Dutch club Vitesse to win and progress in Europa League
Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem take two vital away goals into their Europa League second qualifying round second leg match against Romania's Viitorul Constanta on Thursday. The two clubs played out a wild four goal thriller in Romania in the first leg.
Constanta took a shock 2-0 lead 49 minutes into the fixture. However, Vitesse powered their way back into the fixture with a goal from Tim Matavz in the 54th minute and a Bryan Linssen goal in the 72nd minute. The match also saw a sending off as Constanta's Andrei Artean received a straight red card in the 79th minute. Now, the two clubs meet in Arnhem with Vitesse possessing the away goal advantage.
Constanta not only have the Europa League to play, but they recently started their Romanian league campaign. The club is two matches into the season and will play in Liga I just three days before the Europa League tie against Vitesse. Constanta are currently last in the Romanian league. It appears they are putting a lot of stock into the Europa League. The Romanian Liga I season is in its infancy and the club can still overturn its early poor form. However, playing against Vitesse on Thursday may see Constanta's players fatigued.
Constanta already played in the Europa League first qualifying round. They beat Racing FC 2-0 and Constanta's fitness from the first qualifying round nearly helped them knock off the favoured Vitesse. But could it be too many early season games all at once for the Romanians?
Vitesse, on the other hand, will not start the Dutch Eredivisie season until August 12. Leonid Slutsky can worry about his team's progression to the Europa League third qualifying round before the team kicks off the Eredivisie campaign. Vitesse didn't have to play in the first qualifying round. The lack of meaningful games could be a factor in Vitesse's fitness.
Although Vitesse have made great use of their loan arrangement with Chelsea over the last few seasons, only two players are currently available from the English club. Both of those players, defender Jake Clarke-Salter and goalkeeper Eduardo, started the first leg. The duo should be in Slutsky's starting XI for the second leg match. Tim Matavz will be Vitesse's main goal threat. The striker tallied the team's first goal a week ago. The 6ft 2in target man can be a handful on set pieces and will give Vitesse a dangerous element in front of goal.
Vitesse are the sportsbooks' favourites going into the fixture. The Dutch side should see off Constanta with a win and secure a place in the Europa League third qualifying round. Vitesse will then take on either Astana or FC Midyjylland in the next phase.
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