RSS
ATOM
Europa League Qualifying Special: Liverpool And Juventus Safe Bets To Progress
We shine the spotlight over five of the more interesting play-off ties in Europe's second string competition...
Aug 19, 2010 12:00:00 PM
By Patrick Reilly
Odds Supplied By Titan Bet
Mersey Misery In Store For Turks
Match Odds: Liverpool 1.17, Draw 5.16, Trabzonspor 11.16
Bookies aren't taking any chances and clearly expect the Reds to dispatch of the Turks at Anfield. New manager Roy Hodgson knows the Europa League well and will want to put the tie to bed in the first match. Trabzonspor have a W1 D3 L1 away record in Europe and are unlikely to get anything other than a beating on Merseyside.
Keep your eye on Liverpool's David Ngog, who is scoring goals for fun, including three already in the Europa League.
*David Ngog to score first/anytime - 5.50/2.20
If you fancy Trabzonspor to grab something the draw is well priced at 5.16 as is a Turkish win or a draw via the double chance at 3.65.
Expert Eye
Jamie Dunn, Goal.com UK
"Liverpool will understand the importance of taking a lead to Turkey, which has never been an easy place for any team to travel, and anything other than a win at Anfield could make this tie an uphill struggle.
The Reds have made a spirited start to their season though and, with the Kop behind them, should be able to secure a first leg advantage on Thursday night."
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Trabzonspor
Odds on 2-0 win: 4.02
Match Odds: Sturm Graz 4.17, Draw 3.36, Juventus 1.67
Luigi Del Neri will no doubt have been paying attention to Tottenham's struggles in Switzerland ahead of the Bianconeri's trip to Austria. Juventus have taken a pragmatic approach to the Europa League so far with both of their games against Shamrock Rovers going under 2.5 goals.
Opponents Sturm Graz have chalked some decent scalps at the formerly named Arnold Schwarzenegger stadium. Last December they beat Galatasaray and reached this play off with the Serie A giants after a 2-0 triumph over Dinamo Tbilisi.
Tickets for the game sold out within two days and Juventus shot stopper Alex Manninger has warned his team-mates that his Austrian compatriots will give the old lady a game.
"The level of football [in Austria] is below what it is in Italy, but we find opponents that are further ahead in their preparation with a month of matches already in their legs. They will run a lot and try to play attacking football. We have to be careful, but I'm confident."
* Under 2.5 goals - 1.75
Match Odds: Rapid Vienna 3.0, Draw 3.17, Aston Villa 2.05
Plenty has changed at Aston Villa since they were dumped out by Rapid Vienna at the same stage 12 months ago. Manager Martin O'Neill and star player James Milner have departed with Kevin Macdonald holding the fort at Villa Park. Rapid beat the Premier League side 1-0 at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium, where they scored in the first minute, before going through 2-2 on aggregate via away goals in the second leg.
* Rapid Vienna to win 1-0 - 9.30
The Austrians are good at home and only lost once at the Hanappi in the league last season. So far they have W2 D0 L2 record in the early stages of their domestic league.
Doubts remain how seriously the Villians will take Europe's second string competition. Tottenham were caught on the hop early by Young Boys so the price on Rapid winning the first half is worthy of a small investment.
* Rapid Vienna to win the first half - 3.95
Expert Eye
Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK
"Villa will be feeling confident after Saturday's win in the Premier League and thoughts of revenge may provide some extra motivation. Rapid are a good side though and will want to show their passionate fans that last year's victory over the Villans was no fluke. A score draw then, that will suit Villa more than the Viennese."
Prediction: Rapid Vienna 1-1 Aston Villa
Odds on 1-1 draw: 6.85
Greece versus Turkey
Match Odds: PAOK 2.21, Draw 3.10, Fenerbahce 2.77
Greece versus Turkey and we can expect a spicy encounter between two teams who were both booted out of the Champions League in the last round. Fenerbahce were stunned by Switzerland's Young Boys, who beat them 1-0 in Istanbul while PAOK gave Ajax a fright by earning a draw in Amsterdam only to go out on away goals following a pulsating 3-3 draw in Greece.
* PAOK have lost just once in 18 home games, winning 15 and drawing three
Match Odds: Vaslui 3.43, Draw 3.22, Lille 1.87
Romanian upstarts Vaslui are aiming for the Europa League group stages having spent big in the summer. At home they have a strong record in Europe, winning four and drawing the other in this competition. Despite some off the field problems, forcing the club to rally behind their under fire former Real Madrid manager Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, the club haven't invested millions to just be dumped out of the Europa League before the real action begins
Ligue 1 side Lille have lost three of their last four on the road in Europe and their domestic campaign hasn't got off to a flyer with two consecutive draws.
A shock could be on the cards in Romania...
* Vaslui or Draw - 1.71
Place a bet now with Goal.com's official betting partner Titan Bet who are offering an exclusive bet £25 get £25 offer for Goal.com readers
Odds correct at time of publication. Predictions are based on current form and information and cannot be guaranteed. Goal.com encourages all readers who bet to do so sensibly.
Follow Goal.com on
. Get the latest football news direct... Check out Goal.com's 
page; be part of the best football fan community in the world!
Mersey Misery In Store For Turks
Match Odds: Liverpool 1.17, Draw 5.16, Trabzonspor 11.16
Bookies aren't taking any chances and clearly expect the Reds to dispatch of the Turks at Anfield. New manager Roy Hodgson knows the Europa League well and will want to put the tie to bed in the first match. Trabzonspor have a W1 D3 L1 away record in Europe and are unlikely to get anything other than a beating on Merseyside.
