02.08.2018. (18:00) - Slavia Sofia - Hajduk Split

[Archibald]

I haven't seen 1st game, I don't know anything about Slavia, but I'm sure that 5,20 on HW here represents huge value at the moment, and that must be taken at least for small stake. Why ?

Because it is even hard to describe in how deep sh_t is Hajduk at the moment! They have terrible atmophere around the club, they have lost their best players from last season without any notable arrivements in the same time and they have big injury problems at the moment.

After the end of last season Hajduk have lost their both goalkeepers which was terrible blow for them because their 1st GK Letica is huge prospect, and he didn't want to sign new contract with club. Because of that Hajduk have transfered 2 GK's in, Posavec from Palermo, and Duka from romanian Cluj. However, they are both out for this game because Posavec have suffered Muscle injury during 1st game in Sofia, and Duka have broken his hand during 1st round match against Osijek in croatian league. So, in this game Hajduk will play with 3rd goalkeeper, totaly unexpirienced 20 years old Ljubic from their B team.

Furthermore,few days ago Hajduk have sold their best midfielder Radosevic to Brondby which is another big blow for them because thay don't have another such good player in midfield, not even close good to him.

Next problem will be absence of their captain Nizic who is playing as central defender. He was also injured in league game against Osijek just like GK Duka, and won't be on disposition for this game. That is ofcourse big blow for Hajduk because all other defenders in Hajduk team are more than average players (Borja Lopez is big joke, he is guilt for all 4 goals that Hajduk have recieved against Osijek last weekend).

Finally, Hajduk don't have their best striker and player Futacs who rejects to play for the club anymore because he was attacked by hooligans in the street before end of last season.

Club don't have money, club management is poor and full of idiots, their fans are traditionally idiots and they are making huge pressure on players, they insulting players after every bad game, etc....

Last weekend I was on stadium during game Osijek - Hajduk, and Hajduk have lost this game 4:1, but believe me they have avoid much bigger dissaster because game could easily finished much more terribly for them because Osijek have missed 4 or 5 great chances more and Hajduk can be happy with "just" 1:4.


Hajduk have very mediocre team even for croatian league (Dinamo, Rijeka and Osijek are 2 levels above them in everything, and I would say that Lokomotiva is also much better team than Hajduk at the moment). At the moment Hajduk is maybe team for 5.-8. place in croatian league, full of overpricing players such as Caktas, Borja Lopez, Formitschow, Tudow, IVanovski etc. They have two really good players in Gyurcso and Said, but it seems that both of them are out of form currently.


As I said I don't know anything about bulgarian team, but as a follower of croatian league and football i can clearly say that Hajduk is in deep sh_t at the moment in every aspect.

Value is definitively on HW here


PICK: Home win @ 5,20

[ChristopherBG]

Indeed, at the current odds (4.75 - 3.75 - 1.70, bet365) the value is definitely on the home team.

Hajduk's first two matches of the season have confirmed my suspicion that the team is somewhat weaker that at the same stage last season. Sold players have not been replaced by such of the same class. Moreover, the club seems focused on off-the-pitch events such as trying to get rid of its highest paid players (esp. Futacs and Memolla), some of which have been sent to train with the reserve team.

In addition to that, Hajduk face problems with injuries. The biggest miss for the game in Sofia will be captain (and most important defender, IMHO) Nizic. The two main goalkeepers are both injured and 20-year old Ljubic is expected to start at the goal in Sofia. On the other hand, defender Ismajli will be available for the match after having spent time with the reserve team.

Over the weekend Slavia recorded a nice 4-2 away win at Lokomotiv Plovdiv and the team seems to be in form and without major missings for the game with Hajduk. Only defender Alexandrov is unavailable after receiving a red card on Poljud. Despite all the problems, I still rate Hajduk as better than Slavia. As mentioned in thread for the first match, Slavia count mainly on young boys and the team is much happier when it has to defend.

For me, the most important factor in the game will be Hajduk's lead of 1-0 that will allow the visitors to sit back and wait for Slavia to come up with something. I would expect Slavia to be cautious as well because if they concede a goal that would make their task enormous. Slavia coach Zagorcic has talked to the media about putting the pressure on the visitors, the importance of scoring an early goal, etc., but he knows his team and is aware that playing too openly carries a lot of risks. In his team's most important games he has not hesitated to play with 10 men behind the ball.

Experience will also be on Hajduk's side. Unlike Slavia, the Split team plays in Europe every season and knows how to play for a result. I expect Hajduk to qualify, but at the current odds my betting suggestions would be:

Slavia +0.5 AH @2.10, bet365
or if you want to play it safe Slavia +1 AH @1.60 (great combo material IMHO)

P.S. Can't wait for this game to pass so that I can book my ticket for Hajduk - Steaua on 09.08