The UEFA Europa League group phase continues this Thursday, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Group A matches. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and enter the action at Get More Sports.
Maccabi Tel Aviv (Isr) vs. Astana (Kaz)
Three-Way: Maccabi Tel Aviv +131; X: +254 Draw; 2: Astana +275 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Maccabi Tel Aviv +125; Astana -128
Total +2.5: Over +120; Under -125
MACCABI TEL AVIV
The Israeli vice-champions responded well after two-game losing streak with a pair of victories over Yehuda and Hapoel Akko, and they are currently in the 3rd position in the Ligatha’Al with six points behind Hapoel Haifa. Maccabi is in a search for the first win in the Europa League as they collected just a point from the first three matches, scoring only one goal in the process, and three points here would keep their dreams alive.
Maccabi Tel Aviv played 26 games so far in the 2017/18, recording 16 victories, six draws, and four losses, with a goal difference of 42:22, which is almost 2.50 goals per contest on average. They have three wins in a row at home, while their only Europa League match at Netanya Stadium against Villarreal ended 0-0.
The Icelandic forward Vidar Örn Kjartansson is the team’s top scorer with eight goals to his name, while the right-winger Omer Atzili with seven. Atzili and Ofir Davidzada are the most creative individuals with four assists apiece, so it is clear that Atzili has the ability to cause problems for Astana’s defense and he must be closed down. Jordi Cruyff will be without the right-back Eli Dasa (thigh), Jose Rodriguez (meniscus), Eyal Golasa (knee), Aaron Schoenfeld (muscle), and Barak Itzhaki (influenza).
ASTANA
The Kazakhstani champions are a point ahead of Kairat Almaty in the domestic Premier League, but Kairat defeated them 2-0 last weekend, and the situation at the top is quite dramatic as Astana has only one point more. The Blue and Yellows are somehow in a better position in the Europa League than Maccabi as they collected four points and already beat them 4-0 in the previous meeting two weeks ago.
Astana played 42 games in this season, recording 28 wins, six draws, and eight losses, with a goal difference of 88:36, which is 2.95 goals per contest on average. The Blue and Yellows suffered four defeats in the last ten away matches, but they scored a goal in the previous five, and I believe they can find the net on this one as well.
The Congolese forward Junior Kabananga is the team’s leading scorer with 19 goals at the moment, while the right-wing Patrick Twumasi is following him on a goal-scoring chart with 14 goals to his name. Other contributors to the attack are Srdjan Grahovac with eight, SerikzhanMuzhikov with six, and Roman Murtazayev with six goals. The left-back Dmitri Shomko is the best-assist maker with 11 dishes, while Twumasi and Muzhikov added nine assists apiece. Stanimir Stoilov is delighted to have nearly entire squad healthy and available for this tilt, only the Hungarian midfielder LászlóKleinheisler is sidelined with a knee injury and will not feature here.
Maccabi Tel Aviv (Isr) vs. Astana (Kaz) – Match Prediction
The hosts must attack from the very start and try to get an early goal as they need a victory to stay in the Europa League contention, and that will leave space for the visitors to hit them on counters, so I expect to see goals on this one.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-105)
Slavia Prague (Cze) vs. Villarreal (Spa)
Three-Way: Slavia Prague +229; X: +249 Draw; 2: Villarreal +145
Spread 0: Slavia Prague +134; Villarreal -137
Total +2.5: Over +112; Under -118
SLAVIA PRAGUE
The Czech champions recorded a 3-0 win at Slovacko, but are already 11 points behind Plzen in the 1. Liga. However, Slavia is at the top of the group A of the Europa League with five points, the same amount as Villarreal, and the Red and Whites have a solid opportunity to qualify for the knockout stage. They fought bravely in Spain and even had a 2-0 lead, but the Yellow Submarine responded with a couple of goals, so the match finished 2-2, which is still a fantastic result for the Czechs.
Slavia Prague played 21 games so far in this campaign, recording 11 victories, seven draws, and three losses, with a goal difference of 28:12, which is 1.90 goals per contest on average. When it comes to matches at Eden Arena, Slavia has only one defeat, and it was in the most recent encounter with Liberec, who beat them 2-1. The Red and Whites scored at least a goal in all but one home games, and the Spaniards will have a lot to do to keep their net intact.
The striker Tomas Necid is the team’s top scorer with eight goals in 11 appearances, while Milan Skoda with seven, and Mick van Buren with four are behind Necid on a goal-scoring chart. Van Buren is also the most creative individual at Eden Arena with four assists to his name, while Josef Husbauer and Miroslav Stoch added three dishes each. Jaroslav Šilhavý cannot count on the forward Muris Mesanovic who is out with a knee issue, while Dusan Svento (knee) and Simon Deli (knock) are close to returning to the pitch and are listed as doubtful for this duel.
VILLARREAL
The Yellow Submarine are without a win in the last two matches, but they managed to escape a loss in Madrid against Atletico thanks to Carlos Bacca’s equalizer in the 81st minute. Villarreal is currently in the 6th position in La Liga, and they are doing well in the Europa League with five points from the opening three games. A potential victory here would probably be enough for Villarreal to secure the knockout phase, but it’s going to be tricky to get three points in Prague.
Villarreal played 14 games in the 2017/18 so far, recording six wins, four draws, and four losses, with a goal difference of 21:15, which is a bit over 2.50 goals per contest on average. The Yellow Submarine have just two away victories in eight matches, and they are way better at home, so Slavia does have a decent chance to get a positive result here.
The Congolese striker Cedric Bakambu is the team’s leading scorer with nine goals in 12 appearances, while Carlos Bacca contributed with four goals thus far. The right-winger Samu Castillejo is the best assist-maker with four dishes at the moment, while Pablo Fornals has three assists to his name. Javier Calleja is still without the goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo (cruciate ligament rupture) and the backup keeper Andres Fernandez, so Mariano Barbosa will take place between the sticks once again. Bruno Soriano (leg), Ruben Semedo (muscle), Jaume Costa (adductor), and Leonardo Suarez (cruciate ligament rupture) are also sidelined and will not feature on Thursday.
Slavia Prague (Cze) vs. Villarreal (Spa) – Match Prediction
The derby of this group could produce goals on both ends if they repeat the performance from two weeks ago, and the team who secure a victory here will likely continue to compete in the Europa League so that I will go with goals on this one.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-115)
