Group B of this UEFA Europa League season is one of the most interesting because all four squads still have the chance of advancing to the next stage. As a matter of fact, the top-ranked Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) has already secured the eight-finals while other three teams, Partizan (Serbia), Young Boys (Switzerland) and Skenderbeu Korce (Albania) will determine the second traveler to the eighth-finals. The Serbian side has the pole position at the moment but all three teams are ranked inside a three-point difference.
Thursday is the day for taking some money from your bookie so be aware, some seriously bold picks wait under.
Partizan (Ser) vs. Young Boys (Swi)
Three-Way: 1: Partizan +190; X: +249 Draw; 2: Young Boys +185 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Partizan +106; Young Boys -105
Total +2.5: Over +112; Under -116
PARTIZAN
The Serbian side surprised everyone when they managed to qualify for the Europa League group stage of the competition but that demolition of Videoton on the road in the play-off round (4:0 win) should’ve put everyone on notice because the squad currently has the upper hand for the No. 2 spot in this group and they are very close of securing the eight-finals. They have five points earned so far and a 1-2-1 record with a win over Skenderbeu (2:0) at home and a loss by Dynamo Kyiv also in front of their own crowd (2:3). The latter loss was especially painful because it came after a 2:0 lead in the first half but squad managed to bounce back and beat the Albanians in the next round.
In Serbian Super League team ranks second with four points less than their eternal rival, FC Red Star. They’ve earned 42 points after 17 rounds and they are 13-3-1 with 37-13 goal difference. 59% of their matchups had over 2.5 goals in total and they‘re currently riding a six-game winning streak. Team’s top scorer in Europe is Leandre Tawamba with two goals while Marko Jankovic, Ognjen Ozegovic, and Zoran Tosic have one each.
Zoran Tosic has a yellow card suspension while Nebojsa Kosovic (knee) is ruled out for Thursday.
YOUNG BOYS
The Swiss representative also has only one loss but they are still winless after four rounds with three draws. They have three points earned and 4-5 goal difference meaning that the next matchup in Belgrade will be crucial for them. If they lose, they are out and I’m sure that the players and the coaching staff have the plan on how to approach this duel. A potential draw could be off hand because they’ll host the Albanian side in the final round.
Team leads the Swiss Super League caravan with 33 points and a 10-3-2 record (seven points more than the nearest rival). They are undefeated in last four duels and they are coming off from a very important 2:1 home win over four-ranked FC Zurich. Young Boys’ goal difference is 35-13 and 67% of their overall duels had over 2.5 goals in total. Roger Assale is the leading scorer in Europa League while Christian Aebischer added one.
Taulant Seferi (groin), Leonardo Bertone (ankle), Steve von Bergen (back) and Marco Wolfli (Illness) are out for Thursday.
Partizan (Ser) vs. Young Boys (Swi) – Match Prediction
This will be a very important match for both teams. Partizan will have to seek the win because they travel to Ukraine in the last round and I’m not sure that they can search for the points there while Young Boys could be satisfied with a draw. My first guess here is at least one goals scored by both teams while additional pick goes in the direction of splitting points.
MY PICK: Both teams score YES (-115)
Additional pick: Draw (+249)
Skenderbeu (Alb) vs. Dynamo Kyiv (Ukr).
Three-Way: 1: Skenderbeu +450; X: +313 Draw; 2: Dynamo Kyiv -125 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread +0.5: Skenderbeu +131; Dynamo Kyiv -137
Total +2.5: Over -106; Under +106
SKENDERBEU
The Albanians have the least chance of advancing to the next Europa League round but they are still in the game. Having in mind that Dynamo already secured the next stage, Skenderbeu might have a chance here although the difference in quality can’t be compared. Still, a surprise win over the Ukranian side would put them in a very good spot especially if the matchup in Belgrade ends with no winner. The team managed to defeat strong opponents in the qualifying rounds and they could be poised to do it again.
In the domestic competition, the team ranks at the top of the table with 27 points (seven more than the next opponent) and 8-3-0 record. They are coming off from a 1:1 road draw against second-ranked Flamurtari. Sabien Lilaj is the team’s leading scorer in the Albanian league with five goals but he still didn’t manage to score one in Europa League. Gjergji Muzaka and Ali Sowe are the authors of two goals on the European scene.
Right back Kristi Vangjeli is in the risk of a suspension having in mind that he has two yellow cards already.
DYNAMO KYIV
The Ukranian squad has the UEFA Champions League caliber team but they didn’t manage to qualify for this competition. Still, Europa League has a certain level of sophistication and I’m sure that the fans are enjoying the accomplishments in this competition, especially after securing the eight-finals after only four rounds. There could be some drowsiness having in mind that they’ll be playing only for the honor on Thursday but I’m sure that the players will give a 100%.
In Ukranian Premier league, they rank at the No. 2 spot behind their biggest rival Shakhtar Donetsk with 32 points after 16 rounds. They are 9-5-2 and they are coming off from an important 2:0 road win over tenth-ranked Zirka squad. Team’s goal difference is 30-14 and 62% of their overall duels had over 2.5 goals in total. Top scorer for the team in the Europa League is Junior Moraes with three goals while Vitaliy Buyalskiy and Dieumerci Mbokani have two each.
Sergiy Sydorchuk (ligament injury), Mykyta Burda (groin), Artem Kravets (minor wound) and Vitaly Buyalsky (yellow card suspension) are all out for Thursday.
Skenderbeu (Alb) vs. Dynamo Kyiv (Ukr) – Match Prediction
As aforementioned, the Albanian side actually has a chance here because Dynamo could definitely rest some of their players having in mind that they’ve already secured the next round and the fact that they’re trying to catch Shakhtar team in the domestic competition. This is why I’ll go bold here and say that they’ll get a point or even get a win. Also, there should be more than 2.5 goals in total.
MY PICK: Skenderbeu DC 1X (+129)
Additional pick: Over 2.5 goals (-106)
