Thursday 8th December 2016 Kickoff: 2005hrs
Southampton v Hapoel Be’er Sheva
Football – Europe – Europa League
The only thing left to decide in Group K is which team will finish second to Sparta Prague and join the Czech’s in the knockout stage. Southampton and Hapoel Be’er Sheva are tied on seven points and nothing could split them when they two met in Israel back in September. The home team know that because they failed to score in that away game, nothing less than a win will do if they wish to be playing European football after Christmas.
The Europa League campaign has been a little stop start for Saints in a group where they would probably have expected to qualify when it was drawn. Although they were very much lacking in experience at this level, the Premier League outfit were handed a real chance to progress to the latter stages and got off to the perfect start with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Sparta. When you look at how the group stands now it is somewhat surprising to see how they have struggled to kick on from that whereas that opponent has already qualified. Saints only other win came against Italian giants Inter who have been simply shocking throughout this competition and will finish bottom of the section. Narrow defeats against both those teams in the away games mean they still have it all to do on Thursday but will be confident because of their 100% record at St Mary’s in Europe this term.
Hapoel are only competing in this competition after being eliminated from the Champions League qualification at the final hurdle when losing to Celtic in the playoff round. Their participation in the Europa League will have been pleasing for the club, however, who are very much finding their feet at this level so to have a chance to progress to the knockout round going into the final group game is probably a touch unexpected – particularly as they were drawn against teams from two of the ‘big five’ leagues. Their most memorable game to date was undoubtedly the 2-0 win in the San Siro against Inter, a match that will live long in the memory of all involved with the club. Like Southampton, though, they have struggled for wins since then but were able to do the double against Inter last time out, coming back from a two goal deficit to win 3-2. Whatever happens on Thursday they will certainly look back on both those game with huge fondness.
Southampton v Hapoel Be’er Sheva Betting Tips
Although this has the look of a game between two evenly matched teams I think there is more of a gulf between them than the current group table suggests. Southampton have been unlucky at certain times throughout this campaign, particularly in the game against Inter in Italy when they were much the better team. There is also an argument to be made that they should have taken all three points when they last played Hapoel. At home, knowing they need to win in order to progress, I fully expect them to have too much for the visitors who showed against Celtic in Glasgow that they can be gotten at when travelling, especially early on in the game. Saints have scored two or more goals in both home games in this competition thus far and can notch at least two once again.
Southampton over 1.5 goals 7/10 @ Coral
