2.5: Real Sociedad -120; Vardar +122
Total +3.5: Over -125; Under +125
REAL SOCIEDAD
The Spanish side entered the Europa League competition as one of the favorites for the first two spots and so far they’re living up to the expectations. The only loss came against Zenit in Sankt Petersburg (1:3) while two other duels with Rosenborg at home (4:0) and Vardar on the road (6:0) went their way in an extraordinary fashion. The home win on Thursday could seal the deal when it comes to the next stage advancement, but under the condition that Rosenborg doesn’t defeat the Russians. Top scorers for the team in Europa League are Jose Willian and Diego Llorente with four and three goals while Xabi Prieto and Sergio Canales top the team in assisting segment with also four and three.
In Spanish Premier League, they currently rank at No. 9 spot with 14 points in 10 games and a 4-2-4 record. Their goal difference is 21-20 and they are coming off from a 2:1 road loss against Getafe. Mikel Oiarzabal tops the team in scoring in the domestic competition with five goals while Prieto and Alvaro Odriozola collected team-high three assists each.
Imanol Agirretxe (thigh) and Jon Guridi (knee) are out for the upcoming matchup while Kevin Rodrigues (hip) and Carlos Vela (knee) are listed as questionable. David Zurutza (calf) and Carlos Martinez (knee) are probable.
VARDAR
Vardar Skopje squad is a clear outsider in this group and that became clear after first three rounds when they recorded all three losses with a 1-14 goal difference. Midfielder Ribeiro is the author of the only goal Vardar scored in the competition so far while Dejan Blazevski recorded the only assist for the team. Still, appearance in the group stage of UEFA Europa League presents a great success for the squad that comes from one of the lowest ranked national competitions, Macedonian Premier League.
The team is also having some problems lately in the domestic competition as they are winless in last three duels. They are currently ranked at No. 3 spot with 20 points after 11 rounds and a 6-2-3 record. They are also coming off from a goalless road draw against Sileks last weekend. Brazilian native Alves and Tigran Barseghyan top the team in scoring with five and four goals so far in the national league.
Right-back Vladica Brdarovski (unknown) will not be on the roster on Thursday.
Real Sociedad (Esp) vs. Vardar (Mac) – Match Prediction
Anything else than the Real Sociedad’s win would present an incredible upset and home team win here is a no-brainer. However, the bookies have listed the home team as a -625 favorite which is why I am going with the total goals scored. Over 3.5 goals in total is a big possibility because guests posses a very leaky defense and Sociedad’s attackers should take advantage of it. This is probably the easiest pick of the entire round.
MY PICK: Over 3.5 goals (-125)
