Partizan – Ath Bilbao

Partizan will host Athletic Bilbao in Belgrade, with the match promising to be an intense and close affair, counting for the Europa League group L.

The hosts might not be in great form domestically, where they dropped to the third place despite winning 3-2 over the weekend, but they have been excellent in Europa League. Partizan are the surprising leaders of Group L, winning both matches against Alkmaar and Augsburg, scoring 6 goals in the process but also conceding 3. The Serbians have a very poor defense, which is costing them, but the offense is excellent, with some very, very talented players. Partizan changed the manager last week, bringing in Ljubinko Drulovic.

Athletic Club is fresh off a 2-2 draw away at in form Deportivo La Coruna, but Bilbao will be disappointed with blowing a 2-0 lead. It was another shaky game at the back for the visitors, who conceded at least a goal in 8 of the last 9 matches in all competitions. On the bright side, they also scored in 7 of the last 8 games. Athletic is tied with Alkmaar for the second place in this group, having lost with the Dutch side 1-2, but winning with Augsburg 3-1.

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Both sides are attack oriented. Partizan is a team that is rarely involved in low scoring games, they are just too poor at the back, compensating with the great attacking power. I don`t think the change of manager will have an impact over the way they play – Drulovic’s first game in charge was an all out attacking display and a 3-2 win. Athletic Bilbao has also been scoring a lot of goals lately, playing entertaining football. All 4 matches played by the two sides in this group saw over 2,5 goals and both teams scoring.

I can easily see Athletic having fun at times with Partizan’s horrid defense (which will also be weakened by the absence of Subic), but the hosts should be able to create a fair number of chances themselves with home court advantage.

I was going to go with both teams to score initially, but in the end my tip is on the under / over market – over 2,5 goals. There is just too big of a difference in the odds – 1.80 for both to score, 2.10 for the over. Prediction: Partizan Belgrade – Athletic Bilbao 2-2.

Pick: over 2,5 goals
Odds: 2.10 @ 1xBet
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 7.70
Event date: 22 October