UEFA Europa League » Dec 17

[Alessan]

Originally Posted by Vilamoura04

Ajax and Anderlecht both go through if they draw

That's the main thing concerning me tonight, both as a punter and a Dinamo Zagreb supporter.

Dinamo had a hard autumn, they were penalised by UEFA, lost unlucky to Anderlecht in Zagreb 0:2, and there's still hope of going through - they won away against Timisoara and Anderlecht.

Dinamo Zagreb needs a win against Timisoara tonight (probably going to get it) but Ajax must come through as a respected club that knows fair play.

I'll wait for team news, I hope Ajax will take Anderlecht on with a full squad, with Suarez and Pantelic motivated to score and build up their prices.

I'm counting on Ajax planning to sell Suarez this winter and probably wanting to get his price up. A nice hattrick in EL would help with that

[Alessan]

Dinamo Zagreb Vs. FC Timisoara

Some info and news:

Ivica Vrdoljak, player, Dinamo Zagreb:


"We feel cofident and great, we want to end this autmn in the best possible way!"

"In our first match against them, they didn't impress, we need to play our game, and score, even if Butina (goalkeeper) scores in 90th minute. "

Krunoslav Jurčić, coach, Dinamo Zagreb:

"We have a handicap playing on empty stadium, but this is an important match, and we're cofident about winning it!"

"The field is in bad shape, but will be frozen in the evening."

Ioan Ovidiu Sabauu, Coach FC Timisoara:

"You could say that the situation is quite strange because we play the game that means nothing to us. At the meeting with Dinamo look like the experiment and I will use players who have played less or did not play."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Dinamo's supporters, the "Bad Blue Boys" showed up at the last training with flags, banners and torches to show support and provide a morale boost. Shouting "DINAMO ZAGREB!" and holding up a 50 meter long banner "Dinamo is our life and our happiness" they put up quite a show.

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Dinamo has a full squad, only Tomecak is doubtful. Papadopoulos and Cufre have already left the squad. Nobody is crying for the awful Greek striker, but we might miss Cufre on LB. Mandžukić is not in form, and will leave Dinamo in January.

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FC Timisoara will play in a 4 - 4 - 2 Diamond formation, which they don't usually play. It's an experiment and I feel it will go badly in these hard conditions.

PREDICTION:

Dinamo Zagreb Vs. FC Timisoara

HOME WIN @ 1.3 (local - I'll try to get some bonus on that price)

Dinamo (-1) h'cap HOME WIN @ 1.8 (local)

[Alessan]

Originally Posted by Jase82

I quite like the look of Rapid Vienna at home over Celtic. Celtic are perennially poor travellers in Europe and they are planning on resting their big stars in preperation for Sunday's game. Neither side can qualify, so pride is the only factor here I can see.

I see your point, and the price is tempting...

Missings:

Celtic: Naylor, McCourt (resting)
Brown, Maloney (injured)
Zhi (ineligible)

Rapid: Heikkinen (injured)
Payer (GK - doubtful)

It seems that Celtic is going to Austria to give their younglings some European expirience, without actually trying to hard to win. rapid should take that gift and score a home win.

In their first encounter in this group Rapid snatched a point in a surprising away draw, and Rapid showed that they can put up a decent game winning 3:0 against HSV.

PREDICTION:

Rapid Vs. Celtic HOME WIN @ 2.1 (local)

[AntoNescU]

Sport Football (Euro Cups)
Event Steaua vs Twente
Selection Twente ( -0,5 ) (Asian Handicap)
Strength 10/10
Date 17/12/2009
Bookmaker/Price Bet365 @ 1.95 (Back)
Reasoning Steaua and Twente will play today the last match in group H.The hosts missed any chance for qualification,while Twente is now on second place.For to ensure the qualification in upper stages,Twente must win at Bucharest,for to not depend by the result between Fenerbahce vs Sheriff Tiraspol.Will be tonight a balanced game,because the land will be quite impracticable,because at Bucharest snowed more.But I believe Twente is the better team and they can mark a goal here and win tonight .My pick is Twente(-0,5).
STEAUA 0:1 TWENTE

[MMFloors]

Originally Posted by Alessan

I'll wait for team news, I hope Ajax will take Anderlecht on with a full squad, with Suarez and Pantelic motivated to score and build up their prices.

