Will Viktor Skripnik bring Luhansk into the group stage? Read our full betting prediction below!
Thanks to a goal, FK Sorja Luhansk still has hope. The Ukrainian club conceded in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs for the group stage at Espanyol Barcelona conceded three goals, but also scored a possibly important away goal. Without this goal the FK would have to win at least 4: 0. For example, even a 2: 0 would be enough.
Today’s Betting Prediction Sorja Luhansk vs Espanyol Barcelona
Thanks to a goal, FK Sorja Luhansk still has hope. The Ukrainian club conceded in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs for the group stage at Espanyol Barcelona conceded three goals, but also scored a possibly important away goal. Without this goal the FK would have to win at least 4: 0. For example, even a 2: 0 would be enough.
Before the second leg Sorja Luhansk vs.. Espanyol Barcelona do not really speak the odds for the Ukrainians. Espanyol Barcelona will also be the clear favorite in the second leg after Thursday’s 3-1 home win.
Sorja Luhansk – Statistics & Current Form
Former Werder coach Viktor Skripnik has been in charge of FK Sorja Luhansk since this summer. For Skripnik, the Ukrainian club is the second coaching post after release from the SVW. As a coach of FC Riga Skripnik had won the double after his time in the Bundesliga, but had to leave the club still in February.
In the Ukrainian Premier League Luhansk had finished fourth in the last season. The backlog of champions Shakhtar Donetsk had a proud 40 points. With this result from the preseason, the black and white were allowed to enter from the second qualifying round in the Europa League competition. About Buducnost Podgorica (3: 1, 1: 0) and CSKA Sofia (1: 1, 1: 0), the Ukrainians reached the playoffs.
In the preseason Luhansk had missed the EL group stage in the playoffs against RB Leipzig. In the two years before, however, the Ukrainians had each reached the group stage, but have never reached the sixteenth finals. Due to the war in eastern Ukraine, the club does not play its home games since 2014 in Luhansk, but in the 300 kilometers from Zaporozhye.
In the 2019/20 season of the Premier League have already completed five games. With three wins, a draw and a defeat, FK Sorja has collected ten points so far. Coach Skripnik’s team is now in third place, five points behind leaders Shakhtar Donetsk. On Sunday, Luhansk won his dress rehearsal in the league before the second leg.
Sorja won 1-0 away at Karpaty Lviv. Budkivskyi scored the goal of the day. Coach Skripnik had spared some regular players. Against Espanyol turns out Vitaly Vernidub. The deployment of German central defender Joel Abu Hanna is still uncertain. In contrast, superstar Nazarii Rusyn, loaned by Dynamo Kiev, after his yellow-red card against Sofia play again.
Expected formation of Sorja Luhansk:
➤ Shevchenko – Tymchyk, Abu Hanna, Cheberko, Mykhaylichenko – Kochergin, Lednev, Ivanisenia, Lunov – Kabayev, Rusyn
Last matches of Sorja Luhansk:
⚽️ 25.08.2019 – Karpaty Lviv vs. Sorja Luhansk 0: 1 (Premier League)
⚽️ 22.08.2019 – Espanyol Barcelona vs Sorja Luhansk 3: 1 (Europa League)
⚽️ 18.08.2019 – Sorja Luhansk vs. FC Olexandrija 1: 2 (Premier League)
⚽️ 15.08.2019 – Sorja Luhansk vs. CSKA Sofia 1: 0 (Europa League)
Espanyol Barcelona – Statistics & Current Form
The Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is one of the founding members of La Liga and now denies his 81st season in the first division. Nevertheless, the blue and white are always in the shadow of the great FC Barcelona. Last season, however, RCD finished seventh at the end of the season and celebrated the best finish in 14 years.
Since Valencia had won the cup and ended up in the table at the end of the season in fourth place, also reached the seventh place for the European Cup. Thus, the club may ran again for the first time since 2007 in the European Cup. RCD entered the competition in the second qualifying round. Over UMF Stjarnan (4: 0, 3: 1) and the FC Luzern (3: 0, 3: 0) the Spaniards reached the playoffs.
Now Barcelona have to play in the second leg away. In the preseason Espanyol took in La Liga but only three wins in 19 appearances. Thus, it was only enough for place 15 in the away table. This balance sheet makes Sorja Luhansk vs Espanyol Barcelona a prediction on a victory of the guests certainly not easier.
