Road to European Football: Accumulator Tips for JULY 17 2025

The fight for a spot in all European competitions next season continues as the playoffs intensify. Shakhtar Donetsk will be hoping to continue what they started as they take on Lille in the return leg. Sheriff also annihilated Prishtina from Kosovo in the first leg, and it looks like they’ll do the same in the return leg. Finally, Cliftonville were held down to a 2-2 draw in the first leg encounter against St Joseph’s, and this is another opportunity to make things right at the Solitude Arena. We are more than excited for what’s ahead in the European qualifiers and the teams that will make it through to the next round. Let's analyze the teams’ forms, key stats, and my opinion on the upcoming game. 

llves vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Lives will welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to the Tammela Stadium in Finland for the return leg of the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round on Thursday. Both teams in the first leg last week, in a game where the favorite, Shakhtar Donetsk, dominated the entire game. Shakhtar took the early lead in the 26th minute with a goal from Alisson Santana before Kaua Elias doubled their lead in the 44th minute. The second half was a nightmare for llves as the goals kept on coming in, and they eventually conceded four goals in the second half, making it a total of six goals. Shakhtar won that game 6 -0, and the home advantage must have played a significant part in their outstanding win. However, we believe Shakhtar is still well-positioned for the win on Thursday. Our bet is on Shakhtar Donetsk to win this game. 

llves vs Shakhtar Donetsk probable lineup;

llves's possible Starting Lineup (3-4-3)

Virtanem— Rale,Vaisanen, Maenpae — Jukkola, Veteli, Popovitch, Wallius,— Stjopin, Riski, Soderback
Head Coach: Joonas Rantanen

Shakhtar Donetsk's possible Starting Lineup (4-1-4-1)

Dmytro Riznik—Konoplia, Bondar, Mykola, Pedro Henrique—Marlon Gomes— Santana, Bondarenko, Sundakov, Kevin—Elias

Head Coach: Arda Turan

• Bet: 2 & TO 1.5 goals

Prishtina vs Sheriff Tiraspol

The action continues at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri as Prishtina welcomes Sheriff Tiraspol for the return leg of the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round. The first leg was devastating for Prishtina, with Sheriff dominating most of the game. Cyrille Bayala was very instrumental in Sheriff’s 4-0 win in the first leg as he scored a hat-trick, cementing his name in the qualifiers. Cyrille got the opener early in the 11th minute of the first half, and it wasn't long until he doubled his lead in the 19th minute. He completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute of the second half, and Elijah Olaniyi Odede made it four just 4 minutes after Cyrille Bayala’s goal. Sheriff is a much better team when compared to their opponents, Prishtina, and they are better positioned for the win in this return leg encounter. Our prediction is a win or a draw for Sheriff. 

• Bet: AWEH

Cliftonville vs St Joseph's

Cliftonville and St Joseph’s had a brawl in the first leg encounter, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw. Ryan Curran got the early lead in the 39th minute for Cliftonville, but Alvaro Rey equalized for St Joseph’s through a penalty minutes after Jack Keaney was sent off for violent conduct. Jonathan Addis put Cliftonville upfront with a goal in the 78th minute, but Alvaro Rey equalized for St Joseph in the 83rd minute. Cliftonville took the lead twice in that game, and twice they were pegged. We envisage a very tough game with Cliftonville as our favorites to win the game, but St Joseph remains a worthy opponent.

Cliftonville vs St Joseph's probable lineup;

Cliftonville's possible Starting Lineup (4-3-3)

Ridd— Conlan, Jonathan Addis, Keaney, Casey — Rory Hale, Harry Wilson, Conor Pepper,— Ryan Curran, Joe Gormley, Shea Keaney

Head Coach: Jim Magilton

St Joseph's possible Starting Lineup (4-3-3)

Bradley Banda—Jolley, Paul, Garcia, Barba—Manuel Sanchez, Perez, Alvarez,— Armental, Rodriguez, Rey

Head Coach: Abraham Paz

• Bet: HWEH