Archive for October 19th, 2006
Rangers, will be glad get away from domestic issues when they travel to Livorno.
Their 1-0 loss to Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday left them a massive 10 points behind Celtic in the SPL (already!!) so Rangers fans will be hoping that having a foreign manager will reap its benefits on the European stage.
Rangers kept clean sheets in both legs of their first round win over Molde but they will do well to keep their goal intact against Livorno. The Italians are sixth in Serie A and have won two and drawn five in all competitions since their opening day defeat at Roma.
In addition, Livorno haven’t conceded in the last four games and Rangers have never won on Italian soil in 10 attempts. However, Livorno are playing in the UEFA Cup for the first time and Rangers’ greater European experience may prove to be worth a point.
Once again – we expect a cagey match – and the scores to be tied at the end of 90 minutes.
PICK : DRAW 0-0
October 19th, 2006
Blackburn are the Premiership’s other representatives and face a trip to Poland to play Wisla Krakow.
Rovers made a slow start to the season but have climbed into the top half now and their 1-1 draw at Anfield made it seven games unbeaten in all competitions.
Blackburn are 6/4 to come away with the win although it won’t be easy against a Krakow side who are unbeaten in 10 games (5-5-0) in their domestic league this season.
Once again – there is no clear indicator towards either side in this match – and the DRAW has to be the call.
PICK : DRAW 1-1
Best price is 9/4 (3.25) at Bet365
October 19th, 2006
The UEFA Cup enters its group stage on Thursday with Newcastle, Spurs, Blackburn and Rangers providing plenty of British interest – but all four game could easily end all-square.
Newcastle have struggled against some modest European opposition at St James’ Park this season. The Intertoto Cup saw them draw 1-1 with Lillestrom and 0-0 with FK Ventspils while in the first round of the UEFA Cup they were only narrow 2-1 winners over Levadia Tallinn.
Add in their poor home domestic record – one win, one draw and two defeats – and there’s certainly no grounds for backing them at shades of odds-on in Thursday night’s clash with Fenerbahce.
The experienced Turks lie second in their domestic league this season and have averaged over two goals a game so a Shay Given-less United could be vulnerable.
PICK : DRAW 1-1
You can get 3.40 at Betfred for the DRAW.
October 19th, 2006