Since the Polish Ekstraklasa increased the number of participating teams from 16 to 18 in the 2020/21 season, Raków Częstochowa have finished as runners-up.
This season, they lead the log with seven points after the first half of matches. Now, many are beginning to wonder if they could just go all the way and win it for the first time ever. Of course, it must be playing in the minds of the players and fans—the possibility of celebrating their first title.
Yet, there is still plenty to play in a fascinating campaign, where Legia Warsaw, who finished in 10th place last season, sit in second place.
The defending champions, Lech Poznan, are a whopping 12 points behind the leaders, having lost the same number of matches they did in the entirety of last season.
And for punters, the Ekstraklasa continues to deliver. Even more now, some visible patterns are playing out that could further increase their chances.
Hence, here are four teams and some unique bet options that could enable smart punters to earn consistently on their stakes.
Over 2.5 Goals In Matches Involving Pogon Szczecin
After a relatively successful 2021/22 season in which the Dockers finished in third place, Kosta Runjaic was allowed to leave and Jens Gustafsson was appointed.
Obviously, the hierarchy was disappointed in how they somehow managed to lose their fighting chance for the title. Runjaic’s men earned just one win in their final five games. Their rival, Lech Poznań ended the season on their strongest foot.
Yet, things have turned for the worst with the appointment of the Swedish manager. While Pogon Szczecin are one of the most expansive and expressive teams in the division, with only Rakow having scored more goals than them, they have let in goals with ease. Gustafsson’s men have conceded 28 goals so far, just three behind the 31 they conceded in 34 matches last term.
Konstantinos Trianatafyllopoulos has struggled to get back in form after missing much of last season. The Greek defender has already been sent off this season.
In effect, they have played out some very high-scoring matches this term. Pogon Szczecin have played 13 over 2.5 goals matches this season.
Goal/Goal In Matches Involving Legia Warsaw
Legia Warsaw, the most successful Polish club, won two consecutive league titles between the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons. However, they had a 2021/22 season to forget, terribly defending their title by finishing in 10th place.
Perhaps their Europa League commitments hindered their ability to compete. They won just two of the six matches played after a Europa League match.
Runjaic made the jump in the summer to Warsaw, and the Militarians are back competing. Of course, there are also no continental distractions.
Runjaic’s men have been very susceptible to cheap concessions, especially owing to their poor disciplinary attitude. Artur Jędrzejczyk has been one of the most frequent recipients of the yellow card in the division.
Legia Warsaw have recorded 13 goal/goal results in the Polish Ekstraklasa, including five of their last six matches. This is, therefore, a smart betting option for punters.
Under 3.5 Goals In Matches Involving Cracovia
Cracovia have churned out some mediocre performances in the last two seasons. However, there is a will to compete for European places this season. They currently sit in sixth place, two points behind Widzew Lodz, who occupy the third position.
And Jacek Zielinski is doing it a lot differently than he did last term. From conceding in about the same proportion as they scored, the Stripes are now more conservative, measured in defence.
Indeed, no team has conceded fewer goals than Zielinski’s men. The downside, of course, is a reduction in the number of goals at the other end. Yet they are comfortable, winning by the odd goal.
Zielinski’s three centre-backs, Jakub Jugas, David Jablonsky, and Virgil Ghita, have kept nine clean sheets, which is 50% of the number of matches played.
They have also played out 18 under 3.5 goals matches. This is certainly a very safe yet rewarding option for punters with eyes on the Ekstraklasa.
Over 1.5 Goals In Matches Involving Jagiellonia Bialystok
If Jagiellonia Białystok experienced some fruitful seasons between 2016 and 2019, where they won the Polish Cup and qualified for the Europa League, they have become rather modest since then.
The Jaga’s poor outing last season, which saw them finish in 12th place, came with the summer appointment of Maciej Stolarczyk. Yet, nothing has improved as the Bialystok-based team languish in 15th place.
If anything, habitual draws have been their Achilles’ heel. No side has drawn more matches this campaign than Stolarczyk’s men.
Interestingly, they have dropped 11 points from winning positions. Jagiellonia Białystok have, in effect, played 14 over 1.5 matches this season.