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Astra Giurgiu will seek one of the most impressive results in their history, as they take on West Ham United in the Europa League 3rd qualifying round second leg after a 2-2 draw in the first round. They key here is that West Ham United will field a second string lineup, composed of youngsters and second team players.
The Romanians were lucky to escape with a 2-2 draw in the first leg, but showed great character to come back from 2-0 against a West Ham side that fielded all available stars from the first minute. Astra capitalized on having an extra man in the last half an hour and got the draw, despite West Ham being the better team. Today`s hosts are a solid side, they have one of the best squads in Romania, arguably second best after Steaua. They possess very good technical qualities, but can be inconsistent. Astra knocked out Inverness in the previous round, 1-0 aggregate and are coming after a 2-2 home draw with Viitorul – but they played very well and probably deserved the win, despite their focus being on this West Ham match.
It`s fair to say that West Ham has been an atrocity so far in the Europa League. They got here via the fair play rule and it was clear that they weren`t going to play lights out in the first rounds, with many key players rested and no fitness, but even so, the results and manner of play were horrific. West Ham defeated Lusitanos 4-0 aggregate and they really struggled to create chances against an amateur team. They followed that with a qualification via penalties with Birkirkara and the 2-2 draw against Astra. Slaven Bilic stated that he wanted to play the first team in the first leg and did so, but this time around he will send the subs on.
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Team news & lineups:
Astra is healthy and ready to go, but West Ham will rest virtually all starters, most of them left at home. The only regular first team players expected to feature are Jenkinson (because he is not allowed to play against Arsenal), Maiga and Nolan.
Astra Giurgiu: Lung jr – Queiros, Geraldo, Găman, Junior Morais – Seto, Boldrin – Enache, Teixeira, William – Budescu
West Ham United: Spiegel – Jenkinson, Henry, Knoyle, Pike – Poyet, Nolan, Cullen, Nasha – Maiga, Lanzini
This is one of Astra’s biggest ever matches, while for West Ham it`s obviously more like a semi-official encounter. They were dreadful without their key players in the earlier stages of the competition and, considering that Astra was competitive against the best West Ham lineup in England, they have a huge shot against a weakened lineup in Romania. Astra is a talented team and they usually rise up to the big occasions – they knocked out Lyon last season, so they proved they can do it.
Looking at West Ham’s performances so far and their clear disinterest in this second leg, I can see Astra rising up and going to the next round. Besides motivation and home court advantage, they are also simply much better than this list of youngsters and fringe players that West Ham will field. I believe Astra will win, but my tip is Astra to qualify, just in case the hosts decide to play for the draw. Odds are dropping, great value on the bet. Anyhing can happen of course, but giving the circumstances, I reckon 10 units is a justified investment. Prediction: Astra Giurgiu – West Ham United 2-1.
Pick: Astra to qualify
Odds: 1.75 @ Winner
Stake: 10
Possible profit: 7.5
Event date: 6 August
