Europa League, Tottenham and Porto will try to turn things around in the continental competition to chase away the crisis: predictions.
There are two days to go before the end of the Europa League’s single group stage, which has changed its guise as of this year following the Uefa-branded “reform” that affected Champions and Conference as well. At the top of the standings are Lazio and Athletic Bilbao, both with 16 points, but neither of them has already detached the arithmetic pass for the round of 16, reserved for whoever finishes in the top eight. We have, however, the name of the first eliminated team, already out since last December: it is the disastrous Dinamo Kiev, stuck with zero points.
Who is in danger of having to contest the play-offs is Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, which was initially one of the big favorites for the final victory. The odds regarding an eventual Spurs triumph are on the upswing, complicit in the bad period Son and co. are experiencing at home. The Londoners have cashed in as many as five defeats in the last six days of the Premier League, sinking in the standings (they are 15th).
Last weekend’s knockout with Everton has made the Australian coach’s position even more precarious.It will be crucial not to make a mistake in the cup match against Germany’s Hoffenheim, another struggling team. The Sinsheim club currently has 6 points and is outside the top 24, but things are not going well in the Bundesliga either, where Kramaric and his teammates are fighting not to relegate. On Saturday they ended their fast of wins by beating Kiel 3-1 away: difficult to repeat against Spurs, who although struggling with so many problems, should come out on top in a match with at least three goals overall.
The predictions on the other matches
In the full race for direct qualification as well Bodo/Glimt: the Norwegian champions of points have 10 and in this round they should be able to get the better of the Israelis of Maccabi Tel Aviv – currently out of the top 24 – despite the fact that they have not played an official match since December 12 (the Eliteserien will start again in March). The field factor – they play on synthetic – could be decisive.
The one between Malmo and Twente, both paired on 4 points, is instead a sort of play-off to stay afloat and avert elimination: slight preference for the Dutch in a match in which the Swedes might be a bit rusty due to the long stop (Sweden also has a winter break).
Seeking redemption in the European arena is Porto, which has just given the sack to Vitor Bruno: fatal to the now former Dragoes coach was the defeat at home to Gil Vicente. On the bench, against Olympiacos, will sit interim coach José Tavares, called upon immediately to shake up a group that was probably in need of new stimulus. Expected balance, finally, in Fenerbahçe-Lyon: the French have 5 more points and with a win they would secure the round of 16, but watch out for José Mourinho’s team, which in front of its own public often has an extra gear: both, in any case, should score at least one goal on each side. Qarabag-FCSB will also be a “goal” race.
Europa League: possible winners
Bodo/Glimt (in Bodo/Glimt-Maccabi Tel Aviv).
Twente or draw (in Malmo-Twente)
Porto (in Porto-Olympiacos)
Tottenheim (in Hoffenheim-Tottenham)
Matches of at least three goals total
Porto-Olympiacos
Malmo-Twente
Hoffenheim-Tottenham
Europa League: the matches with at least one goal per team
Fenerbahçe-Lyon
Qarabag-FCSB
Share comparison
Port’s win is listed at 1.53 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 1.55 on Snai. The “Goal” sign in Fenerbahçe-Lyon is instead quoted at 1.45 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai.
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