Uefa Cup Antepost

[WHUPUNTER]

I couldnt see a thread like this on here so thought id start one. The Uefa Cup is one of my favourite compeititons, mainly because every season the bookie slips up in a pricing up a game and I can take advantage. There are so many exciting teams in it this year, for example AC Milan, Seville, Valencia, Ajax, Hamburg and Sampdoria. England are represented by Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa, Man City and Portsmouth who are all capable and could easily progress to the latter stages of the competition with favourable draws. AC Milan are rightly the bookmakers favourites this year, but I only see them as a profitable laying opportunity. Impressive performances should see their price shorten stage by stage but I can see their being more than one team who have the better of them. Valencia should also go well with David Silva and Villa staying on a major positive. Tottenham have strengthened majorly this summer and should be a threat, as should Everton who have left it late to add to last seasons strong squad. If Portsmouth make Fratton Park a fortress when European sides visit and the partnership of Crouch and Defoe begins to fire they could go as far as any and the same with Man City, who have Vincent Kompany, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jo to give them European experience. Aston Villa excite me the most out of the English quintet though and are very backable at the prices. Friedel is a reliable goalkeeper and has experience in Europe from his Blackburn days, as does Carlos Cuellar who has joined from Rangers to partner reliable Martin Laursen in defence. Luke Young and Nicky Shorey are capable full backs and all this adds up to Villa not conceding many goals. The midfield is bursting with talent with James Milner the latest to join alongside Gabby Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, Nigel Reo-Coker, Stilian Petrov and Steve Sidwell. John Carew is more than capable of banging in the goals as the service is sure to be there. Zenit St Petersburg were deserved winners of the trophy last season but were largely unheard of before it started. Benfica and CSKA Moscow could both give punters a run for their money this season.

Reccommendations

AC Milan - Win 13/2 (Stan James) - Will lay at later stage
Aston Villa - Each Way 25/1 (Coral)
Man City - Each Way 50/1 (Paddy Power)

Feel free to give your opinions on my preview and post your own.

Visit http://www.oddschecker.com/football/uefa-cup/win-market for best odds available on this market

[AK1979]

I like Villa at that price too. Remember O'Neill took Celtic to the final a couple of years back

[WHUPUNTER]

Very true AK. If rumours are true and Berbatov ends up joining Man City and they sign another couple of big names before the deadline, that price of 50/1 could half. Lucky im on

[nastro 1888]

Sometimes this competition can be tricky betting ante-post, theres 8 teams who drop from the champions league to be a added in december, these usually are big european clubs who only just fall short of qualification for the last 16, particularly groups D, G and H, IMO.

[WHUPUNTER]

Nastro, im quite sure you can get 9/4 on any of the Champions League drop pouts to go on and win it which I think is poor value to be honest. It doesnt happen that often and last season im quite sure all of the Quarter finalists were in the Uefa from the start (at least 6 of them were).

[nastro 1888]

good point WHU maybe better value available though in the markets to wait until december before betting, bookies prices will turn dramatically when some of the big names enter the competition.

Thing that cracks me up with uefa cup is teams who field slightly weakened teams due to " an important league match the following saturday " which is really only important due to trying to qualify to get into the competition !!

[deeloughran]

Man City now down to 16/1 so good value whoever grabbed them and a nice little profit already if you decide to throw it in already...

[max winner]

Dont go too crazy for Spurs, and im a spurs fan. We will be looking short up front what with Pavlyuchenko being cup tied, also Corluka cup tied.
With only Bent and Campbell up front if Bent gets injured/banned i wouldnt be too confident of them scoring many against decent UEFA sides in each round.

[WHUPUNTER]

Pavlyuchenko cup tied? Why mate, did they play preliminary rounds to qualify or something because im sure they didnt and hes not you know. If so, I agree.

[nicko]

Originally Posted by WHUPUNTER

Pavlyuchenko cup tied? Why mate, did they play preliminary rounds to qualify or something because im sure they didnt and hes not you know. If so, I agree.

Must have played for Spartak vs Kiev, no wonder he got sold as they got trashed. Not sure though if CL preliminary round counts...

[RedStevie]

Valencia at 16/1 is a decent bet, they've got a lot of quality in their team and capable of beating anybody in the competition and i'm sure they'll take the competition seriously if they get to the last 16 in it, doubtful they'll be in the Spanish title race late on in the season.

[WHUPUNTER]

Oh yess, couse mate. Cheers Nick. Well if he cant play they may well just struggle but will Man Utd let Campbell play as if they pick up injuries they could bring him back.

[Charlie Wong]

Man City @ 18/1
Stuttgart @ 33/1
CSKA Moscow @ 40/1

bit of a ropey market though, with the champions league teams eventually being dropped in.

[Footie128]

Agree with most of what you say at the top WHUPUNTER.
I'd say AC Milan are a definite BACK to LAY, despite the Champions League drop-outs (or is that drop-ins !?). Of the Brits, I'd say Man City could well be the value - especially if they point their cheque-book correctly. It should be their main target, don't think the Prem'll be theirs for a while. As for Villa, I'd be a bit cautious at present. Big fan of Laursen, thought Friedel would be good signing but he's not there yet and the defence is leaking too many goals. Think Shorey/Sidwell bad signings but Cuellar/Milner v.good.

[JackJarvis]

I couldn't touch AC Milan and reckon they are false favourites. I just don't rate them at all anymore and I'd much rather be a layer than a backer.

As Fernando says though, it is dodgy betting now as everything changes once the 3rd placed Champ League teams drop in.

[Charlie Wong]

Originally Posted by JackJarvis

I couldn't touch AC Milan and reckon they are false favourites. I just don't rate them at all anymore and I'd much rather be a layer than a backer.

certain comparisons can be made to Bayern Munich in last years competition, big favourites that flopped.

[WHUPUNTER]

Agree Sir. F but if you were on Bayern from the start, like I was then you had the opportunity to lay before the semi - finals and make yourself a nice profit. I think thats why people are saying AC Milan could be value from the start.

[Toronto_Mike]

Anyone who thinks Villa will win the UEFA Cup would be crazy. Our bench is still short and one injury to Laursen or Davies could crock our defense. We were very fortunate to have Laursen healthy all of last season and I'll be very happy if he is playing each game this season, however, as time progresses the January transfer window will prove to be vital...will Barry still be at the club? Will Randy Lerner decide to splash more cash?
Defensively Luke Young and Nick Shorey has been very very mediocore. We'd get killed with teams who play on the wings.

One team that should be strongly considered is Udinese. Fantastic start to the season. I have yet to see a single fault in this team in every game they have played. An amazing front line attack played with such a rock of a midfield. Their defense is also fairly impressive. Holding a lot of quicker players at bay.

[twente]

i'm going with:
feyenoord
ajax
metalist
any toughts?

[ewana]

Originally Posted by twente

i'm going with:
feyenoord
ajax
metalist
any toughts?

I think St Etienne look a good price also. Add them to beef up your line.