In the European Cup, Espanyol has even won twice in the UEFA Cup final (1988 and 2007). The final on 16 May 2007, which RCD lost to Sevilla on penalties, had been the last European Cup match of the Blue and Whites until the new season.
Before the season, coach Rubi left the club and moved to Betis Sevilla. As a successor, the club brought back David Gallego, who had already looked after the team from April to June 2018. The Periquitos also had to cope with the departure of striker Borja Iglesias, who followed his former coach to Betis. Midfield gem Marc Roca, who had become U21 European champion with Spain in the summer, could hold it. Rumor has it that FC Bayern was very interested in the youngster.
In the new La Liga season so far two games have been completed. To start the new season, the team of coach Gallego conceded a 0-2 home defeat against Sevilla. On the second matchday, the blue-whites took the 0-0 draw at Deportivo Alaves, after all, the first point in the league.
Expected lineup of Espanyol Barcelona:
➤ Diego Lopez – Vila, Villa, Lopez, Javi Lopez – Vargas, Roca, Sanchez – Wu, Ferreyra, Melendo
Last matches of Espanyol Barcelona:
⚽️ 25.08.2019 – Alaves Vs. Espanyol Barcelona 0: 0 (La Liga)
⚽️ 22.08.2019 – Espanyol Barcelona vs Sorja Luhansk 3: 1 (Europa League)
⚽️ 18.08.2019 – Espanyol Barcelona vs Sevilla 0-2 (La Liga)
⚽️ 15.08.2019 – Espanyol Barcelona vs Luzern 3: 0 (Europa League)
⚽️ 08.08.2019 – Luzern vs Espanyol Barcelona 0: 3 (Europa League)
Sorja Luhansk vs Espanyol Barcelona Direct Comparison & Statistics Highlights
In the first leg both teams met each other for the first time. Only in the second half turned the hosts from the La Liga right on. At break, the guests had by a goal by Kochergin even with 1: 0 led. In the end Espanyol won by a goal shooting ratio of 23: 6 earned 3: 1.
Luhansk were last hit by a Spanish opponent in the 2017/18 group stage, having beaten surprisingly 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao and lost 2-0 at home.
Sorja Luhansk vs Espanyol Barcelona Betting Odds & other interesting bets at a glance:
If Espanyol Barcelona enter the Europa League qualification this season, goals will be scored. In the first five games, the Catalans scored a total of 16 times. A
As the home side will have to play forward as well, we would face Sorja Luhansk vs Espanyol Barcelona recommend the prediction of good odds on “over 2.5 goals” as a lucrative alternative.
🔺 Betting Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
🔺 Betting odds: 1.95
🔺 Betting Prediction: Under 2.5 goals
🔺 Betting Odds: 1.85🔺 Betting Prediction: Both teams to score/ YES
🔺 Betting Odds: 1.72
🔺 Betting Prediction: Both teams to score/ NO
🔺 Betting Odds: 2.00
Sorja Luhansk vs Espanyol Barcelona Our Best Betting Prediction Explained
Through the away goal Ukrainians still believe in their chance against the big favorites. Comparing the two squads with each other, actually speaks for the guests. The players of RCD taken together have a tenfold market value compared to the Ukrainian club from Luhansk.
Sorja wants to start at home to the first half in Barcelona, when they could keep the Spanish first division well from their own goal and even to the 1-0 lead met. The difficulty is that the hosts can not rely on their defensive and have to score two goals themselves. In addition, the FK on Thursday denies its eleventh competitive match since 25 July. That should play the guests from La Liga in the cards.
Key facts – Sorja Luhansk vs Espanyol Barcelona tips
🔻 Sorja Luhansk conceded only two defeats in the last nine EL games – in Leipzig and Espanyol
🔻 RCD has suffered only one defeat in the last 16 competitive matches
🔻 In the first leg, both clubs met for the first time
The guests from Barcelona are the clear favorites and should not let take the bread after the 3: 1 butter. The only question is whether Espanyol plays in the Ukraine on victory or may be satisfied with a draw? We believe that RCD does not want to dispute doubts about entering the group stage.
Thus, we set in the second leg Sorja Luhansk vs Espanyol Barcelona our tip on “Victory Espanyol Barcelona”.
🔺 Competition: Europa League Qualification
🔺 Date: 29.08.2019
🔺 Betting Prediction: Espanyol Barcelona (2)
🔺 Odds: 2.25
🔺 Stake: 3/10 units
