The New Saints vs Zilina Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 25/08/2019, 00:28  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 25/08/2020 at 00:33 in Europa League Predictions

The 2020/21 UEFA Europa League season is well underway and among the first qualifying round clashes on the cards, The New Saints will be hosting Slovak side, Zilina this Thursday. The New Saints, from Wales, have not been very active in recent months. They last played competitively in March, and this will be the first game for them post lockdown. Before lockdown, the Saints had gone on a shaky run, winning just one of their last five matches, and with no clean sheet in the five games, they will hope for a better defence. It is however worth noting that in their last 15 matches, they failed to score in just one. Last year, Saints exited the competition early, after straight losses to Ludogorets, the two-legged tie ending 9-0 on aggregate. It stretched their winless run in the competition to five matches, and they have now lost all their last four, conceding two goals or more. Their last eight Europa League matches have produced six losses and only one win, which should be a concern. The biggest concern though, should be in the fact that they have just one win in 11 Europa League home matches.

Unlike The New Saints, it has been an active summer for MK Zilina, who resumed league action in June and are now into the new season. MK Zilina has also been playing friendly matches and we can bet they will be more match-fit here. In their last five competitive matches, Zilina have three wins and their last two wins came away from home, which gives them confidence going to this clash. Three of their last four matches have been away from home so they will be fine as they resume Europa League action after a five-year absence. The last time they took part in the Europa League, they lost to Spanish side Athletic Club on the away goal rule after a 3-3 aggregate draw. They may not have played in the competition as much as the Saints in recent times, but Zilina have enjoyed better times; they have six wins and three losses in their last 10 Europa League matches. They have two wins in their last four Europa League away matches but have just one clean sheet in their last nine away games in the competition.