The first round of the UEFA Europa League group stage kicks off this week with a packed schedule featuring non-stop action from all parts of the continent. In this preview, the highlight will be on Group G fixtures.
It is Romania versus the Czech Republic as FC Steaua București hosts FC Viktoria Plzeň in a rematch of Champions League qualifiers. Meanwhile, Israeli club Hapoel Beer Sheva FC would be welcoming Swiss side FC Lugano.
FCSB vs. FC VIKTORIA
3-Way: 1: FC Steaua București +127; X: +265 Draw; 2: FC Viktoria Plzeň +270
Spread -0.5: FC Steaua București +125; FC Viktoria Plzeň -123
Total +2.5: Over +112; Under -118
FCSB
Beaten 5:1 on aggregate by Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League play-off, Steaua București are competing in the UEFA Europa League group stage for a seventh time since the tournament assumed its current format in 2009-10, a record they share with Salzburg, twice reaching the knockout phase. They have not won in two European home fixtures this season (D1, L1), although they have yet to lose at home against Czech opponents (W1, D4), giving them an overall record of 3-5-2 against sides from that nation.
Second in Romania’s 2016-17 table, FCSB is the country’s most successful club with 26 league championships. They have only lost twice in all events this season, most recently against FC Viitorul at Liga I, giving them a form of LWLWD. They have 18 points, which they share with FC Astra Giurgiu, and Clubul Sportiv U Craiova, after nine matches in the Romanian league, placing them fourth and four points behind CFR 1907 Cluj.
Nicolae Dică returned to the Roș-albaștrii as coach in May 2017, having served the club as a player in two previous spells, landing two titles. The attacking midfielder also had one with CFR Cluj. He played in Italy, Greece, and Turkey as well.
Florin Niță is the club’s number one keeper, having logged 12 appearances in all competitions this season. This would be his seventh UEL match and 15th overall in European club tournaments. Harlem Gnohéré has had four league goals and Dennis Man with three. Constantin Budescu has three goals combined in Liga 1 and European fixtures. Filipe Teixeira had both of his goals against Viktoria. Florin Tănase has scored twice this season. Forward Denis Alibec has five European club goals in his career. Defenders Mihai Bălașa and Júnior Morais have also scored in this term as well. Others who have faced Plzeň earlier include Mihai Pintilii, Ionuț Larie, William Amorim, Marko Momčilović, and Gabriel Enache.
FC VIKTORIA
Runners-up in last term’s Czech First League, Viktoria Plzeň are contesting the UEFA Europa League group stage for a third straight season. They reached the last 16 in consecutive stagings in 2012-14. After losing to FCSB in the UCL qualifiers, they got a new lease on life after beating AEK Larnaca in the Uefa Europa League play-off with a 3:1 aggregate.
Plzeň have gone ten matches without a European away victory, but they drew five of their last seven continental fixtures on the road. They are yet to win in six games against Romanian opponents (D3, L3).
FC Viktoria has won four of the last seven Czech titles, starting with their breakthrough triumph in 2010-11. They are still impeccable this season with 18 points in six matches, giving them a form of WWDWW in all competitions.
After stints as the Czech Republic and Anji coach, Pavel Vrba rejoined Pilsen this year, having earlier steered them to two championships. Once a Baník Ostrava player and coach, he lifted the 2006-07 Slovak title as Žilina boss.
Marek Bakoš has three goals in all events this term and 18 in European club competition all-time. Daniel Kolář, who has netted 16 goals in Europe, has two domestic goals this season. Patrik Hrošovský has found the back of the net twice in the Czech league. Others who have scored at this point of the year include defenders Lukáš Hejda, David Limberský, and Tomáš Hájek; as well as midfielders Václav Pilař, Tomáš Hořava, Jan Kopic, and Milan Petržela. Although Matúš Kozáčik and Aleš Hruška have shared starting duties domestically, it is Petr Bolek being called upon in continental skirmishes. Martin Zeman, Radim Řezník, Milan Havel, and Jakub Řezníček have played against București before.
