Stjarnan Gardabae vs Espanyol Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 30/07/2019, 13:08  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 30/07/2019 at 14:08 in Europa League Prediction

Stjarnan are really up against it after a 4-0 loss in the first leg of this Europa League second qualifying round tie. They had a hard enough time getting through the first qualifying round where they took on FCI Levadia. Stjarnan won the first leg 2-1 but the second leg went into extra time and Levadia led 3-1 before a 122nd minute goal saw the Icelandic team through on away goals. It wasn't anywhere near as close in the first leg of this second qualifying round tie. Not that it looked as if it was going to be that way.  The score was 0-0 at half time but then the Spanish side hit four goals in 19 second half minutes to take a commanding advantage, Stjarnan are fourth in the Icelandic league but have no wins in their last four games in all competitions. Their best run in the Europa League was in the 2014/15 season when making it to the play-off round before losing 9-0 on aggregate to Inter Milan.

Espanyol qualified for this competition by finishing seventh in La Liga last season. They are unbeaten in their last 13 games and scored 15 goals in their last four games with three wins and a draw. Away from home, Espanyol have gone seven games unbeaten since a defeat at Barcelona. They have only lost one of their last nine away games in the Europa League. This should be another victory and you can back Espanyol to win and be leading at both half and full time.