Europa League Betting: Juventus v Fulham

Europa League / Richard Aikman / 10 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

Brede Hangeland could be a key man on Thursday night

"Fulham’s best chance to sneak a very attractively priced away win [7.0] is likely to come from set-pieces as goalkeeper Alex Manninger is still prone to fumbling crosses and the likes of Brad Hangeland could take advantage of the brittle Bianconeri rearguard."

Juve are not at their strongest and the Cottagers could get a result from the biggest game in their European history, Richard Aikman tells you why

In a contest between two wily old coaches entertainment goals are likely to be at a premium when Juventus and Fulham clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

Having had the misfortune to witness at first hand one of the most uneventful matches in European football in Turin last week, there is little to convince this writer that Fulham's trip to northern Italy will be much different to that goalless draw between Juve and Ajax.

Bianconeri coach Alberto Zaccheroni and opposite number Roy Hodgson know each other well from the latter's Serie A days and age has not dimmed either elder statesman's pragmatic approach. Although Juventus reacted well to their 2-0 home loss to Palermo by beating Fiorentina 2-1 at the weekend, the Viola had half an eye on their Champions League match with Bayern Munich, and were unfortunate to emerge pointless from that match.

Juve [1.59], who have won just once in six home European matches, are missing key personnel in attack with Amauri, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Mauro Camoranesi out injured. On the plus side Diego is in form at last, as is Felipe Melo, but the Brazilian enforcer is suspended, while Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluigi Buffon - Juve's most consistent performers this campaign - are also out injured.

These problems would normally be music to the ears of the side who knocked out holders Shakthar Donestk, were they not without the creativity of Danny Murphy (suspended) and Clint Dempsey (injured); the drab 0-0 FA Cup draw with Tottenham on Sunday particularly showed how much they miss the former Liverpool midfielder.

Fulham's best chance to sneak a very attractively priced away win [7.0] is likely to come from set-pieces as goalkeeper Alex Manninger is still prone to fumbling crosses and the likes of Brad Hangeland could take advantage of the brittle Bianconeri rearguard, (a 1-0 away win might be worth an [18.5] punt) but a low-scoring draw looks the most likely outcome.

Best Bets: Back the draw @ [4.3]; Back under 1.5 goals @ [3.5]