Betting tips for Panionios vs ND Gorica - 13.07.2017

Nea Smyrni of the Greek city of the same name receives on Thursday the match between Panionios and the Slovenian Gorica, corresponding to the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Europa League. The Greeks seek to return to the group stage after 10 years of absence and after being eliminated last season this stage. Meanwhile, the Slovenian team is already playing the first preliminary phase and arrives in a more advanced stage of their preparation, seeking to surprise the local favorites.

The Panionios arrive at this first official party of the season in a very initial phase of its preparation, only with two games played. In the last week they lost to the APOEL (0-1) Cypriot after having beaten Olympiakos (2-1). Those now led by Michalis Grigoriou were fourth for the second consecutive year under Serbian Vladan Milojevic. Nea Smyrni's team are now trying to get into the group stage of the Europa League, something they have not achieved since 2007, after last season having been eliminated precisely at this stage of the competition. Grigoriou has new faces in the squad like the cases of Banana in defense or Gjini in the midfield. In the lead, the team that lost Ansarifard to Olympiakos in January will have Mahmutovic as the most advanced man. Taking into account the importance of securing an advantage in the first leg, it is expected that the Greek coach presents his best eleven, this Thursday.



Europa League ND Gorica travels to the south of Europe after having eliminated Armenia's Shirak (2-0, 2-2) in the first qualifying round of the competition, although the Armenians surprised Slovenia and were close to achieving happen. The team coached by the Slovenian also Miran Srebrnic only made a friendly match in addition to those two with the Shirak, having won the Croatian Istra (3-1). Gorica were third in their league, the best classification since 2009 and will try to return to a group stage of a European competition. Something that has not happened since 2004. Last year, the Balkan team did not go beyond the first qualifying round. For this season, Srebrnic managed to maintain the base of the team last year and has Osuji in the lead and Kapic in the middle field their best players. The Gorica knows the importance of achieving the open qualifier for home, where he will play before his fans and thus should be presented in Greece with his best eleven.


The Panionios is the favorite for the match and the tie for several reasons. He plays in a league of superior quality, has more European experience and has better players. For its part, the Gorica only has on its side the fact of being in an advanced phase of the season. Thus, although the locals will be able to win the match, visitors will likely score and the tie will not be decided this week.

 

Panionios vs ND Gorica Prediction: X/1 5.00

Panionios vs ND Gorica betting tip: Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.80

Panionios vs ND Gorica  final score recommendations: 2-1 10.00