I'm counting on Ajax planning to sell Suarez this winter and probably wanting to get his price up. A nice hattrick in EL would help with that

It's doubtful whether Suarez will play. Yesterday he had knee problems (and tiredness) and went trough a scan. The scan showed that he can play, but Jol seems to protect him and rest him for this match.

[Peitch]

I have a doubt about that Ajax-Anderlecht.

Ajax and Anderlecht have good supporters relationships, don't know if that affects the game.
Jol probably don't want to risk the first place by losing to Anderlecht.
Really difficult because Anderlecht is getting over 4/1, but a draw is very likely too.

[Peitch]

What do you guys think about Genoa-Valencia? over 2.5? Genoa needs win and a good one too.

[Peitch]

Excuse me, the H2H matches are on the side of Lille, won 3-0 at home against Genoa and lost 2-3 away.
So if Lille is going to win tonigh, what they 100% do, Genoa is still knocked out.
I think Genoa wants to take the risk that Lille is going to fail and going for some goals tonight.

[Peitch]

And btw, if Valencia loses tonight, and Lille wins ( what they do ) Valencia is knocked out.
Didn't saw that, what would be a nice bet on this match?

[Peitch]

Think Valencia wants to end up first and dont want to risk 90 min for a draw.
Lille's gonna win and Valencia too?

[Jase82]

Originally Posted by bookies worst enemy

I actually agree with you on this, regardless of the team news as it showed yesterday with Fulham it might not matter, i belive Everton will wont to win to build on the confidence on the back of the 3-3 draw with Chelsea, also to pay back the long suffering fans for this season home defeats. By the way Eastern European teams don't do well in England, my concern's are Everton big time players missing might take effect as the game comes to a close, also they might just win by 1 goal

Everton -1 2/1 Paddy Power

Prices may become even more generous in the morning

In addition BATE haven't played a competitive Belarusian fixtures since the 27th of November. Their last competitive fixture was 2nd December.

[Peitch]

If Ajax loses to Anderlecht, they will be ended up second. If they draw Ajax will be first and Anderlecht second. If Anderlecht loses Ajax ends first, could be a draw here.

[Peitch]

I think under 2.5 in the match of Ajax would be good here

[Peitch]

Benfica
Villareal
Lazio

Not to great odds, about 1.6 but think Benfica wants to ensure his first position, Villareal wants to win because Lazio is getting closer and Lazio got a chance too.

[The Abacus]

Originally Posted by Peitch

Benfica
Villareal
Lazio

Not to great odds, about 1.6 but think Benfica wants to ensure his first position, Villareal wants to win because Lazio is getting closer and Lazio got a chance too.

Lazio are out mate

[Peitch]

Yeah excuse me

[Jase82]

Similar to last night I will be taking all selections in an accumulator, to keep things simple. All with BET365.

Lille OSC -2.5 AH @ 2.56 v FK Slavia Praha.

Looking at the odds, Lille's price has been dropping, whilst Slavia's has been increasing. Similar to Heerenveen last night, I think Lille will win quite comfortably. Lille have won their last four league fixtures, scoring four goals in each. They have already beaten Genoa here 3-0, and Slavia know that they can't qualify. Slavia are in poor form domestically with one win in eight league fixtures. Slavia have not won away in European competition in twelve attempts.

Benfica v AEK Athens BOTH Teams to score = NO @ 1.72.

Benfica have confirmed that they are making changes for this fixture. Fabio Luiz Coentrao, Pablo Aimar, Ramires and David Luiz are all out. Even after the team news I see no reason as to why Benfica can't get the win they deserve to get revenge over Athens. AEK have a very poor record away in European competition, and Benfica are yet to concede a goal at home in the Europa league.

Steaua Bucuresti v FC Twente UNDER 2.25 goals @ 1.85.

