Well-known Ukrainian journalist Artem Frankov told what he expects from the match of the 5th round of the group stage of the Conference League between Dnipro-1 and Cypriot Apollo, which will be held today in Slovakian Kosice.
"AZ - 9, Dnepr-1 - 7, Apollo - 4, Vaduz - 2 (current position in the group, — ed. note). It speaks in favor of the hosts that they are satisfied with a draw, while Apollo only needs a victory and preferably a big one in order to gain an advantage in personal meetings - then the task of the Cypriots in the light of the final home match with Vaduz will actually be solved. An “intermediate” victory leaves options for AZ motivation in the last round. Be that as it may, the Apollo will have to attack - here we were waiting for you!
However, there are serious caveats. The misfire of "Dnepr-1" in the "home" match with "Ingulets" (2:2) looked strange against the general background of scoring. Wards of Oleksandr Kucher began to concede, their game is not going well, and in general the team resembles an army, whose offensive is about to choke in blood and fierce resistance of the enemy - there are not enough reserves, ammunition is running out.
Like it or not, the duel with "Apollo", effectively defeated by the Dnipros in the first half of the duel in Cyprus (only 3:1), will answer many questions. Bookmakers see the Ukrainian team as a favorite, but I prefer a faceless bet on the total, since Dnipro-1 often breaks it in recent matches," Frankov said.
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