FC Ballkani vs Sivasspor prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-12 19:00.
Ballkani’s first-ever win in the group stage of a European competition was well worth the wait, as Ilir Daja’s men recovered from a first-minute deficit and a heart-breaking injury-time equaliser to finally prevail 4-3 at Sivasspor. Ermal Krasniqi refused to give up, putting the Kosovan side top of UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) Group G on goals scored, with that victory now forming part of a five-game winning streak across all competitions.
With all teams on four points, a similar show of character could well see Ballkani drastically shorten the odds of Kosovan representation in any knockout phase for the very first time. Albeit on borrowed turf, home form has proven vital so far, with the Gabriels still unbeaten at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in the UECL (W3, D1) and opening the scoring every time.
Eager to atone for their failure to proceed from a European group just two years ago, Sivasspor have the opportunity to rebound from last week’s shock result, and make it two straight group stage away victories, following a 1-0 victory at Cluj last month. However, that itself is their only UECL clean sheet since the start of August 2021 (W2, D2, L3).
That only compounds any doubts that Sivasspor can avenge the insult of being beaten by the side that entered the group stage with the lowest UEFA coefficient. But a weekend win at the home of fellow UECL participants Basaksehir provided a welcome boost, especially after their three prior Süper Lig away games had all produced ‘nul points’ after a half-time deficit.
Players to watch: Like matchday three hero Krasniqi, Meriton Korenica has scored in Ballkani’s last two group games, and six of his previous seven goals have arrived beyond the hour mark. Mustapha Yatabaré should be more motivated than anyone though, thinking he had salvaged a point on matchday three, to make his last three goals equalisers.
Hot streak: All three of Ballkani’s UECL home wins to date have seen an opposition dismissal.