SAINT-ETIENNE v AEK
Thursday 28th July 2016 – Kickoff: 2100hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League Betting Tips
Saint-Etienne qualified for the Europa League qualifying stage thanks to finishing in sixth place in the French Ligue 1, just two points behind Lille. Both of these teams feature in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, and my first of these two teams is featured in this write up.
Saint-Etienne have produced some disappointing results in their pre-season games, winjing just once in their four matches prior to their Europa League involvement, which was a 3-1 home win over Clermont.
However, defeats to Tours, PSV and Lausanne Sport will have them firmly focused on producing a better display at their Stade Geoffroy-Guichard ground this evening as they look to progress in this competition.
Visitors AEK Athens by contrast have won all five of their warm-up games as they’ve beaten Banik Ostrava, Korona Kielce, Wigry Suwalki, Pogon and Aris although they’re expected to be facing much sterner competition in the shape of Saint-Etienne this evening.
AEK Athens’ route to the Europa League was sealed with a 2-1 Cup win over Olympiakos which was played in an empty stadium following crowd violence in the semi-final, but their previous results in this competition have been pretty average.
Just two wins from their last nine matches played at this level suggests they could be up against it over the next two legs despite winning their last away match in the Europa League 3-1 at Sturm Graz back in 2011.
I fancy the hosts to get the edge here this evening as a result.
Pick: Saint-Etienne to win @ 1.70 Bet Victor
