Lille vs Sturm Graz prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-03-13 20:00.
[p]Lille are on the cusp of their first-ever European quarter-final following an impressive 3-0 victory at Sturm Graz last Thursday and will be hugely confident that they can get the job done at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, especially when you consider that they have lost only one of their last eight continental matches there (W5, D2).[/p]
[p]Following a come-from-behind draw 2-2 against Rennes on Sunday, Lille are actually unbeaten in 12 competitive games on home soil, form that has kept them firmly in the mix for Champions League qualification in Ligue 1. That should mean progression to the quarter finals of the Europa Conference League should be a formality, especially as no side in the brief history of the competition has squandered a three-goal first-leg lead, while Lille have never lost a home European tie in their history by any scoreline that would see them exit here.Ā [/p]
[p]This is the furthest that Sturm have ever got in a modern European format, although that run is odds-on to end here, especially as they have lost all three previous away games against French opponents. Die Schwoazn have also won just two of their last 12 continental encounters on their travels (D2, L8), so you would forgive their supporters if they chose to save their money for what is set to be a gripping finale to the Austrian Bundesliga season, as their team sits only four points behind leaders Red Bull Salzburg.Ā [/p]
[p]Nevertheless, Christian Ilzerās side have kept two clean sheets in their last three European games on the road, so will be optimistic about producing another solid defensive performance. As a consequence though, donāt expect too much excitement early on in this contest, as none of Sturmās last four continental away trips have seen more than one goal scored in the first half.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Angel Gomes got an assist in the first leg and his last six goal involvements have come in games with an aggregate score of 28-0. At the opposite end of the field will be Arsenal loanee Mika Biereth, who has hit the ground running with five goals in nine matches for Sturm since joining in January – two of which have been netted in the first ten minutes.Ā [/p]
[p]Hot stat: All but one of Lilleās previous 12 unbeaten home encounters across all competitions saw at least two goals scored.Ā [/p]