Today we take a look a Europa League group where just three points separate the top side from the bottom, group J. The first match in group J will see the bottom two sides, Athletic Bilbao and Hertha Berlin, battle it out with each team knowing that a loss could mean an early exit out of the competition. The second fixture will be a top of the table clash between Ostersund and Zorya Luhansk, where a win for either side could see either side confirm qualification.
Athletic Bilbao (Aut) vs. Hertha Berlin (Ger)
Three-Way: 1: Athletic Bilbao -127; X: +290 Draw; Hertha Berlin +500 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Athletic Bilbao -133; Hertha Berlin +129
Total +2.5: Over +125; Under -128
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao’s poor start to their season in La Liga will weigh heavily on the shoulders of their underperforming players. Through winning just two of their last fourteen competitive matches, Athletic Bilbao finds themselves in the fifteenth position in the Spanish top flight; far below expectations after finishing in the seventh position last season.
The Europa League has been another venue of failure for the Spanish side, winning just one of their four matches, which will be especially disappointing considering that they were previously the groups favorites. Their only win of the tournament proper came in their last fixture with a 1:0 dominating win over Ostersunds, which the Bilbao faithful will hope is a sign of improvement and more wins; they will need to win in their next game to have any chance of progression. Qualifying for the next round would mark the fourth season they have done so in a row.
Manager Cuco Ziganda will be missing winger Iker Munian (cruciate ligament rupture), centre-back Yeray Alvarez (long-term injury), right-back Oscar de Marcos (sprained ankle), central midfielder Benat Etxebarria (knee) and left-back Enric Saborit (wound) through injury, while centre-back Unai Nuñez will be out through suspension.
Hertha Berlin
Hertha Berlin’s domestic form has been equally worrying, winning just three matches out of twelve in the Bundesliga this season, finding themselves worryingly in the fourteenth position; it would take a lot to match their sixth-placed finish of last season. One shining beacon of Hertha Berlin’s season has been the recent signing of winger Mathew Leckie who has settled in quickly while netting four times in his first nine appearances.
The German side’s European form has also been of a concern, picking up just four points in their four games which have seen them occupy bottom spot of Group J. However, their last Europa League match resulted in a 2:0 home win over Zorya Luhansk to give themselves at least a half-chance of progression, and offer a sign of hope that their fortunes are starting to turn around. Qualification for Hertha Berlin has always been against the odds, having not qualified since the 2009-10 season.
Manager Pal Dardai will be missing forward Julian Schieber (hyaline cartilage), central midfielder Vladimir Darida (stretched ligament), centre-back Niklas Stark (calf), attacking midfielder Valentin Stocker (meniscus tear) and winger Palko Dardai (toe) through injury.
Athletic Bilbao (Aut) vs. Hertha Berlin (Ger) – Match Prediction:
Both sides have been in poor form this season so far, although both achieved positive results in their last Europa League fixture. However, it has been Hertha Berlin that has looked the more hopeless side this season, and I believe that they are the weaker side. In addition, Athletic Bilbao has the home advantage, therefore I think they have enough to take all three points.
MY PICK: Athletic Bilbao to WIN (-127)
Ostersunds (Swe) vs. Zorya Luhansk (Ukr)
Three-Way: 1: Ostersunds -101; X: +262 Draw; 2: Zorya Luhansk +409 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Ostersunds -111; Zorya Luhansk +106
Total +2: Over -133; Under +127
Ostersunds
The Recent history of Ostersunds is more like a fairytale than non-fiction and their story continued as they finished in a very respectable fifth place finish, although missed out on a European competition spot after drawing their last game of the season three weeks ago. Ostersunds’s journey began back in 2011, when they were in tier 4 of football, and under manager Graeme Potter’s guidance, they were promoted to Sweden’s top tier of football, a position which they not only maintained in 2016 but also won the Svenska Cupen to gain a spot in Europa League qualifying.
With all of their domestic success, Ostersunds have almost gone one step further and managed to qualify for the next round of the Europa League as they sit in top position of group J. That being said, the Swedish side’s last European fixture would have been a slight disappointment as they lost 1:0 away to Athletic Club. However, just one more win should ensure progression to the knockouts in Ostersund’s first European foray.
Manager Graeme Potter will be without centre-back Douglas Bergqvist through a knee injury, but will otherwise have a full squad.
Zorya Luhansk
An average season so far for Zorya Luhansk has seen some average recent results, albeit unlucky. Last weekend saw the Ukranian side draw at home 1:1 to Veres, which was proceeded by two further draws and a 4-3 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in extra time in the domestic cup competition. Their recent draws have seen the side drop to the sixth position, a little way off of the third-place position they occupied last season to win a place in Europa League qualifying.
A 2:0 loss to Hertha Berlin in Zorya Luhansk’s last European fixture will not have helped with fans’ indifference to their season so far, although two wins prior to their loss in group I has meant that they still occupy second position. However, in four attempts, the Ukranian side have failed to progress to the round of 32, although they seem to get closer each year, last year being denied by being drawn with a tricky group which included Manchester United and Fenerbahce.
Manager Yuri Vernydub will be without centre-backs Andriy Pylyavsky (meniscus) and Vasyl Pryjma (hamstring), and right midfielder VladyslavKalitvintsev (knee) through injury.
Ostersunds (Swe) vs. Zorya Luhansk (Ukr) – Match Prediction:
Whether it’s with my heart or my head, I would fully expect Ostersunds to all but confirm their qualification to the next round by defeating a Zorya Luhansk side who will be a little low on confidence. That being said, the Ukrainian side will probably try to make it hard for their opponents and limit their attacks, so it could also be a low scoring match.
MY PICK: Ostersunds to WIN (-101)
Additional Pick: Under 2 goals (+127)
