As the second leg of the Europa League qualifiers first round takes place on the Thursday, Ballymena and Coleraine, both from Northern Ireland, will be welcoming Norwegian teams Odd and Haugesund respectively, while Cork City will welcome Estonian team Lavadia into Ireland and Osijek will welcome UE Santa Coloma from Andorra. All the teams will be looking to correct their mistakes from the first leg and hopefully, book their places in the second round of the qualifiers.
BALLYMENA (NIR) vs. ODD (NOR)
Three – Way: 1: BALLYMENA +622; X: +379 Draw; 2: ODD -208
Spread +1: BALLYMENA +112; ODD -128
Total +3: Over +102; Under -111
BALLYMENA (NIR)
The Europa League first leg matchup was a very difficult one for the Northern Ireland based club. They struggled to get the tempo going, and didn’t muster enough shots on goals or create chances. Such a poor performance would see no other conclusion as they were defeated 3:0 away against Odd.
New signing Michael Gault made his debut in the starting lineup, but other three signings defender Emmet Friars, and midfielders Andrew Burns and Steven McCullough will be hopeful of a start this Thursday.
As they finished last season with 66 goals scored in the league, the fans will be hoping for a at least a spirited performance in front of goal against their visitors.
ODD (NOR)
Odd showed what a perfect start meant when they scored in the very first minute from kickoff against then visitors Ballymena, which the cameraman didn’t even capture. They went on to put the ball into the net two more times, ending the game as a 3:0 win at home.
They are currently 7th in the domestic league, but they still haven’t made any new signings this season. One can expect new signings with the transfer window currently open.
They scored 44 goals last season in the league, and it seems they will carry on their goal scoring form into the Europa League qualifiers too.
BALLYMENA (NIR) vs. ODD (NOR) – MATCH PREDICTION:
Even though it is a home match for Ballymena, it doesn’t really look like they are going to win this match. Odd showcased a wonderful performance in the first leg, and it seems they will repeat it here. Hence, my prediction will be an away AH +1 win for the Norwegian team.
MY PICK: ODD AH +1 (-128)
COLERAINE (NIR) vs. HAUGESUND (NOR)
Three – Way: 1: Coleraine +1150; X: +620 Draw; 2: Haugesund -400
Spread +1.5: Coleraine +125; Haugesund -139
Total +3.5: Over +123; Under -137
COLERAINE
The Europa League first leg was not a good experience at all for this team from Northern Ireland. They were humbled 7:0 by Haugeslund last Thursday. Even with the manager giving starts to Aaron Traynor, Stephen O’Donnell and Josh Carson, Coleraine succumbed to a massive defeat.
They haven’t been in a good run of form, as their record over the last 6 matches reads 1-2-3. Their last win was a 2:0 home victory in the league, way back in April. In their last six matches, they have scored 7 goals, while conceding 17, which shows how poor they have been defensively.
HAUGESUND
Utter domination was perhaps the word to describe the first leg between these two teams, as Haugesund allowed only few scoring chances to their opponents in a match that was decided fairly easily.
This Norwegian team has been in a decent run of form, as they have been unbeaten for their last 5 games, with 3 wins and two draws. In this period, they have managed to score 10 goals, while conceding only 1, showing how efficiently they have grabbed the points.
COLERAINE (NIR) vs. HAUGESUND (NOR) – MATCH PREDICTION:
Judging by the result of the last leg, this match is more of a dead rubber to both the teams, as the result is virtually sealed for Haugesung to qualify to the next round of Europa League. However, this being a home match for Coleraine, they would want to put up a show at least for their fans and would like to go down fighting. Keeping all this factors in mind, it is still safe to say that Haugesung will qualify to the next round. However, my pick will be both teams to score.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (+110)
CORK CITY (IRL) vs. LEVADIA (EST)
Three – Way: 1: Cork City -227; X: +387 Draw; 2: Levadia +774
Spread -1.5: Cork City +127; Levadia -130
Total +3: Over +100; Under -109
CORK CITY (IRL)
The Irish club has been in absolutely wonderful form. They have won all of their last 6 matches, including the first leg of the Europa League qualifiers, which they won 2:0. Before the first leg, they won a league match against Derry City by 2:1
During this run, they have scored an impressive 17 goals while conceding only 4 goals. They will hope to carry on their efficient style of play and book their places in the second round.
LEVADIA (EST)
It has been a decent run of form for the Estonian side. Of their last six games, they have won 3, drawn 2, and lost 1. Their last league result was a 3:0 home win against Nomme United, which was followed by a loss in the first leg of the Europa League qualifiers against Cork City by 0:2.
In their last six games, they have scored 10 goals, while conceding five goals. These numbers do not seem very impressive, but it is surely enough to get job done and get points.
CORK CITY (IRL) vs. LEVADIA (EST) – MATCH PREDICTION:
If the last leg of this tie has to be considered, it’s clear that Cork City played better football than Levadia in Estonia. And now moreover, as this is going to be an away match for Levadia, it is really difficult to see a victory for the Estonian side in this match. Expecting a tough battle on both sides of the pitch, I will take the under 3 goals offered (-109)
MY PICK: Under 3 goals (-109)
OSIJEK (CRO) vs. UE SANTA COLOMA (AND)
Three – Way: 1: Osijek -1667; X: +1800 Draw; 2: UE Santa +5130
Spread -3: Osijek +100; UE Santa Coloma +102
Total +3.5: Over -133; Under +138
OSIJEK (CRO)
The last few matches have yielded mixed results for Osijek. Of their last 6 matches, three have been victories, one draw, and two victories. Their last two matches were both wins, though. A 1:0 win against Split in the league was followed by a 2:0 win against Santa Coloma in the first leg of the Europa League qualifiers.
In the same duration of six matches, they have scored 8 goals, while conceding 7. These stats show that utter domination in terms of score-line is not something Osijek often manage to do.
The manager will be hoping that new signings Eros Grezda and Petar Bockaj, will continue to build on their good debuts in the first leg and help the team cross the finish line.
UE SANTA COLOMA
Santa Coloma has been performing poor regularly when it comes to European Qualifiers. They have lost all fifteen of their last fifteen European qualifiers. Their last match was a 2:0 defeat against Osijek, before which they were thrashed 4:1 in an away defeat against NK Lokomotiva last year.
In a bid to break their Europa League qualifiers voodoo, Santa Coloma have made two new signings in Spaniards Pedro Munoz and Alberto Molina. The manager is hoping that these new signings inspire the team towards a second leg comeback, which looks highly impossible.
OSIJEK (CRO) vs. UE SANTA COLOMA (AND) – MATCH PREDICTION:
The home team is a clear favorite in this matchup, but I would not give up on the visitors just that easily. Osijek is a team with tradition and a team that has improved significantly comparing to the last couple of seasons. With all being said, I expect many goals to be scored, which is why I am taking the over 3.5.
MY PICK: Over 3.5 goals (-133)
