The newly created UEFA Europa Conference League offers a mammoth programme in the first qualifying round. Over the entire qualifying period, no fewer than 138 teams are represented and are fighting for a place in the group stage. A total of 36 knockout matches will be played in the first qualifying round, one of which is the clash between Slask Wroclaw and Paide.
The nationality of the home side, Poland, is probably still clear to most football fans, but when it comes to the nationality of the guests, only the experts will probably get a hit. Paide are a team from Estonia, who were only narrowly beaten 1:2 in the first leg.
Nevertheless, it would be a big surprise for the underdogs to advance. For the second leg, the best bookmakers are offering odds of 1.20 for a home win between Slask Wroclaw and Paide on Thursday evening. A win for the visitors, however, attracts more than ten times the bet. The match at the Miejski Stadium kicks off at 9 pm on Thursday.
Prediction & Live Odds for Slask Wroclaw vs. Paide Linnameeskond
The third UEFA competition is supposed to be a big incentive for small nations as well. However, the consequence of this is that in some matches there is an extreme disparity in performance. Undoubtedly such a match is the game between Slask Wroclaw and Paide, where no lucrative odds are offered on the favourite.
In Estonia, the outsiders sniffed at a sensation and only conceded a goal in the last minute of the match to lose 1:2. In Poland, however, it will be a different game. The home side will demonstrate their home strength and dictate the game from the first minute.
A clear home victory would not be surprising, even in view of the weak form of the visitors. A very lucrative bet on Slask Wroclaw against Paide is a home win with a handicap of 0:2.
Slask Wroclaw – Statistics & current form
Wroclaw is an absolute tongue twister for us German speakers, the city is also often called “Breslau” in Germany. The football club based there has a long tradition and played internationally for the first time in the 1975/76 season. The 70s included the first championship title (1976/77). Fans then had to wait until 2012 before the second Polish championship was achieved.
Internationals for the first time since 2015/16
Before this season, the last time the Poles were represented on the international stage was in the 2015/16 season, when they were beaten by Swedish representatives IFK Göteborg in the second Europa League qualifying round.
After a very good autumn 2020, things did not go according to plan in spring 2021 and head coach Viteszlav Lavicka had to vacate his chair after just one win from eight games. The 44-year-old Jaceck Magiera took over and led Slask Wroclaw to fourth place in the Ekstraklasa with a passable finish, thus securing their return to Europe.
Only one home defeat in 15 games
In particular, the performance at home in the Miejski Stadium, which was built for the 2012 European Championship, was a decisive point for the best season in many years. Only one home match, against champions Legia Warsaw, was lost. In the 14 remaining matches, seven victories were achieved and seven games ended in a draw.
However, an average of 1.87 points per home match was a much better value than the average of 1.00 points per away match. The Poles are therefore clearly stronger at home. Therefore, the prediction of a clear handicap victory for the home side between Slask Wroclaw and Paide is quite reasonable.
Predicted line-up of Slask Wroclaw:
Szromnik – Tamas, Golla, Lewkot – Stiglec, Praszelik, Maczynski, Janasik – Pich, Sobota – Bergier
Paide Linnameeskond – Statistics & Current Form
The newly created UEFA Europa Conference League is supposed to be a way for teams from smaller nations to attract attention. Such a team is definitely Paide Linnameeskond, the full name of the club founded in 1990. The home ground of Paide deserves a special mention, because the Linnastaadion has a capacity of just 768 spectators, which was only recently increased, because not so long ago only 268 people could attend Paide’s matches.
Only represented internationally for the second time
A year ago, the club from the city of just under 11,000 inhabitants was represented internationally for the first time, but lost this game against Zalgiris with 0:2. One year later, the international appearance will last two games, because in contrast to the previous year, there will be a return match in 2021/22.
Although the away goals rule has been abolished, a surprising progress of the underdogs seems out of the question. Especially since the Estonians have been struggling with major form problems in recent weeks. After Paide had 25 out of a possible 27 points after nine league games, they managed to pick up only nine points in the last seven games. The Estonians will not be full of self-confidence and due to the enormous difference in quality, the prediction on the home side is the logical choice in the duel Slask Wroclaw vs. Paide.
Ex-Liverpool player joins Paide
For a few weeks now, the squad of the underdogs has included the best Estonian footballer of all time. Ragnar Klavan, known to German football fans because of his involvement with Augsburg, moved back to his homeland at the beginning of July. After his time at FCA, the defensive player even spent two years at Anfield Road for Liverpool FC.
Speaking of Liverpool – Paide is home to another player who is mentioned in the same breath as the big Reds. Matrix Einer, just 17, has been linked not only with Liverpool but also Bayern, Ajax and Derby County in recent days. So far, however, the youngster has only made one brief appearance for the professionals.
Paide’s likely line-up:
Aksalu – Saliste, Klavan, Konda, Ojamaa – Mööl, Yusif, Frolov – Luts, Anier, Tur