Runavik v Hibernian Betting Preview – UEFA Europa League 19th July 7.45pm
Well, Hibs have pretty much put this tie to bed after the first leg. They pounded out a 6-1 win at Easter Road in the first leg of this Europa League first qualifying round tie. So it remains highly unlikely that their opponents are going to find a way back into this tie to turn it all around. So a job well done by Hibs and they can take a relaxing trip to the Faroe Islands in midweek. Read our Runavik v Hibernian predictions as we take a look at the game.
Runavik News and Form
It was highly unlikely that this tie was going to be a great competitive contest. It is pretty much over after the first leg. The Faroe Islands outfit saw themselves behind really early in the game and then had a player sent off after 30 minutes, so they had a huge struggle. Runavik are well versed in the rigours of the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League. This eighth attempt at getting past the first qualification round of the Europe League. We are predicting more failure this go around. Their record in Europa League qualifiers stands at W1 D1 L13 and overall their European record is W2 D1 L20. To their credit they took their chance for the goal when it came along and both teams to score out in Runavik is at 10/11 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from July 15th, 2018 at 10:58 p.m.).
Hibernian News and Form
Hibs couldn’t have asked for an easier start to the summer than the win they got at Easter Road. After just three minutes they were 1-0 up and the star of the goalscoring show that they produced was Swiss striker Florian Kamberi who netted a hattrick. You got the feeling that even if Runavik had avoided the red card this still would have been all too easy for Hibs really. It may just be worth looking over 2.5 goals for the second leg at 4/7* (Betting Odds were taken from July 15th, 2018 at 10:58 p.m.) because this really is a mismatch. There should be more goals in this for Hibs if they want them, but all they need to really do is take it easy for 90 minutes and even have a look at some of their squad.
There should have been more for Hibs in the first leg, to be honest as they had more good chances to strike. The quality levels of their opponents just wasn’t there and this second leg will be non-competitive really. This is the fourth Europa League qualification campaign for Hibs and they will be looking to improve upon last season’s efforts when they were knocked out of the second qualifying round by Brondby, having entered at that stage. Hibs have never been past the third qualifying round. That first leg win was just their second victory in the Europa League qualifiers (W2 D0 L5).
Runavik v Hibernian Head to Head
The first leg was the first meeting between the two clubs. The winner of this tie will move through to the second qualifying round to meet Asteras Tripolis from Greece who qualified from the direct path.
Runavik v Hibernian Betting Odds*
Hibernian 1/3
Draw 4/1
NSI Runavik 5/1
* (Betting Odds were taken from Ladbrokes on July 15th, 2018 at 10:58 p.m.)
Runavik v Hibernian Predictions
Hibs were more than comfortable in that first leg at home and while this game gives Hibs boss Neil Lennon a good chance to have a look at some of his squad, there is not going to be any big upset happening. Indeed, look for Hibs to come away with a win to nil in the second leg as well.