I think that Twente can feel pretty safe here, being two points clear of Sheriff, however they can't take anything for granted. Twente need only to draw, and hope that FC Sheriff don't beat Fenerbache. Given that Sheriff really NEED a win, I don't see that as a certainty. Apparently Twente will be due to play in freezing cold conditions, and heavy snowfall. I always like to play these type of games to go under because of the weather. So far there has been one goal in Bucurest's two home fixtures. I can see that trend not getting much better tonight.

Fenerbahçe SK @ 1.7 v FC Sheriff Tiraspol.

Similar to the Everton fixture, Fenerbache's price has risen, so I'm more confident in taking them here. Fenerbache have won the last four Europa league fixtures, and they will be looking to give Roberto Carlos a decent send off in his last competitive fixture for Fenerbache. I don't like backing sides to win in these situations when they need a win, and because the odds are rising on the home side, I am happy to take them.

Everton @ 1.72 v FC BATE Borisov.

Everton's price is continuing to rise, and I might take them on Betfair nearer the game, because they are currently 1.84

Yes, they are making changes, but they can still put out some quality players, and the odds are starting to represent a bit of value. If this was a normal competitive fixture, they'd be 1.40'ish.

Genoa v Valencia: Both Teams To Score = YES @ 1.66.

Valencia have scored and conceded in every Europa league group fixture so far, whilst Genoa know that they need to win. David Villa returns tonight from suspension, so I can see there being goals in this game, but I can't rule out a 1-1. I can definitely see both sides scoring. Genoa conceded two at home versus Lille already.

SK Rapid Wien @ 2.1 v Celtic.

This is a meaningless game for both sides, but Rapid Wien are looking to end the tournament on a high. I must go with the home side here, because in truth Celtic have never really been in this competition mentally. They have an abysmal record away from home in Europe, and now they are making changes. If their first team players weren't good enough, I can't see the fringe players coming in and making too much of a difference. Rapid Wien have beaten Hamburg on match day one, so we know they are capable of a result. They also secured a 1-1 draw away in Glasgow.

[Jase82]

Originally Posted by Peitch

Benfica
Villareal
Lazio

Not to great odds, about 1.6 but think Benfica wants to ensure his first position, Villareal wants to win because Lazio is getting closer and Lazio got a chance too.

Villareal are through and possibly making wholesale changes, and they are playing the real susprise package of this tournament, who will want to finish with the only 100% record in the Europa league.

Lazio are making lots of changes also.

Both sets of odds in these fixtures are rubbish to be honest.

[Piero]

For this trip the Spanish club in Austria will be without its two best players in the offensive department: Janko and Tchoyi.
Striker Marc Janko (27/12/6), struggling with bronchitis, will be replaced probably dall'antillano Robin Nelisse (15/4/1).
The attacking midfielder from Cameroon Somen Tchoyi (29/8/7 and 3/0/1 with Cameroon) is instead left for the holidays with the consent of the company.
Also missing are the Cameroon striker Louis Clement Ngwat-Mahop (2/0/0), which was torn in the first Bundesliga against Austria Vienna, and the two defensive Tunisian wildcard Anis Boussaidi (4/3/0 with the Red Bull Jrs.) And Mejdi Traoui (3/0/1 with Red Bull Jrs.) too injured for some time.
The two Tunisians are not otherwise present in the lists as well as UEFA the Serbian offensive midfielder Saša Ilić (7/0/0), defensive midfielder Rene Aufhauser (10/1/0) and the Czech midfielder Karel Piták (3/0/1 with the Red Bull Jrs.).
Due to the absences have been called by the second team defensive midfielder Stefan Ilsanker (3/0/0, 15/2/2 with the Red Bull Juniors. And 5/0/0 with Austria U21) and the Serbian striker Ðorđe Rakić (2/4/1 and 11/10/4 with the Red Bull Jrs.).

[Peitch]

Originally Posted by Jase82

Villareal are through and possibly making wholesale changes, and they are playing the real susprise package of this tournament, who will want to finish with the only 100% record in the Europa league.

Lazio are making lots of changes also.

Both sets of odds in these fixtures are rubbish to be honest.

Yeah you are right, read it all too quickly