Alongside the beginning of the qualifying rounds for the UEFA Champions League, the qualifying rounds for Europe’s second and third-tier competitions are set to begin as teams compete for a place in the Europa League and Europa Conference League.
While some will have experience and expectations of reaching the group stages, others will dream of reaching the competition for the first time, leaving these games sure to be full of action and drama.
In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at a selection of these matches and pick out our top tips and booking code:
Elfsborg vs Pafos
Neither of these sides are expected to go on and qualify for the group stage of the Europa League, but both will certainly give it their all. While Elfsborg qualified thanks to a second-placed finish in their league, the highest in the top tier since 2012, Pafos finished fifth in their league and qualified thanks to lifting the Cypriot Cup.
Pafos have impressed in their pre-season matches, including a goalless draw against Panathinaikos. Still, Elfsborg come into this game with confidence after a convincing win in their league and with home advantage, leading us to expect the hosts to win this one.
Elfsborg to win, 1.78
Wisla Krakow vs KF Llapi
Wisla Krakow have plenty of history in European competitions, most notably reaching the quarterfinals of the 1978-79 Champions League, but this is set to be their first appearance in Europe since 2011-12 due to a plummet down the Polish standings. They now find themselves shockingly stuck in the second division in Poland, finishing 10th last season, and only qualified for this competition due to a Polish Cup victory.
KF Llapi, on the other hand, are set to make their debut in this competition after a second-placed finish last year. While they come into the game as the perceived underdogs, their form has been much better than the hosts, who have lost all of their last four matches, and we expect the visitors to get the victory here.
KF Llapi to win, 5.00
Sheriff Tiraspol vs Zira FK
Sheriff Tiraspol have enjoyed plenty of European football in recent seasons, qualifying for a group stage of either the Champions League or Europa League in each of the last three years. Zira, on the other hand, are set to take part in just their third experience of continental football, but they come into this one knowing they are clear underdogs.
While Sheriff Tiraspol were not as successful in the league as usual last season, they still boast plenty of quality throughout their squad and we expect them to win this one fairly comfortably.
Sheriff Tiraspol to win, 1.66
Shelbourne vs St Joseph’s FC
Shelbourne have a long history of competing in European football but have not made an appearance in any European competition since 2006, while the visitors have competed, and lost, in qualifying in six of the last seven seasons.
The hosts do come into this game not only boasting the home advantage but also having much more quality throughout their squad, and we expect that will help them get over the line with a fairly comfortable lead to take into the second leg.
Shelbourne to win, 1.30
Booking Code: 6SGGF7D – Bet Here
