Asteras Tripolis v Hibernian Betting Preview – UEFA Europa League 2nd August 7.45pm
This tie is still alive after a breathtaking first leg at Easter Road. Hibs found themselves 2-0 behind at the half time break and had to produce a big rallying performance to keep themselves in this. They did that with three second-half goals. But that’s not the most comfortable of scorelines to take out on the road for the second leg. It could be a really intense night for the men in green out in Greece.
Asteras Tripolis News and Form
That was some game that first leg. Because Hibs were so poor in the first half, Greek side Asteras Tripolis took full advantage by going into the halftime break at 2-0 up away from home. Georgios Kyriakopoulos was the man of the moment for the Greeks as he got both of their goals. Even though Hibs were bad, credit is due to Asteras who looked a pretty slick side actually and very comfortable and technically good on the ball. They are going to give Hibs a stern test out in Athens on Thursday. One of our predictions for the game is over 2.5 goals at 17/20 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from July 28th, 2018 at 10:43 p.m.) for the second leg as well. It’s hard to see either sitting back here. Asteras did suffer a setback late into the first leg as they had defender Triantafyllos Pasilidis pick up a second yellow card for a cynical challenge six minutes from time. They would have taken the draw at that point but conceded a third to Hibs deep into stoppage time. So that leaves the Greeks having to score on home soil, but they aren’t in too bad of a position even after that late goal conceded.
Hibernian News and Form
You probably aren’t going to see much poorer stuff from Hibs at any point of the season than what they produced in the first half of the first leg. They were really slow, sloppy and when chances did come their way they were dreadfully wasteful. They were a long way second best at Easter Road over the first 45 minutes. But they did get themselves back together, their first a bizarre goal which sparked the comeback. Neil Lennon’s men are going to have be a lot sharper from the start out on the road as they have lost two away goals in the tie now. Asteras had their back line troubled time and time again and there hasn’t been many defensive strengths from Hibs though this qualifying campaign so far. Both teams to score is at 4/5 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from July 28th, 2018 at 10:43 p.m.). All three of the Hibees’ games in Europa League qualifying have been high scoring ones. There was that 12-5 aggregate win of NSI Runavik in the last round scoring six goals in each leg. Then with the three in the first leg against Asteras, Hibs can be happy with their output. They will be less about the stack of goals they have conceded thus far.
Asteras Tripolis v Hibernian Head to Head
The winner of this tie will go forward to face Norway’s Molde or Albanians Laci in the third round of qualifying. The first leg was the first-ever meeting between the two Asteras and Hibs.
Asteras Tripolis v Hibernian Betting Odds*
Asteras Tripolis 5/6
Draw 27/10
Hibernian 3/1
* (Betting Odds were taken from July 28th, 2018 at 10:43 p.m.)
Asteras Tripolis v Hibernian Predictions
The Greeks are not in a bad position here really as they look a pretty decent side and will be confident on home soil. We are backing a home win for our prediction here as Hibs have not performed defensively well at all so far in qualifying and this is no easy away game for them. A poor defence is likely going to be their downfall.