FW Michael Krmenčík scored in both legs against FC Steaua, but was sent off late in the return match and is suspended for this faceoff. He also has three league goals to his name.
FCSB vs. FC VIKTORIA – Match Prediction
The teams first met in this season’s UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, FCSB making up for a 2:2 home draw with a 4:1 success in Pilsen. Those who scored goals include Bălașa and Tănase for FC Steaua București; as well as Kopic for the Viktoria.
Big fish in their own respective ponds go up against each other. We already know fireworks erupt when these two meet. As for the match, it can go either way. A draw is a possibility but I would go with the Over in this one.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (+112)
HAPOEL BEER-SHEVA FC vs. FC LUGANO
3-Way: 1: Hapoel Beer Sheva FC -154; X: +337 Draw; 2: FC Lugano +650
Spread -1: Hapoel Beer Sheva FC +100; FC Lugano -103
Total +2.5: Over +110; Under -109
HAPOEL BEER-SHEVA FC
Hapoel Beer Sheva competes at the UEFA Europa League for the fourth straight edition, reaching the second qualifying round twice and playing in the round of 32 most recently. In their only previous tie against a Swiss team, they were eliminated by Thun in the 2015-16 Europa League second qualifying round, drawing 1:1 at home then losing 1:2 in Switzerland.
Beer-Sheva has won all three of their European home games this season all in UEFA Champions League qualifying, scoring two goals in each (2:1, 2:0, 2:1). They equaled their biggest home win in this level with a 2:0 conquest of Ludogorets on July 26 in the first leg of the UCL third qualifying round. They have then beaten on away goals by Maribor in the Champions League play-off.
Winning the Israeli Premier League title, their fourth overall, last time around, the Camels are starting slow, gaining only four points in three fixtures, placing them in the middle of the table along with Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv FC and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona FC.
Appointed HBS coach in 2015, Barak Bakhar promptly steered the club to their first title in 40 years and has now gone two straight. A defender, he spent his playing heyday at Hapoel Kiryat Shmona, whom he later coached.
Anthony Nwakaeme scored four goals during the UCL qualifiers but still has none in the Israeli league. Elyaniv Barda, who has ten goals in Europe, has not been able to slot the ball so far. Guy Haimov has had eight apps this season. Miguel Vítor, who has not played domestically this term, has had a UEFA-level goal already. If he gets fielded in, this will be his 25th UEL match and 48th in Europe.
FC LUGANO
Third in Switzerland the last term, Lugano has been absent from UEFA competition since 2002-03 and have yet to feature in a group stage. In nine European away matches to date, they have earned just one win (D2, L6) and scored only two goals. However, that lone victory came at Internazionale Milano in a 1:0 second-leg success in the 1995-96 UEFA Cup first round.
Prior to this date, the Bianconeri’s schedule has been all within the country with seven league fixtures and one cup match, their form being LWDLW. They are currently sixth on the table with eight points, the same with FC Sion and Grasshopper Club Zürich.
Alexander Gerndt, Carlinhos Junior, and Jonathan Sabbatini lead their club with two goals. Others who have scored include Younes Bnou-Marzouk, Domen Črnigoj, Davide Mariani, and Steve Rouiller. On-loan midfielder Bálint Vécsei played alongside Hapoel defender Mihály Korhut in his only two Hungary appearances so far, friendlies against Albania (1:0) and Kazakhstan (3:0) back in June 2014.
Pierluigi Tami took charge of the club for a second time in June 2017, the Italian-born defender having spent his entire professional career in Switzerland. Notably, he assisted Ottmar Hitzfeld during the latter’s spell as national coach.
HAPOEL BEER-SHEVA FC vs. FC LUGANO – Match Prediction
This is the sides’ first meeting and the club located in the Italian-speaking Ticino Canton’s first encounter with Israeli opposition. No one seems to stand out among all clubs in this Europa League group G, making the race for the knockout round wide open. Go with the draw.
MY PICK: Draw (+337)
