Europe Europa League Round 2

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Liverpool vs Union SG Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Liverpool:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Jones; Doak, Nunez, Jota

Union SG:
Morris; Mac Allister, Burgess, Leysen; Castro-Montes, Sadiki, Vanhoutte, Lapoussin; Amani, Nilsson, Puertas

Liverpool welcome the Belgian side Union SG to Anfield for a Europa League clash on Thursday night. The Reds are currently first in Group E after beating LASK Linz in the opening round, while Union played out an 1:1 draw with Toulouse. Liverpool are big favorites in this match, but the atmosphere in the club isn't at desired level. Jurgen Klopp's men have suffered a painful defeat to Tottenham last weekend. Not because they played poor, but because of HUGE referee's mistake. Luis Diaz scored the first goal, but the initial decision was offside and the goal was disallowed. However, the replays showed he was actually onside. Nevertheless, the referee Simon Hooper and VAR referee Daren England didn't react according to the protocols and the match continued with offside as a final decision. On top of that, Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were sent-off and Liverpool lost the match. In addition, Cody Gakpo sustained a knee injury and he will be out at least two weeks. Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are also sidelined. Klopp is expected to make lot of changes in the starting eleven, so Caoimhin Kelleher, Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endo, Harwey Elliott and Ben Doak could receive chance to impress. Trent Alexander-Arnold has just recovered from a hamstring injury and need playing time.

Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, abbreviated to Union SG, USG or Union, are between the most successful clubs in the history of Belgian football. They won eleven Belgian championships between 1904 and 1935, but fell into decline after relegation from the First Division in 1973. The club were traditionally popular with working class communities of southern Brussels. On 13 March 2021, after defeating local rivals Molenbeek, Union SG were promoted back to the Belgian First Division A, marking its first appearance in top-flight football in 48 years. The following year, they finished top of the table at the end of the regular season, the first club in Belgian history to do so the season after promotion to the top flight. Union would go on to finish second in the champions play off, securing Champions League qualification for the first time ever in club history, and after being eliminated in the third qualifying round, reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League. They will try to secure the knock-out phase once again this year, even dropped two points in the first round. Union played an 1:1 home draw with Toulouse, with Mohamed Amoura scoring his fourth goal in three games. The players confidence is high as they won the last three matches. Union SG beat Cercle Brugge, Molenbeek and Charleroi, scoring 8 goals in the process. Coach Alexander Blessin has almost all players available, only the striker Dennis Eckert Ayensa is rated as doubtful. The Spaniard has scores seven goals in eight appearances so far this season and he is definitely a player that makes a difference. And one interesting info, Boca Juniors loanee Kevin Mac Allister is expecting to start in defense. He is the brother of Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.

Liverpool vs Union SG Prediction:

I expect an efficient match at Anfield. Liverpool will probably start with Darwin Nunez in attack and he love this competition. The Uruguay international has been directly involved in eight goals (scored six and assisted two) in as many Europa League games. Diogo Jota is also expected to start due to his domestic suspension, so Klopp will have enough attacking power. Union SG are in good form, they won the last three matches and the players confidence is high. Considering these facts, I expect at least four goals at Anfield.

Liverpool vs Union SG Pick: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.00 with Pinnacle

 

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Roma vs Servette Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Roma:
Svilar; Ndicka, Cristante, Mancini; Kristensen, Pellegrini, Aouar, Spinazzola; El Shaaraway, Lukaku, Zalewski

Servette:
Mall; Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Onguene, Mazikou; Stevanovic, Cognat, Antunes, Douline; Guillemenot, Bedia

Roma have started their Europa League campaign with a 2:1 away win against Sheriff Tiraspol. The Italian side are sharing the first place in Group G with Slavia Prague, while Servette and Sheriff are pointless. However, there are five more rounds to be played and nothing is decided yet. The Giallorossi didn't start the season according to the expectations. They have collect eight points from the first seven rounds and that's among their worst starts in the new millennium. Coach Jose Mourinho is feeling a big pressure, however the Friedkin brothers are still supporting him. Mourinho won the Europa Conference League in 2022 and reached the final of Europa League this season and couldn't be sacked so simple. Plus, there are some positive sights - Roma managed to beat Frosinone 2:0 on Sunday. The players gave the maximum on that match, so Mourinho is forced to rest some of them. Renato Sanches picked up an injury and he will skip this match. The situation in the defense look critical, with Chris Smalling, Diego Llorente and Marash Kumbulla all missing. Striker Tammy Abraham is also sidelined as he rehabilitates from ACL surgery.

Servette lost 2:0 to Slavia Prague in the first round and another defeat will probably complicate their chances of reaching the knock-out stage. But obtaining a positive result at Stadio Olimpico is 'all but easy'. Not because Roma are too strong, but because Servette have just one win in their last six away matches in the European competitions. Furthermore, the Swiss club are between the European group stage debutantes and it seems some of the players are tired due to the busy schedule. But there is a positive moment as Servette ended an eight-match winless run during the weekend. They managed to beat Lausanne with 2:1 and the atmosphere in the squad is better now. Lausanne had one-goal advantage after the first half, but Miroslav Stevanovic and Dereck Kutesa turned out the result. Rene Weiler has two injured players as Alexander Lyng and Theo Magnin are sidelined. Key player Stevanovic is ready and many things depend from his inspiration. He is in excellent form having scored in the last two matches.

Roma vs Servette Prediction:

Roma have just three wins from their opening eight matches across all competitions and the fans are not satisfy. It is very hard for them to swallow some of the defeats, like that one against Genoa (1:4). The injury situation is also a problem, particularly in defense. Diego Llorente is the latest injury victim. With Smalling and Kumbulla already sidelined, this is a big problem for Mourinho. Servette are solid side and I don't see them losing high.

Roma vs Servette Pick: Servette +2.5 AH @ 1.60 with Pinnacle