With many of the teams that are going to be a part of the second round of the Europa League qualifiers already decided, remaining teams will be putting their hundred percent in the second leg of the tie in a bid to put their names in the above list of teams.
Polish team Jagiellonia will welcome Georgian club Dinamo Batumi, while ND Gorica will be visited by Armenia based Shirak Gyumri, with both the home teams hoping to build on their first leg performance. At the same time, Levski from Bulgaria will go to Sutjeska; while Hungarian club Vasas will welcome Beitur Jerusalem, where all the teams will fight it out to qualify to the next round.
JAGIELLONIA (POL) vs. DINAMO BATUMI (GEO)
Three-Way: 1: JAGIELLONIA -400; X: +552 Draw; 2: DINAMO BATUMI +1648
Spread -1.5: JAGIELLONIA -103; DINAMO BATUMI -108
Total +2.5: Over -120; Under +104
JAGIELLONIA
The Polish club has been having a mixed run of from currently. Of their last six matches, they have lost only one match, but drawn three and won two. Their last match was a 1:0 win against Dinamo Batumi, which was preceded by an exciting 2:2 draw in the league against another Europa League qualifier Lech Poznan.
During the current run, they have scored 6 goals in six matches, while conceding 7 in the same number of matches. This indicates that the team is more habitual of edging out points. To help with their season, they have signed Portuguese left back Guilherme on a free transfer.
DINAMO BATUMI
Batumi has been in very poor form of late. They have won just one match in all of their last six matches, while losing four and winning just one. Their last match was the 1:0 defeat against Jagiellonia in the first leg of the qualifiers, before which they drew at home in the league against Kolkheti.
They have been woeful at both ends of the pitch. During the last 6 matches, they only scored four goals, while at the same time they conceded nine goals. Such defensive weakness is one of the major reasons for their current poor run of form.
JAGIELLONIA (POL) vs. DINAMO BATUMI (GEO) – MATCH PREDICTION:
If we have a look at the form record of both the clubs in the recent matches, we can come to the conclusion that none of the teams have been in good form. However, judging by the performance in the first leg, Jagiellona looks like the team that will win this match. This could be another low scoring contest and I think that the under is the safer bet here.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (+104)
ND GORICA (SLO) vs. SHIRAK GYUMRI (ARM)
Three-Way: 1: ND Gorica -154; X: +299 Draw; 2: Shirak Gyumri +500
Spread -1: ND Gorica +117; Shirak Gyumri -130
Total +3: Over +123; Under -133
ND GORICA (SLO)
The Slovenian team was enjoying some decent form lately. They are currently on an 14 match unbeaten run. Over the last six matches, they have won four matches, and lost two. Both of their last two matches were victories; a 0:1 win against Koper in the league followed by 2:0 Europa League first leg win against Shirak Gyumri.
During this period, they have scored a total of 9 goals, while conceding 4 goals. Even though those numbers aren’t great, they make a steady reading. They have signed young players in Ziga Lipuscek and Matija Kompara in a hope to bring enthusiasm in the side.
SHIRAK GYUMRI
Shirak Gyumri are currently experiencing a dip in form, as they are winless in their last three matches, with two defeates and one draw, after winning the three matches before them. Their last match was the 2:0 defeat at home against Gorica in the first leg of the Europa League qualifiers, before which they only managed to draw in the league against Gandzasar.
During these six matches, Shirak has conceded seven times, while scoring eight times. Such mediocre numbers are the reason behind the inconsistent string of results. They have also signed Ghanaian Center Back Edward Kpodo in an effort to shore up the defense.
ND GORICA (SLO) vs. SHIRAK GYUMRI (ARM) – MATCH PREDICTION:
It was always tough for Shirak Gyumri to recover from a 2 goals deficit, and now their chances of progressing seems even bleaker as it is an away match for them. Above that, considering the current form of both the teams, this match seems to have a Gorica win written all over it. I will take the AH on Gorica.
MY PICK: ND GORICA AH -1 (+117)
SUTJESKA (MNE) vs. LEVSKI (BUL)
Three – Way: 1: SUTJESKA +370; X: +292 Draw; 2: LEVSKI -112
Spread +0.5: SUTJESKA +110; LEVSKI -123
Total +2.5: Over +104; Under -104
SUTJESKA (MNE)
The club from Montenegro has been in a topsy-turvy form in recent times. Their last match was a 3:1 away loss against Levski in the Europa League, before which they defeated Grbalj 1:0 in the league. Their record over last 6 matches is 3-1-2.
During the current run of form over the last six games, they have scored 7 goals while conceding five, numbers which do not strike much fear into the hearts of the opponents. They have signed Centre Back Nemanja Nedic to bolster their squad for the season.
LEVSKI (BUL)
Even though they are unbeaten in the last three matches, we only need to look at Levski’s last six fixtures to realize that they haven’t been as consistent as they would want to be. Over the last six fixtures, their record has been 3-1-2. Before their first leg victory, they defeated Vereya for the Europa League playoff spot on penalties.
In their last six matches, they have scored a decent eight goals, while at the same time, conceding ten. It is clear that the defensive side of the team is pretty weak, something that they would want to improve in order to keep their chances of qualification safe.
SUTJESKA (MNE) vs. LEVSKI (BUL) – MATCH PREDICTION:
Both the teams have been in an inconsistent form. However, currently, Levski has been playing a lot better and getting the results. Considering the performances in the first match, it is safe to say that Levski is better placed team to advance into the next round of the Europa League qualifications. Therefore, my prediction will be an away win for Levski.
MY PICK: LEVSKI (-135)
VASAS (HUN) vs. BEITAR JERUSALEM (ISR)
Three-Way: 1: VASAS +138; X: +266 Draw; 2: BEITAR JERUSALEM +235
Spread -0.5: VASAS +135; BEITAR JERUSALEM -145
Total +2.5: Over -125; Under +112
VASAS (HUN)
The Hungarian club has not been playing well in their last few matches. They have been winless in the last 4 matches, and their current record is 2-1-3. They were at the losing end of the first leg’s goalfest against Beitar Jerusalem when they were defeated 4:3 in the first leg of the Europa League qualifications. Before that match, they drew with Haladas in the Hungarian league where the score was 2:2.
In these last six matches, Vasas have scored 9 goals, while conceding a massive 12 goals. The manager will need to sort the defense if he hopes to have any chance of qualifying to the next round. Keeping this in mind, he has signed Czech centre back Vit Benes on a free transfer.
BEITAR JERUSALEM (ISR)
Jerusalem has been playing some really good football for some time now, which is shown by the fact that they are currently on a six match unbeaten run. They have won five matches, and drawn only one in this period. Before the 4:3 triumph in the first leg of the Europa League, they have won away against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the domestic league by 2:0.
During this unbeaten run, they have smashed home an incredible 16 goals, while also conceding just 6 goals. It is clear that they rely on the front men to bail them out of matches. To add to their goals, they have signed former Chelsea and Liverpool player Yousi Benayoun on a free transfer, along with Reims Centre Back Antoine Conte, a name that confuses many Chelsea fans due to their manager, Antonio Conte.
VASAS (HUN) vs. BEITAR JERUSALEM (ISR) – MATCH PREDICTION:
Between both the teams, it is clear that Beitar Jerusalem are the one in much better form. They have got in form players, and have made some experienced and talented signings. Therefore, a home win looks like a very bleak possibility. So, my bet will be on Beitar Jerusalem taking home the three points, with both the teams scoring.
MY PICK: BEITAR JERUSALEM AH -0.5 (-145)
Additional Pick: Both teams to score YES (-137)
