Vitesse vs Dundalk
5 August 1800hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League
Pick Over 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Betvictor
Odds: 4/7 odds taken 2000 GMT, Friday 30 July
Vitesse enjoyed an excellent campaign last season and will be looking to take that into the European scene as they take on Dundalk who have done so well to reach this stage.
Table of Contents
Vitesse Preview – Will Vitesse’s class show as they look to take commanding lead into second leg?
Thomas Letsch couldn’t have hoped for a better first season as head coach of Vitesse. Having never managed in the Netherlands before the jury was out on his the German would get on but he has answered anybody who had doubts about his appointment. Vitesse are always going to be up against it to qualify for European football through the Eredivisie but that’s exactly what they done last season.
A fourth place finish – with only Ajax, PSV and AZ above them – ahead of one of the giants in Dutch football in Feyenoord was a real success for them. They were also extremely unfortunate in the Dutch Cup final – going down 2-1 to the all-conquering Ajax. Letsch’s men conceded the decisive goal in added time in the final.
Vitesse scored the fewest of the top five clubs in the Eredivisie last season and by a considerable margin. Just two of their players made it into double figures (Lois Openda and Armando Broja both got 10). The latter of those has returned to parent club Chelsea so it will mean others have to step up this season.
Riechedly Bazoer is one of their most influential players. The midfielder moved to Wolfsburg from Ajax for £12m in 2016 but it’s at Vitesse where he seems to have found a home. He started 29 of 34 league games last season.
Dundalk Preview – Can Dundalk continue their European adventure by causing a huge shock in this match?
Vinny Perth has been involved with Dundalk for nearly a decade, first as assistant manager and now as head coach. He remains on one title success in charge and that won’t change this season as they find themselves in seventh place after 20 games. Dundalk are 17 points adrift of Shamrock Rovers who are favourites to retain their title. More frustratingly for Perth and his players is that they appear likely to miss out on European football next term.
They’re 11 points off of third place which was their finishing position in the shortened 2020 campaign. With 10 games to play it’s improbable they will overturn that deficit to climb into the European spots.
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Dundalk have already negotiated two qualifying rounds to reach this stage, however. They have beaten Newtown 5-0 on aggregate before a more competitive affair against Levadia in which they prevailed 4-3. They know this tie will be another step up and would rank as one of their biggest scalps if they are to get through to the playoff.
They have a good recent history in reaching the group stages of European football as well. They made it to the group stages of the Europa League last season although they failed to get a point in their section. That was the second time in four years they’ve made it that far.
Vitesse vs Dundalk Betting Advice
This looks like a mismatch but Dundalk do enjoy being underdogs and have reached the group stages of a more competitive European tournament twice in recent years – so they know what it takes.
Vitesse come into this favourites and will expect to get beyond their opponents to set-up a playoff tie – most likely with Anderlecht.
Key Facts – Vitesse vs Dundalk Betting Tip
- Vitesse finished fourth in last season’s Eredivisie, behind Ajax, PSV and AZ
- Dundalk have defeated Newtown and FCI Levadia to reach this stage of qualification
- KF Laci or Anderlecht await the winners of this tie in the playoff round
I expect goals in this one. Dundalk have shown they are capable of scoring goals as well as conceding them so far in their European campaign. Their games are averaging three goals to date and I fancy that to continue. Back Over 2.5 goals.
Best Betting Odds for Vitesse vs Dundalk
