UEFA Cup Betting Preview: Second Legs Playing March 12-13, 2008
March 11th, 2008
Premiership clubs made a very poor show in the first leg knockout games of the last 16 of the UEFA Cup. Spurs and Everton both lost without scoring, while Bolton were held at home. In contrast Bayern Munich cemented their position as UEFA Cup outright favourites, winning 5-0 at Anderlecht, and only a miracle can stop them progressing to the quarter-finals; but who’ll be joining them?
Can Premiership Clubs Turn the UEFA Cup Tide?
Fiorentina gave Everton a harsh lesson in European football last Thursday night. La Viola were frustrated by an inspirational first half performance by Tim Howard in the Everton goal, but the Serie A side eventually found their way past the American in the second half. The Italians’ 2-0 wins puts them in the driving seat for the return leg at Goodison Park this Thursday night (Mar 13). At least the Toffees should have influential midfielder, Mikel Arteta, in from the start, having recovered from injury, but it will require a tremendous effort from David Moyes’ side to overcome the two goal deficit.
Everton are favourites 1.943 (-0.5)* with Fiorentina 1.980 (+0.5)*.
Tottenham were equally disappointing, losing 1-0 at home to PSV Eindhoven. The Londoners paraded the Carling Cup before the game, but that decision back-fired, with the Dutch side dominating, displaying the greater experience on the European stage. It is however, just a single goal deficit, and Juande Ramos knows exactly what it takes to negotiate tricky UEFA Cup road trips, from his time with Sevilla.
PinnacleSports.com make PSV slight favourites, off a level handicap, PSV Eindhoven 1.870 (0/scratch)* with Spurs 2.060 (0/scratch)*. Note the game goes ahead despite the Dutch police strike.
Elsewhere Bolton Wanderers will need to produce an even better away performance than even the previous round, when they held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in Spain. The Trotters must overcome the away goal advantage Sporting Lisbon gained from the 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium. The Portuguese side are languishing in fifth place in the Primera table, but are unbeaten at the Estádio José Alvalade.
PinnacleSports.com make them favourites for the return leg on their 1.96/1.96 style Asian Handicap market.
*All odds subject to change so check out the latest LIVE bookie prices online here at BookieLabRat.com.
Entry Filed under: European Football,Sports Betting
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed