Europa League Treble: Hajduk Split to reign in Dundalk

Hajduk Split have a solid record in this part of the Europa League

Last week's offering delivered at over 5/1; will the second qualifying round first legs prove as fertile punting ground?

FK Atlantas v Shakhter Karagandy
Thursday, 17:00
Back Shakhter Karagandy to win @ 1.875/6

After the delightful impression that they left last term when beating BATE Borisov home and away and triumphing over Celtic, surely nobody would begrudge Shakhter Karagandy a chance to prove themselves a consistent July and August force rather than the one-season wonders many suspected?

The early signs are promising as they comfortably disposed of Armenian side Shirak 6-1 on aggregate in the previous round, setting the tone with a first-leg road win. Prior to Atlantas' late passage past ten-man Differdange, the Lithuanians had lost eight of their nine Europa League encounters.

Botev Plovdiv v St Polten
Thursday, 17:45
Back Botev Plovdiv to win @ 1.695/7

Bulgaria made a Europa League splash last season courtesy of Ludogorets' charge into the last 16 at the PSV and Lazio's expense. Botev Plovdiv made some progress lower down the food chain, clearing two rounds of qualifiers before an unfortunate away-goals exit following two draws with Stuttgart.

They won two of their three home games on that adventure and their first of this campaign against Libertas, the combined score over those six hours of football totting up to 12-1 in their favour, and another victory should arise from this clash with competition newcomers St Polten of Austria.

Dundalk v Hajduk Split
Thursday, 19:45
Back Hajduk Split to win @ 2.486/4

Dundalk earned their way into this tie with a 5-1 aggregate breeze through the last round, but their opponents were Luxembourger Euro-defeat-magnets Jeunesse Esch. Prior to that, the Lilywhites had suffered 15 continental losses in 18, their sole win coming against Grevenmacher, also of Luxembourg.

Hajduk Split are markedly superior to the likes of Jeunesse and Grevenmacher both in terms of European experience and pedigree. They were in the group stage four years ago and have survived this second preliminary round on the two previous occasions that they entered this early.

A 10 treble provides a 53.20 profit if successful