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Ukrainian outfit Oleksandria will host Croatian giants Hajduk Split in what should be an evenly matched Europa League qualifying clash.
Oleksandria finished 6th last season in Ukraine, a position which does not qualify for Europa League, but they reached the competition due to playing in the Cup final (lost to Shakhtar). The hosts are an average side, composed exclusively of local players with no particular talents. They play a disciplined and organized brand of football within their means, which is enough to compete for a finish in the top half of the Ukrainian table. Oleksandria played its first competitive match of the season last weekend, losing 1-5 in Kiev against Dynamo.
Hajduk remains a decent team despite not being the same side it was a few years ago. They were nowhere near Dinamo Zagreb and Rijeka last season in Croatia, when they finished third and the same story is expected this year. Hajduk played 3 competitive matches so far this season, a 2-0 victory over Cibalia in the Croatian League and a 4-3 aggregate qualification over CSMS Iasi (Romania) in Europa League. Hajduk was really poor against Iasi, struggling against a mid table, low quality Romanian team and they were actually a bit lucky to go trough. Hajduk’s defense was particularly bad against a Iasi team that lacks offensive power.
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Oleksandria is not exactly the most dangerous team at this level, but neither is Hajduk, at least not anymore. The tie seems open and a bet on the 1×2 market seems risky, but I do like a bet on goals here.
While it`s true that the hosts usually play slow, boring football and might try to impose that kind of rhythm in this match, Hajduk’s defense looks really bad right now. The hosts should be able to find a goal or two here, but the same can be said about Hajduk.
The visitors do have some talent up front and they scored 6 goals in 3 matches this season. They met a similar team to Oleksandriya in the previous round, CSMS Iasi and recorded a 2-2 draw away before winning 2-1 at home. And Oleksandriya, after all, just allowed 5 goals from Dynamo Kiev, so their defense is far from being impenetrable, even if Dynamo Kiev is at a different level than Hajduk.
My tip is both teams to score, with medium stakes. While I don`t think this bet is a so called lock, I do believe it makes sense and definitely has better chances to be a winner than the odds suggest. Unibet with a brilliant price here. Prediction: Oleksandria – Hajduk Split 1-1.
Pick: Both to score
Odds: 2.28 @ Unibet
Stake: 6
Possible profit: 7.68
Event date: 28 July
