I. Pavlodar – Trakai Prediction & Picks (19.07.2018)

Irtysh and Trakai meet at Ortalıq Stadion, in a return match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (1st Qualifying Round), after a (0-0) draw in the first leg. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since the Trakai presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.

Irtysh:

After the goalless draw outside in the first leg, the home team needs to win at home to achieve the qualification. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses in away matches, with 11 goals scored and 18 conceded; against 6 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses at their stadium, with 20 goals scored and 20 suffered. In the last match that they disputed, for the Premier League, they lost with the Ordabasy at home (1-2). In the last 10 home matches the Irtysh has a record of 4 wins and 6 losses. The team allowed goals to the opponent in 8 of the last 10 matches, so there are defensive processes that need improvement. In 15 games, he suffered the first goal 7 times and never got the comeback.

The Irtysh comes to this match with a defeat against Ordabasy, 1-2, in a match for the Kazakhstan Championship. We remember that the locals add a draw in the first leg of this 1st round of the Europa League. In this as I find the coach Dimitar Dimitrov must play in 5-4-1, privileging the possession of the ball and attacks by the flanks: Popadiuc and Kalinin must play for the wings of the team. To remember that the Irtysh presents competition in the air game and defensive recovery. Apparently, there are no absences for this game back.

Trakai:

The away team comes to this second leg after a goalless draw with the advantage of not having suffered goals at home in the first leg. This is a team that, oddly enough, was better outside than at home, as in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses in away matches; against 6 victories, 4 draws and 5 defeats in his stadium. In the last 10 away matches Trakai has won 3, tied 4 and lost 3.

The Trakai, a team from Lithuania, comes to this second leg with a scoreless draw against Irtysh, adding the third straight game without losing in official games. We remember that this club had to go through the preliminary round of the Europa League, having overtaken the Cefn with a win in the second leg. In this game away from home coach Kibu Vicuña should act in his usual tactical system, privileging a medium or low block and counterattacks, thus exploring the space in the back of the opponent’s defense. Bilyaletdinov is the most important player in the Trakai’s style of play, having a great technical and tactical quality. For this game the coach can count on all his players.