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UEFA Cup

Fiorentina v Everton: Toffees can get a result in Florence

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Dan "The Betting Man" Fitch tells us why to lay the Italians tonight but why laying either of these teams for UEFA Cup glory would even more stupid than a Tim Cahill celebration...

As a Tottenham supporter, starved for many years of European football, I was very excited last season when we played our first UEFA Cup game since 1999. I was soon snapped out of this muddled thinking by the reality of the modern UEFA Cup. Endless group games against terrible teams, no lager on sale within the ground and worst of all, having to play so many of your Premier League games on a Sunday that you completely lose track of the madcap antics of Compo, Foggy and Clegg.

You can see what UEFA were trying to achieve when they changed the format of the competition, but they've failed miserably in their attempt to bridge the gap between this competition and the Champions League. Far better for the UEFA Cup to be a true alternative. A no thrills, no seeds, knockout competition, that anyone could win.

The pick of the ties in the last sixteen shows how the UEFA Cup is still capable of throwing up fascinating match ups. Fiorentina, currently fourth in Serie A, take on the Premier League's fifth placed team, Everton. It's an unfortunate draw for two sides both capable of reaching the latter stages of this competition, but a mouth watering one for us neutrals.

Both sides have been stubbornly fending off pressure from their supposed betters, to continue their challenge for a Champions League spot and both recorded very impressive results at the weekend. The pressure was on Everton after Liverpool had recorded their 3-1 win over Bolton, so they did well to defeat Portsmouth by the same margin. Fiorentina's result was even more impressive, as they recorded a 3-2 away win at Juventus.

Everton have a tough challenge to keep Liverpool at bay and the relative European progress of the two rivals will play a big part in the season run in. I think that either club would struggle to retain their league form should they enjoy a long run in Europe. Rafa would soon revert to his point-dropping rotation policy if there was a big Champions League game on the horizon, whereas Everton's slim squad would be stretched by a UEFA Cup run.

That said, I've been impressed with the way that Everton have adapted to injuries this season. The key has been versatility, with players like Jagielka, Neville and Lescott all able to cover various positions. This has meant that injuries have had minimum impact, though I do feel that it is vital that Cahill and Yakubu stay fit if Everton are to fulfil their potential. The Toffees are [2.92] to finish in the top four.

Fiorentina were recently ousted from their top four spot by AC Milan, but have stayed strong and won the position back. Not only have Fiorentina built up a four-point cushion between themselves and Milan, they are also just a point behind third placed Juventus.

This was made possible by Fiorentina's dramatic comeback last week in Turin. Pablo Osvaldo came off the bench to score a 93rd minute winner. He then put something of a dampener on his day by taking his short off to celebrate, only to be sent off for his second bookable offence.

Fiorentina play a 4-3-3 come 4-5-1 and with Everton generally fielding a similar formation, the game should be crowded in midfield. This could mean that the game is tight, but the impetus will be on Fiorentina to attack and take an advantage to Goodison Park. This could give an Everton side that have won their last four away games in the UEFA Cup, plenty of scope to counter.

Fiorentina are [2.38], Everton [3.5] and the draw [3.3]. I'll be going for a lay of Fiorentina at that price, as I expect a cagey start that would allow a trade, should the home side start to look too dangerous. Everton are the slight favourites at [1.81] to Fiorentina's [2.18] in the to qualify market.

Whichever side progress has a genuine chance to go all the way. Everton are the [9.8] third favourites, with Fiorentina [15.5]. To lay either of these teams for UEFA glory would be more ill advised than a Tim Cahill goal celebration.