For many years, FC Basel secured important points in the UEFA five-year ranking with strong performances on the international stage for Switzerland. In the recent past, however, not only have the FCB gala evenings been absent, but Swiss football in general is lagging behind.
The Super League teams are challenged and must finally convince again. Two Swiss teams are represented in the third qualifying round of the Europa League. Among other things, Vice-Master St. Gallen AEK Athens receives from Greece.
The promoted player for the play-off games is determined in just one match. The game is not only of interest to Swiss football fans, but also to fans of VFL Wolfsburg. The winner of this duel will meet the wolves, insofar as they live up to their favorite role on Thursday.
A number of qualifying games are on the program on Thursday in the Europa League, in our Europa League category, a large number of the games are carefully examined and a betting recommendation is provided.
FC St. Gallen:
With attractive offensive football, the championship was almost in view in Eastern Switzerland last season. Espen fans were allowed to dream of a sensational title for a long time, but in the end the Zeidler team ran out of steam and St. Gallen had to be satisfied with the runner-up championship.
Successes and outstanding performances do not go unnoticed and accordingly it was not surprising that the Swiss had to record some serious departures this summer. Especially the strikers Cedric Itten and Ermedin Demirovic as well as captain Silvan Hefti left a big gap.
It will not be possible to compensate for the departures straight away, but head coach Peter Zeidler is positive about the future and is convinced that the team will continue to present attractive and, above all, successful football in 2020/21.
Just 48 days after the last league game in 2019/20, the kick-off for the new season sounded. The newly formed Espen team started with a sense of achievement and celebrated a 1-0 victory against FC Sion. The goal scorer was not an offensive player, but central defender Betim Fazliji.
After the FCSG revealed defensive problems in the most recent test matches (twelve goals conceded in three games), the team was very safe and was able to recharge their batteries with the “zero” confidence.
AEK Athens:
The traditional Greek club was third in a row for the second time in a row under the leadership of head coach Massimo Carrera in the past 2019/20 season. The Europa League qualification is on the program again. A year ago, the Greeks failed due to the away goals rule against the Turkish representative Trabzonspor.
The elimination due to a surprising 1: 3 home defeat was not necessarily to be expected. Above all, AEK Athens is basically at least one class stronger in the home stadium. This can also be proven by looking at the statistics.
Like the Swiss, AEK Athens has played one game in the new season so far. After the opening game against double winner Olympiacos Piraeus was postponed, the Carrera-Elf started with a week delay. In the away game at Panetolikos, a deserved 2-0 win was achieved thanks to a clarified performance.
In contrast to the aspens, there are some experienced players in the squad at AEK Athens. Players like Dmytro Chygrynskyi, Karim Ansarifard, Nenad Krsticic or Petros Mantalos have a lot of international experience. Certainly one reason why the best bookmakers between St. Gallen and AEK Athens describe the tip on the guests as the most likely outcome
