Sports Blog 02/08/2018: UEFA Europa League Preview – 2nd Qualifying Round 2nd Legs, Thursday 2nd August 2018

It’s a busy night for Brits in the Europa League, as a trio of Scottish sides, alongside one unlikely English team, try and get through to the next round of qualifying.

Looking to reach a European competition proper for the first time since 1960/61, Burnley host Aberdeen at 7.45pm on BT Sport 1. Having conceded a 19 minute penalty, converted by Gary Mackay-Steven, the Clarets left it pretty late to equalise, requiring an 80th minute strike from Sam Vokes to draw level. That does put Burnley in the driving seat, however, with a goalless draw enough to put them through to the 3rd round of qualifying.



The main story going into the 2nd leg is Burnley’s lack of options in goal. Nick Pope came off injured in Scotland, while replacement Anders Lindegaard has a slight thigh injury and no. 1 Tom Heaton is a doubt. The club is potentially looking for special dispensation from UEFA to register Adam Legzdins, who wasn’t originally named in the European squad. Still, last season’s Premier League over-achievers shouldn’t have too much to worry about, with Spreadex offering a Burnley/Aberdeen Goal Supremacy spread of 0.95-1.15 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.35-2.55.

Elsewhere Hibernian will be hoping for a less panicky 2nd leg against Asteras Tripolis, at 7pm on Premier Sports 2. Within 35 minutes Hibs were 2-0 down at home, a brace from Georgios Kyriakopoulous giving the Greek side a commanding lead. Yet the Scots mounted a comeback in after the hour mark; goals from Efe Ambrose Boyle and David Gray made it 2-2 with 13 minutes to go, before Florian Kamberi gave Hibs the win in stoppage time. They may get into trouble in Tripoli, however, with Spreadex offering an Asteras/Hibernian Goal Supremacy spread of 0.45-0.65 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.65-2.85.

Finally, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers have a slender lead over NK Osijek to protect, at 7.45pm on Premier Sports 1. Gerrard’s first competitive game in charge came in the previous round, with a 2-0 home victory over Shkupi followed by a goalless draw in Macedonia. Last week then saw the Gers pick up a 1-0 win in Croatia, Colombia youngster Alfredo Morelos scoring after 18 minutes. Ibrox’s finest should be safe, with Spreadex offering a Rangers/NK Osijek Goal Supremacy spread of 0.3-0.5 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.2-2.4.