Drita and FCSB will reconvene for the second leg of their Europa League third round qualifier at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium on Thursday night.
It’s still all to play for ahead of this week’s return match after FCSB claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Romanian capital last Thursday.
While Drita will have been disappointed to have thrown away a two-goal lead last week, they will have taken plenty of positives away from their performance.
That being said, Zekirija Ramadani’s side will have to try and turn this tie around in unfamiliar surroundings, as this clash will take place in Pristina rather than their Gjilan base.
As for FCSB, they were brought back down to earth with a bump at the weekend when losing 1-0 at home to Unirea Slobozia.
That defeat means Elias Charalambous’s men have come away empty-handed from three of their opening five Romanian SuperLiga matches of the season.
How the bookies view it: Visitors to emerge victorious
Following last Thursday’s 3-2 win in Bucharest, the bookmakers expect FCSB to repeat the trick this week, with an away win priced up at 20/21 on Boylesports.
Meanwhile, Drita are 12/5 underdogs on Boylesports while the draw can be backed at 13/5 with the same oddsmaker.
Head to head: Second-ever meeting
It will come as no surprise to learn that the two teams crossed paths for the first time ever last Thursday. With another entertaining encounter anticipated this week, backing both teams to score alongside over 2.5 goals looks a terrific value play at 6/5 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Manaj to make his mark?
Arb Manaj made the net bulge in last week’s first leg, not to mention he netted three goals across his four appearances for Drita in this season’s Champions League qualifiers. With that in mind, the 27-year old forward looks overpriced to notch again here at 11/4 on PaddyPower.
After bagging a brace in last week’s first leg, FCSB forward Daniel Birligea also catches the eye in the anytime goalscorer market at 21/10 with PaddyPower.
Predicted line-ups
Drita have a clean bill of health, so manager Ramadani could stick with the same set of players that pushed FCSB all the way in the Romanian capital last Thursday.
As for the visitors, they will be unable to call upon the services of injured quartet Darius Olaru, Denis Alibec, Joyskim Dawa and Risto Radunovic.
Drita: Maloku; Be Krasniqi, Bejtulai, Broja, Ovouka; Tusha, Dabiqaj, Limaj, Ajzeraj; Bl Krasniqi, Manaj
FCSB: Tarnovanu; Cretu, Graovac, M Popescu, Pantea; Chiriches, Sut, O Popescu; Miculescu, Birligea, Cisotti
Anything else catch the eye?
Considering the state of play heading into this week’s second leg, Drita look well worthy of support to earn a minimum of five corners at 11/10 on Boylesports.
The Kosovan outfit hit four corners in Romania last week, so five or more should be within range here given their greater need to force the issue.
If you want to opt for a more aggressive approach, then the hosts can be backed a 9/4 on Boylesports to cover the over 5.5 flag kick line.
GambleAware