Europa Conference League 3rd qualifying round, first leg, Thursday, 08.08.2024 at 19:00
It will be difficult for Zurich to repeat the success of three years ago under Andre Breitenreiter. However, it is shaping up to be a season that their own fans will remember fondly.
In my FC Zurich Guimaraes betting tip, we will explore whether the Sky Blues are ready for the play-off phase of the Conference League after last weekend’s Super League thriller.
Of course, you’ll also get one or two recommendations from me, which you can put to the test by using the Bet-at-home voucher from the provider of the same name.
A good first leg result is important for the hosts, however, so that they can start the subsequent trip to Portugal without any pressure…
After the Zurich side knocked out an Irish club and Vitoria SC showed up a Maltese first division side, the day of the first big test of the 2024/25 European Cup season approaches for both on Thursday.
In my FC Zurich Guimaraes betting tip, I’m predicting that if the Sky Blues don’t win the first leg, they’re unlikely to progress.
In my opinion, and surprisingly also that of most sports betting providers, the “Conquistadores” have enough to at least reach the play-off phase of the Conference League
The oddsmakers’ forecast?
The FC Zurich Guimaraes odds from the German bookmakers may surprise some of you.
This is because the Zurich odds are around 2.25. That the Swiss are indeed favored, but not quite as clearly as one might have assumed at first glance.
A draw, on the other hand, which I also think is likely, is rewarded with odds of around 3.05. Incidentally, this is just a tick below the level of 3.20 that a win for the visitors would attract
Analysis: FC Zurich vs Guimaraes
FC Zurich have had a new coach since April 22, who seems to be ushering in a rather successful chapter in the club’s history.
Under Ricardo Moniz, the Himmelblauen have lost just one of their ten competitive matches (7 wins, 2 draws).
Even a trip to the nationally feared Wankdorf last weekend did not put them on the road to defeat.
So after the 2:0 opening win over Yverdon and the 4:2 win over Winterthur, FCZ have now proved with the 2:2 draw against Young Boys that they are indeed a possible championship contender.
A lot of players came and went for the Swiss side in the summer, but the only one for whom money was put on the table was Umeh Emmanuel. The newcomer from Bulgaria has quickly become a regular, even if I don’t see him as the biggest gain.
Nevertheless, left-back Doron Leidner (Olympiakos Piraeus) and center-forward Juan José Perea (VfB Stuttgart) are certainly interesting players who have been loaned out. In addition, the Zurich club finally promoted their talented midfielder Nevio Di Giusto to the squad
But watch out for Guimaraes! Although the Portuguese side have the disadvantage of not yet having started in the domestic league competition, they are definitely “ready” for the 2024/25 season.
Four test matches and the two conference qualifiers against Floriana were all won.
The 2-0 win over Middlesbrough and the 2-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano a week later made a big impression.
These are results that could well worry FCZ fans…
Quota analysis
To be honest, there aren’t too many offers on the betting markets for this fixture that I’d get excited about.
The double chance X2 odds are pretty much the only offer I would take up at all, even if the associated odds of around 1.65 are not too high.
A 1:1 result bet, on the other hand, is my personal tip for risk-taking sports betting fans, although I was also hoping for slightly higher odds than the 6.50 currently on offer …
Zurich never wins at home with aplomb
Of course, FC Zurich have to lick their wounds from the weekend’s thriller against Young Boys, which is why I expect a minimal drop in tension on Thursday.
Furthermore, the experience of past European Cup battles at the Letzigrund Stadium could also unsettle their own fans. Even if their boys are victorious against Vitoria SC, nothing will be decided early…
Of the last 16 European Cup home games that FCZ have played in their own stadium, the hosts have only won once by more than one goal.
What’s more, Zurich won 6 of these 15 matches either 1:0, 2:1 or 3:2.
Vitoria SC: Here to stay!
The above title song by the German band “Wir sind Helden” is a pretty good description of the Conquistadores’ progress on the national and international stage since 2019.
Since then, they have taken part in all European Cup campaigns except the one in the 2020/21 season and have achieved some notable successes.
Around four years ago in the Europa League group stage, Vitoria SC finally managed a 1-1 draw against Arsenal and a legendary 3-2 away win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the same stage of the competition
Vitoria Guimarães also played some remarkable away games in the second half of last season, which should serve as a warning to Zurich.
For example, VSC defeated none other than FC Porto 2:1 at their home ground to knock them out of the championship race for good.
The 1-1 draw at SC Braga during this period also earned the respect of neutral observers…
Some of the bookmakers’ FC Zurich Guimarães odds prove that I could be right in my assumption that the Portuguese could end up being too big for FCZ.
Did you know that the odds for Zurich to survive this round gravitate around 1.95 with almost all bookmakers, while the opponent’s odds are set at a lower level of around 1.60?
My tip:
Zurich may have already played a few more competitive matches and started the new Super League season quite successfully, but the visitors are also fit for the 2024/25 season.
That can be seen impressively from the Portuguese side’s recent impressive test match results, which should also see them prevail against FCZ after a first and second leg, although the emphasis here is more on the word “second leg”.
The Himmelblaue, on the other hand, played an intense match against Young Boys last weekend, which they at least did not lose.
Nevertheless, another draw is the best FCZ fans can hope for in this first leg…
My tip: Double-Chance-X2
