In this preview, we’ll check out two matches that are the part of week 1 of the UEFA Europa League group stage that will take place during this midweek.
The group stage of the UEFA Europa League has finally arrived and we have prepared for you an in-depth analysis of the group A clashes that will take place on Thursday in Prague and Villarreal between home teams and visitors from Israel and Kazakhstan. Participating at this level of competition presents a great honor for the teams and their fans, and is also very lucrative having in mind that every squad have at least six games to play before eventual advance or elimination.
Soccer-filled midweek is in front of us and with all these matches in the menu the expectations about finding some quality picks are high and that’s our imperative. Let’s take a closer look.
Slavia Prague (Cze) vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv (Isr)
Three-Way: 1: Slavia Prague +119; X: +250 Draw; Macabi Tel Aviv +312
Spread -0.5: Slavia Prague +112; Maccabi Tel Aviv -116
Total +2: -132; Under +118
SLAVIA PRAGUE
After elimination in the UEFA Champions League play-off round by Cyprian side APOEL, the Czech team got draw in the Group A of UEFA Europa League where they will lock horns with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Villarreal and FC Astana in the fight for first two spots in the group that lead to the knockout stage. They were the favorites in the matchup against the team from Nicosia but somehow they couldn’t manage to score a goal, losing the duel 2:0 in aggregate.
In Czech national championship, they currently rank second with 12 points in six matches (3-3-0 record) and are coming off from a 1:1 road draw against Sigma Olomouc that occurred last Saturday.
Manager Jaroslav Silhavy will not have center-back Simon Deli (ankle) and left-back Dusan Svento (knee) at his disposal due to injuries. Both of them are expected to be out until at least September 20th.
MACCABI TEL AVIV
One of the few squads that entered the competition in the first qualifying round and ended up in the group stage is Maccabi Tel Aviv team. First, they eliminated Albanian representative Tirana (5:0 in aggregate) and in the second Europa League qualifying round the obstacle’s name was KR team from Iceland (5:1 in aggregate). Then it was the turn for a bit stronger opponent, Greek side Panionios who fell down with no bullets shot (2:0 in aggregate) and in a playoff stage, they managed to eliminate Austrian side Rheindorf Altach (3:2 in aggregate) thus earning a group stage berth.
In Israeli National Championship (Ligat HaAl) the team currently ranks fourth after three rounds with six total points (2-0-1 record). After the season opening home defeat by Beitar Jerusalem (0:3), they managed to bounce back and they are currently riding a two-game winning streak.
Dutch manager Jordi Cruijff will not have central midfielder Eyal Golasa (knee) and right-back Eli Dasa (thigh) at his disposal for Thursday. It’s unknown how long will these two be absent from the pitch.
Slavia Prague (Cze) vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv (Isr) – Match Prediction
This is a very interesting and a hard game to predict in term of possible outcomes. One thing is certain and that is the fact that both of these teams have already shown some glaring weaknesses very early in the season.
The Slavia team is obviously not comfortable with the play style that is similar to the teams from the Middle East as they were eliminated by a Cyprian Champion in the Champions League.
On the other side, Maccabi got humiliated at home in the week 1 of the national championship by a mediocre Beitar Jerusalem team.
In my opinion, both teams to score has the most sense here and that’s where my money will go.
MY PICK: Both teams score (+110)
Villarreal (Esp) vs. FC Astana (Kaz).
Three-Way: 1: Villarreal -312; X: +560 Draw; FC Astana +1400
Spread -1.5: Villarreal -123; FC Astana +121
Total +3: Over +118; Under -128
VILLARREAL
Villarreal team finished the last season ranked fifth in Spanish Primera with 67 points in 38 matches (19-10-9 record) thus earning the right to appear directly in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League competition. They are certainly the No. 1 favorite in Group A to finish it ranked at one of the first two spots that guarantee the “spring in Europe” because they come from a far stronger competition that features far greater opponents than any other national championship.
After three rounds of play in 2017/18 season of Spanish Primera, the Villarreal team ranks 13th with only three points (1-0-3 record) and they can’t say that they had a successful start of the season. After two initial defeats, they are coming off from a 3:1 home win against Real Betis on Sunday.
Andres Fernandez (cruciate ligament) and Bruno Soriano (leg) are out for the upcoming matchup while Sergio Asenjo (cruciate ligament), Denis Cheryshev (muscle), Daniel Bonera (muscle), Roberto Soriano (knee), Mario Gaspar (hamstring) and Adrian Martin (knee) are listed as questionable.
FC ASTANA
Similarly like Slavia Prague, FC Astana was eliminated in the playoff round of the UEFA Champions League competition by Scottish champion Celtic (4:8 in aggregate) thus earning the Europa League group stage berth. In the group A company, they can be considered as the underdogs.
In the national championship, they are currently ranked first with 60 points after round 24 (19-3-2 record) and they are the No. 1 candidate for defending the national championship title. They are currently riding a nine-game winning streak and they are coming off from a 7:0 home demolition of Atyrau squad.
Attacking midfielder Laszlo Kleinheisler will be unavailable for Thursday match with some knee afflictions while right-back Igor Shitov and left-back Dmitri Shomko are ineligible to appear because of the red card suspensions.
VILLARREAL vs. FC ASTANA– Match Prediction
The Spanish team is a clear favorite in this one but there is a long tradition of teams from Eastern Europe surprising the so called “favorites” from top European national competitions so thread carefully.
As noted before, the Spanish team is expected to record a clear victory, but the odds are not very attractive on the simple win. Therefore, my first guess here is under 3 goals in total.
MY PICK: Total: Under 3 goals (-128)
