Hibernian – NSI Runavik Prediction & Picks (12.07.2018)

Hibernian and NSÍ meet at Easter Road Stadium, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (1st Qualifying Round). These two teams have never faced each other before, so this will be their first direct confrontation. In this match the home factor may be decisive, since the NSÍ presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.

Hibernian:

The home team will make its debut in this edition of the UEFA Europa League with the intention of conquering a positive result, taking advantage of the home factor. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 6 draws and 4 losses in away matches, with 19 goals scored and 14 conceded; against 8 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses at their stadium, with 31 goals scored and 24 conceded. In the last match they played, for the Friendlies, they lost to Blackburn Rovers at home (0-2). Hibernian has won 7, tied 1 and lost 2 of the last 10 home matches. They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 24 of the last 26 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals and 19 out of the last 26 there were Over 2,5 goals.

The Hibernian reaches this first phase of the Europa League after having won the fourth position of the Scottish championship. To remember that the Scots are no longer competing in the Europa League qualifiers since the 2016/2017 season. In this first match against the NSI, coach Neil Lennon will have to play in the usual 4-4-2 favoring possession of the ball and organized attacks, mainly through the flanks: Florian Kamberi is a very fast and strong player in the transport of the ball to the attack. For this game the coach can count on all his players.

NSI Runavik:

The visiting team will make its debut in this edition of the UEFA Europa League with the intention of conquering a positive result, taking advantage of the home factor. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 20 matches they register 10 losses as a visitor, with 3 goals scored and 32 conceded; against 2 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses at their stadium, with 6 goals scored and 21 conceded. In their last match, for the UEFA Europa League, they lost to Dinamo Minsk at home (0-2).

The formation of NSI Runavik reaches this stage of the Europa League after having conquered the Faroe Islands Cup. In the previous season, the visitors had already played this tie in the Europa League, but were eliminated by Dynamo Minsk. In this game away from home coach Samal Erik Hentze must act in the usual tactical system, privileging the defensive organization and counterattacks, especially through the flanks. Despite the quality in the passing game, the outsiders present serious gaps in the defensive transition and defensive set pieces. Apparently, there are no major absences for this game.