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UEFA Europa League Qualifying Odds & Picks – Third Round Leg 2

Josh Ricker

by Josh Ricker in Soccer News

Updated Aug 10, 2021 · 7:17 AM PDT

Europa League
Galatasaray's Mbaye Diagne reacts after PSV scored their second goal during the Champions League second qualifying round, second leg, soccer match between Galatasaray and PSV in Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. (AP Photo)
  • The second leg of all third round qualifying matches of the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League kick-off on Tuesday and Thursday this week
  • With 16 teams remaining, only eight can join the play-off round where they will be joined by AZ, Fenerbahce, Zorya Luhansk, Royal Antwerp, Sturm Graz and Randers
  • Get the odds, our analysis and betting prediction below

Most European clubs are either just coming out of or preparing for their first week of competitive play in domestic leagues. However, some smaller clubs have been hard at work, trying to qualify for European play this season. The Europa League is in their third round of qualifying, with the second legs taking place on Tuesday and Thursday this week.

The first five matches in the table below all are considered “Champions Path” games. This means that all of these sides fell out of the Champions League’s second qualifying round out of the champions path. The latter three games are “Main Path” games which consist of teams who either just entered this round of qualifying, or who dropped down from Champions League second qualifying round out of the league path.

UEFA Europa League Qualifying Third Round Odds

Matchup Home Draw Away
Flora Tallinn vs Omonia Nicosia +225 +225 +125
Slovan Bratislava vs Lincoln Red Imps FC -350 +500 +900
Alashkert vs Kayrat Almaty +280 +225 +105
HJK Helsinki vs Neftchi Baku -125 +290 +320
Anorthosis Famagusta vs Rapid Vienna +270 +280 -110
Zalgiris Vilnius vs NS Mura +115 +240 +240
St. Johnstone vs Galatasaray +290 +235 +100
Celtic vs Jablonec -290 +450 +675

Odds as of August 9 at DraftKings

The eight winners of these matches will go onto the Europa League play-off round, where they can finally advance to the group stage. Meanwhile, the losers will, unfortunately, drop down into the newly founded Europa Conference League qualifying matches.

For smaller clubs, these matches seriously mean so much, both to the fans and the clubs themselves. The names might not be as familiar, but the matches will be as cracking as ever.

Anorthosis Famagusta vs Rapid Vienna Prediction

The first key match to preview features Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus and Rapid Vienna of Austria. The reverse fixture of this match was taken easily by Vienna, winning 3-0 at home. Dietmar Kühbauer’s side used three different goal scorers to help their cause, and that match could have been 4-0 if it were not for a missed Christoph Knasmullner penalty kick.

Furthermore, Rapid Vienna have a history of Europa League qualifying success. They have advanced to the group stages twice in the last five years, with this current crop of players doing so just last year. Since the first leg, Vienna captured another 3-0 victory over Wolfsberger in the Austrian Bundesliga. While the scoreline might not be as harsh this time around, I still expect Rapid Vienna to win the second leg easily and advance.

Pick: Rapid Vienna moneyline (-110)

St. Johnstone vs Galatasaray Prediction

The next between St. Johnstone and Galatasaray is particularly interesting because of the result in the first leg. It is safe to say that St. Johnstone of Scotland are quite the underdogs in this particular matchup. Nonetheless, they managed the ever so important first leg draw away from home. Ali McCann was stellar for the Saints and a penalty from Jason Kerr was all the lads from Scotland needed to go home with a positive result.

The Scottish club have had a bit of an awkward start to their season, drawing their first three matches. On the other hand, Galatasaray have not been much better. They drew to their Thursday opponents and got absolutely shellacked by PSV Eindhoven in Champions League qualifying, losing on aggregate 7-2. St. Johnstone have been cleared for a capacity crowd, and I actually favor them to go ahead and pull off a major upset.

Pick: St. Johnstone moneyline (+290)

Celtic vs Jablonec Prediction

The last featured match in this round of Europa League qualifying is between Celtic and Jablonec. Celtic, also from Scotland, are obviously the massive favorites. Ange Postecoglou’s side won the first leg in what was a very open-ended match, finishing 4-2. Their opponents from the Czech Republic fought hard to get a goal back early in the match and were granted with an own goal with just five minutes to play thanks to Nir Bitton.

Additionally, Jablonec have not won in the past couple of weeks, making it unlikely they will see victory against the Bhoys. Conversely, Celtic built on last week’s performance with a 6-0 thrashing of Dundee United on Sunday. There is no value in betting on Celtic to win, but there is a ton of value in betting on this being another goal-fest.

Pick: Over 3.5 total goals (+135)

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