After picking up an odds-against winner in Croatia, Kev’s looking for Europa League success in Rotterdam.
Stam to continue sticky start
Feyenoord v Hapoel Beer Sheva
Thursday 22 August, 18:30
We’re on the scoreboard for the week, after Dinamo Zagreb overcame Rosenborg 2-0 last night. I celebrated with a cake and an episode of The Crystal Maze, but that’s probably an unnecessary detail.
We’ll head to the Netherlands now, because Feyenoord are up against Israeli outfit Hapoel Beer Sheva in the Europa League qualifiers.
Jaap Stam’s Feyenoord have made an underwhelming start to their Eredivisie season, drawing all three of their league games. In home games against Sparta Rotterdam and Utrecht, they have had to come from behind to grab a point.
Hapoel were Israeli champions in 2017 and 2018, although they only managed third place last term. They caused a stir in the Europa League a couple of seasons ago, as they beat Inter Milan home and away in the group stage.
Hapoel have built their recent success on strong defending, conceding just 91 league goals across the last three seasons. They have built up a bank of European experience as a unit, and in these qualifiers they have disposed of Kairat and Norrkoping.
Feyenoord are without Jens Toornstra and Nicolai Jorgensen, and I think they may find it tough to break Hapoel down. I’ll give the visitors a +1.5 goal start on the Asian Handicap.
Source: Betfair Europa League
