Spartak Moscow v Thun
Thursday 15th August 1745hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 8/11 (odds taken 21.00 GMT, Wednesday 14 August)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/20 | 3/1 | 22/5 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on August 14, 2019 at 21.00)
It was arguably the match of the round last week and Spartak Moscow will be looking to finish the job against Thun, holding a 3-2 lead from the first leg.
Europa League Qualification Betting at Paddy Power
Spartak Moscow Preview – Will Spartak avoid any drama and make their way to the playoff stage?
Spartak entered Europa League qualification at this round and will have their sights set on making the group stages for the second straight season. The Russians finished bottom of their section 12 months ago. They have given themselves an opportunity of reaching the final qualifying round with an important away victory last week. Three away goals – all of which were scored by their strike partnership of Zelimkhan Bakaev and Ezequiel Ponce – have put the in a strong position. Their job has been made slightly more difficult by conceding two goals but they will feel they should still be well placed to progress.
The Russian Premier League is well underway and it’s been a somewhat underwhelming start for Spartak. Five games in and they have managed just two victories with a couple of draws. In stark contrast to last week’s game both of their home games have been very tight with only one goal scored. Should they record a third consecutive home clean sheet they will definitely be assured of their place in the playoff round.
Thun Preview – Can Swiss recover from narrow first leg loss and upset Russian hosts?
Like their opponents in this third round qualifying tie, the first leg was Thun’s first game in Europe this season. Unlike Spartak, however, it was the first European game of an sort for four years. The Swiss club qualified after a fourth place finish in their domestic league last season which ranks as a significant achievement. The challenge now is attempting to ensure that their participation is not ended at the first hurdle. Having went two goals down it was looking ominous. However, Thun responded and were able to get on level terms. Frustratingly though, conceding what turned out to be the winning goals in the last 20 minutes means they have work to do.
It’s been a rather subdued start in the Swiss Super League. Four games in and they have managed just the one victory. They do know their way to goal, however, and have managed six in those four games. Whatever happens, they travel to Russia knowing that they have to score at least twice to progress.
Key-Facts – Spartak Moscow v Thun
- Spartak Moscow brought home a 3-2 lead with them from the first leg and are big favourites to progress now
- Thun are competing in the Europa League for the first time in four years following a fourth place finish in their domestic league
- Spartak’s Zelimkhan Bakaev has started the season in great form with four goals scored between domestic and European games
Spartak Moscow v Thun Betting Advice
It was an extremely entertaining first leg but Spartak have taken a big step towards the playoff round. Bringing a first leg lead back with them and scoring three goals in the process was all they could really ask. Results in the second leg of the Champions League qualifiers show that this is very much just the halfway point and there is a lot of football to play.
The Russians have been really dogged at home in their first two league games but Thun will travel with little to fear. It should be noted that Spartak have conceded in their last four Europa League home games. The Swiss are good enough to make that five in a row. I’m not convinced they are good enough to keep a clean sheet of their own, however.
