Toulouse still has certain chances of progressing further in the EL only if they record wins in their last 2 matches but they’ll also need Shakhtar to beat Brugge tonight. Therefore, there’s no doubt they will enter this clash fully motivated and using a very aggressive approach from the start they will try to force their tempo and get the 3 points in the easiest way possible. They fall under the category of average Ligue 1 teams and in the last round they recorded a narrow 1:0 win against the newcomer in the league Boulogne, while their last 2 games in the EL ended with 2 losses to Shakhtar by 2:0 at home and 4:0 away. Their coach Cassanova has got quite a few missings for this match, out of which the most important ones are surely the absences of their goalie Pele, then Fofana, and their probably best player Gignac who is highly doubtful, so together with a few other players that will miss out due to injuries, it could be said they’re entering this game quite weakened.
No ambitions
Partizan currently has got the worst defense in this year’s Europa League as they already conceded as many as 13 goals, even though many believed that such an experienced defense led by Krstajic, Gavrancic and Djordjevic would be the best part of this team before the start of this season. However, the black-whites showed very little desire to try hard and record some better result on the international scene ever since they got eliminated to APOEL in the CL qualifiers, after which they played really poor in every European game they played. Nevertheless, their win in the “eternal derby” against Zvezda from a few days ago has awaken them a bit in my eyes, and I think they could very easily continue playing in the same fashion in this clash as well, finally winning their first point in Europe after several seasons. Coach Stevanovic decided to rest his main striker Diarra, which might be a good thing actually as the Senegalese is in rather bad shape as of late, so the reserve strikers will hopefully get a lot more minutes and maybe even surprise all with good displays. Krstajic also won’t be there due to suspension, but Knezevic and Djordjevic should be, together with Gavrancic potentially, at the top of their game this time.
Even
Partizan is arriving to France on the wings of their great win in the derby, and just like the French coach Cassanova stated, the black-whites will be extremely motivated to continue their good series and correct the mistakes from the first game against his team. The Frenchmen are aware they’ll be hosting a very solid technical squad, which does have a lot of defensive problems so that will exactly be their main goal – to pressurize Partizan’s back line. The visitors will have their chances against depleted hosts through dangerous wings and attackers led by midfielder Moreira and will probably get a lot of good goal-scoring chances and maybe even goals. I think Toulouse won’t get through as they’re simply an average team just like Partizan, who is yet to improve their form and start showing the desire for recording wins and good results. I believe the things have drastically changed for them after the derby vs. Zvezda and I expect that to be seen at this match. I’d say that a bet on the home win isn’t even worth considering, and I’d give the guests a chance to surprise and get back home undefeated (void with a 1-goal loss) for some terrific odds. GL.
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Prediction:
Tip: 2 AH (+1)
Odd: 2.20
Bookie: Bet365
Stake: 7 /10
Tipster: Kather