Keep your eye on Liverpool's David Ngog, who is scoring goals for fun, including three already in the Europa League.
*David Ngog to score first/anytime - 5.50/2.20
If you fancy Trabzonspor to grab something the draw is well priced at 5.16 as is a Turkish win or a draw via the double chance at 3.65.
Expert Eye
Jamie Dunn, Goal.com UK
"Liverpool will understand the importance of taking a lead to Turkey, which has never been an easy place for any team to travel, and anything other than a win at Anfield could make this tie an uphill struggle.
The Reds have made a spirited start to their season though and, with the Kop behind them, should be able to secure a first leg advantage on Thursday night."
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Trabzonspor
Odds on 2-0 win: 4.02
Match Odds: Sturm Graz 4.17, Draw 3.36, Juventus 1.67
Luigi Del Neri will no doubt have been paying attention to Tottenham's struggles in Switzerland ahead of the Bianconeri's trip to Austria. Juventus have taken a pragmatic approach to the Europa League so far with both of their games against Shamrock Rovers going under 2.5 goals.
Opponents Sturm Graz have chalked some decent scalps at the formerly named Arnold Schwarzenegger stadium. Last December they beat Galatasaray and reached this play off with the Serie A giants after a 2-0 triumph over Dinamo Tbilisi.
Tickets for the game sold out within two days and Juventus shot stopper Alex Manninger has warned his team-mates that his Austrian compatriots will give the old lady a game.
"The level of football [in Austria] is below what it is in Italy, but we find opponents that are further ahead in their preparation with a month of matches already in their legs. They will run a lot and try to play attacking football. We have to be careful, but I'm confident."
* Under 2.5 goals - 1.75
Match Odds: Rapid Vienna 3.0, Draw 3.17, Aston Villa 2.05
Plenty has changed at Aston Villa since they were dumped out by Rapid Vienna at the same stage 12 months ago. Manager Martin O'Neill and star player James Milner have departed with Kevin Macdonald holding the fort at Villa Park. Rapid beat the Premier League side 1-0 at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium, where they scored in the first minute, before going through 2-2 on aggregate via away goals in the second leg.
* Rapid Vienna to win 1-0 - 9.30
The Austrians are good at home and only lost once at the Hanappi in the league last season. So far they have W2 D0 L2 record in the early stages of their domestic league.
Doubts remain how seriously the Villians will take Europe's second string competition. Tottenham were caught on the hop early by Young Boys so the price on Rapid winning the first half is worthy of a small investment.
* Rapid Vienna to win the first half - 3.95
Expert Eye
Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK
"Villa will be feeling confident after Saturday's win in the Premier League and thoughts of revenge may provide some extra motivation. Rapid are a good side though and will want to show their passionate fans that last year's victory over the Villans was no fluke. A score draw then, that will suit Villa more than the Viennese."
Prediction: Rapid Vienna 1-1 Aston Villa
Odds on 1-1 draw: 6.85
Greece versus Turkey
Match Odds: PAOK 2.21, Draw 3.10, Fenerbahce 2.77
Greece versus Turkey and we can expect a spicy encounter between two teams who were both booted out of the Champions League in the last round. Fenerbahce were stunned by Switzerland's Young Boys, who beat them 1-0 in Istanbul while PAOK gave Ajax a fright by earning a draw in Amsterdam only to go out on away goals following a pulsating 3-3 draw in Greece.
* PAOK have lost just once in 18 home games, winning 15 and drawing three
Match Odds: Vaslui 3.43, Draw 3.22, Lille 1.87
Romanian upstarts Vaslui are aiming for the Europa League group stages having spent big in the summer. At home they have a strong record in Europe, winning four and drawing the other in this competition. Despite some off the field problems, forcing the club to rally behind their under fire former Real Madrid manager Juan Ramon Lopez Caro, the club haven't invested millions to just be dumped out of the Europa League before the real action begins
Ligue 1 side Lille have lost three of their last four on the road in Europe and their domestic campaign hasn't got off to a flyer with two consecutive draws.
A shock could be on the cards in Romania...
* Vaslui or Draw - 1.71
Place a bet now with Goal.com's official betting partner Titan Bet who are offering an exclusive bet £25 get £25 offer for Goal.com readers
Odds correct at time of publication. Predictions are based on current form and information and cannot be guaranteed. Goal.com encourages all readers who bet to do so sensibly.
Follow Goal.com on
. Get the latest football news direct... Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best football fan community in the world! Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
10 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Capello-Terry debacle won't be the last FA scandal
Keir Radnedge takes a trip down memory lane and concludes that the FA will continue to frustrate friend and foe alike following the England manager's resignation
-
AC Milan have one match to get back on track
The Rossoneri appeared to be building momentum ahead of the Derby della Madonnina but since losing to Inter the flaws that were evident at the start of the season have resurfaced
-
The Sweeper: Bale will not renew Spurs contract
Goal.com can also reveal that Guus Hiddink is ready to consider a return to club management and explains how West Brom's coaches are the poor relations of the Premier League
-
Why Real Madrid don't want to host the Copa final
The capital club are doing everything in their power to prevent their fiercest rivals from turning their famous ground into a Blaugrana base for the day against Athletic Bilbao
-
Cartoon: Maradona throws his toys out of the pram
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...
