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Knattspyrnufelag Reykjavik (Iceland) will host Glenavon (Northern Ireland) in the first leg of the first Europa League qualifying round. KR is viewed as a solid 1.35 favorite in this match.
The domestic season in Iceland is in full swing, but KR has had a dreadful start to the campaign. Today`s hosts are 10th (out of 12) in the standings after 9 rounds and have lost the previous 3 matches – a dreadful record for a team that finished 3rd last season and was expected to again challenge for the title this season. However, it has to be said that KR has been a bit unlucky with some of these results, they were the better team in many of their losses. It has to be said that since last week, KR has a new manager.
Glenavon finished 3rd last season in Northern Ireland, but more than 20 points behind the first place. They are currently in the off season break, so they are not playing competitive season since 2 months ago. They did not look too good in friendlies, failing to score a goal in two matches. Glenavon is competing for the 3rd season in a row in Europa League, after previously not participating in Europe since 2001. However, their return has been disappointing so far, as they lost all 4 games in the last two years – including 0-3 and 2-3 with another Icelandic team, FH, two seasons ago.
Place your bet on KR Reykjavik vs Glenavon with the best odds at Unibet.com now!
Team news: There are no reports in either team about important or new missing players.
As strange as it may sound, I have actually watched some of KR’s matches and they have played good, attacking football, missing a lot of chances. Their last match against IA Akranes was a perfect example of their bad luck this season. Reykjhavik led 1-0 and had plenty of chances to make it 2-0, until IA Akranes scored twice in the last 5 minutes or so – first via a fluke penalty and then, in the last seconds, via a miracle wonder goal (one of the best I ever saw), totally out of nowhere.
Icelandic football is pretty decent at club level these days and all these club sides will surely be pumped up by what the National team has achieved. KR Reykjavik is the better team here, they are at home and they have the advantage of playing competitive football, there`s also very cold weather right now in Iceland, which gould give KR a bit of an edge.
I don`t believe Glenavon, coming from an inferior league, can overcome all these factors. The visitors stated that they are dreaming about scoring a goal and will do their best to try and keep the tie alive, just to have something to play for at home. That does not sound encouraging for Glenavon fans, when their team is basically ready to celebrate a potential 1-2, 2-3 or even 0-1 defeat.
The question mark is represented by Reykjavik’s poor form, but as I said, they are playing better than result suggest and this is what makes me think this is a good bet with some value attached to it. I believe this is the perfect opportunity for them to get a win that will rejuvenate morale and put them back on track in the league. There`s also the fact that KR has a new manager, which is always a bit of an unknown. That is a risk I am willing to take, but I don`t see why it should have a big negative impact.
My tip is Knattspyrnufelag Reykjavik to get the win and also cover a 1,25 goal asian handicap. Unibet’s odds for this bet are way above the market average, so I will take it with moderately high stakes. Prediction: KR Reykjavik – Glenavon 3-0.
Pick: KR Reykjavik (-1,25 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.90 @ Unibet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.20
Event date: 30 June
