A second division side still dreaming of the group stage

Wisla Krakow already have one and a half legs in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Thanks to the 2:0 first-leg win against Kosovan runners-up KF Llapi, the Polish second-division club has secured a fairly comfortable starting position. However, the upcoming second leg will not be a walkover, because unlike a week ago, when over 24,000 spectators carried the Vistula city team to victory in their own stadium, this time the reigning cup winners will have to play away from home. Consequently, betting on a win for the visitors between Llapi and Wisla Krakow carries a high risk

In particular, of course, in view of the fact that coach Kazimierz Moskal’s team are no longer forced to play for victory after the aforementioned 2-0 win in the first leg. Instead, the favorites from southern Poland can concentrate on working against the ball and making pinpricks through transitional play. There are therefore many indications that Llapi’s prediction of under-goals will once again come true in the clash between Llapi and Wisla Krakow. The longer the match goes on, the more the home side will be under pressure

Because the three-way market between Llapi and Wisla Krakow offers lower odds on the away win, but the Kosovars already put up a good fight a week ago, the value seems to be found in a bet on a different outcome. The X after 90 minutes, for example, delivers a 3.30 at Sunmaker. As a new customer, you also have the opportunity to claim an attractive Sunmaker bonus

Llapi – Statistics & current form

The club Futbollistik Llapi Podujevë definitely does not have a big name on the European soccer scene. Even at national level, the blue and whites have only won two major titles so far. After winning the cup in 2021 and 2022, they finished runners-up in the previous season. Llapi were only beaten by two-time Conference League group stage participants KF Ballkani after 36 matchdays

Is Llapi finally taking the blinkers off on the European stage?

About the Conference League: The club from Podujevë has also already gained experience in this competition thanks to the aforementioned cup wins. However, KF Llapi failed in the first qualifying round in 2021/22 and 2022/23. Both times, the first leg was lost away from home, before the Kosovars managed to draw the second leg in front of a home crowd. If you believe in a duplication of events, you can dust off odds of up to 3.30 at the top on Thursday evening in the run-up to the Llapi v Wisla Krakow match for a prediction of another draw.

The fact that coach Tahir Batatina’s charges are still aiming to progress can be viewed critically in several respects, as the Blue & Whites are still waiting for their first win after a total of five European Cup matches. At the same time, they have not conceded more than two goals in any match. FK Llapi can certainly hold their own at (third-tier) international level, but have so far been unable to show any efficiency.
After the 2-0 defeat a week ago, the Kosovan runners-up must now score at least two goals of their own. This is likely to prove extremely difficult against a compact Polish defense. Especially in view of the fact that Batatina’s team lost by far their most important attacking player this summer. Muhamet Hyseni left Podujevë for AC Horsens in Denmark. With 32 scoring points in 34 league games in 2023/24 (26 goals, six assists), the Kosovan international’s departure cannot be compensated for in the same way.

Predicted line-up from Llapi:
Avdyli; Rama, Ahmeti, Krasniqi; Vokrri, Musolli, Blakcori, Namani, Bytyqi; Januzi, Berisha

Wisla Krakow – statistics & current form

In the 2024/25 European Cup season, there are two teams in the Europa League that do not play in the top flight at home, but only in the second division. One of them is Wisla Krakow. The traditional club from the city on the Vistula will start its third consecutive year in the second division next weekend. Despite finishing tenth in the final standings last season, those responsible are hoping to return to the top flight this season. Everything is subordinated to this goal.

Nevertheless, there are of course financial and sporting incentives to be successful at international level. Just how seriously the 13-time national champions (most recently in 2011) take their duties in the Europa League became clear the previous week, when 24,000 spectators made their way to the Henryk Reyman Stadium. Although there is still a long way to go to reach the group stage, the euphoria is unbroken. No wonder, as the sensational cup victory in the past season has definitely earned the team from Krakow one or two upcoming highlight games

The approach at Wisla Krakow has changed with the change of coach

First of all, however, there is the mandatory task in Kosovo on Thursday evening. The risk of failure is certainly limited. The Llapi v Wisla Krakow betting odds for progression, which speak a very clear language in favor of the visitors, also prove this. Should the home side from south-eastern Europe actually turn things around, they could pick up 7.70 as the highest odds in the Betano app

However, it was clear from the first leg a week ago that new coach Kazimierz Moskal places much greater emphasis on defensive work than his young, Spanish predecessor Albert Rude. Llapi only managed two shots on goal in 90 minutes. Although the Red, White and Blue did not put on an offensive festival themselves, the quality of the chances was much higher. For the second leg on Thursday evening, it can be assumed that the second division team will focus on a compact defense and “let the hosts do it”. We don’t expect Krakow to score more than one goal away from home. However, they won’t need to score more of their own goals to secure their ticket to the second qualifying round.

Predicted line-up of Wisla Krakow:
Chichkan; Jaroch, Uryga, Colley, Mikulec; Sapala, Carbo; Baena, Gogol, Sukiennicki; Rodado

Llapi – Wisla Krakow head-to-head comparison / H2H result

In the first leg a week ago, the teams faced each other for the first time in a competitive match. Igor Sapala gave the Poles an early lead after just two minutes and they then went into administration mode, not taking any great risks with the ball and only making it 2-0 in stoppage time through Angel Rodado. Llapi coach Batatina was shown a red card in the 97th minute, meaning he will have to sit in the stands for the second leg on Thursday evening

Llapi – Wisla Krakow betting tip

Without their own head coach, the underdogs from Kosovo must turn things around in front of their home crowd. However, the likelihood of this happening is not particularly high. In addition to the relatively reassuring starting position after the 2-0 win, the fact that the team from Vistula start their league campaign next weekend also speaks in favor of the second division team, who should therefore have an advantage in terms of competitive toughness and agility.

This is one of the reasons why lower odds are being offered between Llapi and Wisla Krakow on the traditional club and 13-time Polish national champions. However, we would be cautious with a bet on the away win and argue that the teams are on an equal footing in terms of quality, the Kosovars benefit from home advantage this time and Wisla Krakow no longer necessarily have to win

Because it is not an easy task to find a suitable bet for this second leg, we are leaning towards the classic bet on a draw between Llapi and Wisla Krakow. We have found 3.30 as the top odds for the X after regular time. We play this with three units and also point out that there are still many free bets without deposit even after the European Championship in Germany. These may even motivate you to bet on a surprise coup in this match…