UEFA Cup Betting Preview: All the English clubs' fixtures examined

Europa League / Alsy / 22 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

Tomorrow night's clash at Villa Park is brimming with European pedigree but while Portsmouth should shoot down Braga, will Tottenham's trip to Udinese be Ramos' last stand? Alister Morgan weighs up the prospects of the English clubs...

Two European Cup winners do battle at Villa Park on Thursday night. Martin O'Neill triumphed with Nottingham Forrest in 1980 while Ajax coach, Marco van Basten, won in 1989 & 1990 with AC Milan.

Now coaching Aston Villa and Ajax respectively both men will be confident of progressing to the next stage of the competition regardless of tonight's result. The UEFA Cup format seems far too easy with three clubs from five progressing from the Group stage. In truth, competition in the UEFA only sharpens when the Champions League rejects parachute into the mix from on high.

Nevertheless, the arrival of Ajax will fill Villa Park and despite Ajax's lofty reputation the home side should win. O'Neill shuffled his full-backs in Saturday's 0-0 against Portsmouth but I wouldn't be surprised to see Luke Young return at right back and Nigel Reo-Coker holding in midfield. His defensive skills will allow Ashley Young to join Gabriel Agbonlahor and John Carew in advanced areas and that usually means goals for Villa.

Ajax have not made a great start to the season and currently lie ninth in the Dutch Eredvisie. Van Basten will be given time enough to mould his young squad while attackers like Klass Jan Huntelaar and Luis Suarez will look to impress on English soil. Expect an entertaining game and victory for Villa.

I'd ignore an Ajax win at [4.7] and the draw at [3.75]. Instead I'd back O'Neill's men to win the first meeting between these clubs at [1.89] and also look to back Villa to win Group F at the more enticing price of [2.66].

Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth have been inconsistent of late. It was barely a month ago that they conceded ten goals in two matches against Manchester City and Chelsea but their form has improved of late and they will fancy their chances against Portuguese opposition for the third time in a row.

SC Braga have played against English opposition seven times and are still waiting for their first win. Some may remember the 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium last year but in truth Portsmouth should have too much fire-power. Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch are both experienced strikers and it's bad news for Braga that Crouch seems to be rapidly improving alongside his red-hot striking partner.

Braga will have more support Thursday night but they have failed to win at home in the Portuguese Liga to date and currently lie 13th just above the relegation zone with one win from five. Harry's boys will be licking their lips and the only sane option is to back the visitors at a generous [2.7]. Portsmouth look set to enjoy their European away-days until AC Milan bring a little perspective to Fratton Park on November 17th.

In recent months the UEFA Cup has been a welcome distraction for Spurs - not any longer as the star-crossed Londoners travel to Udinese. They're not as famous as the Milan giants but Udinese have made an excellent start to the season and currently lie second in Serie A after seven games... Spurs haven't started quite as well.

Juande Ramos could be the first coach to win the competition three times but at present he'd definitely settle for three games without defeat. His team combine bad form and bad luck to devastating effect and it's difficult to see how they can recover from their current slump against an Italian side eager for a Premier League scalp.

All the big-name superstars will be belong to the Premiership side but the home side are an excellent team with Fabio Quagliarella the main danger man against a defence short on confidence. The possible return of Ledley King should improve their prospects but I'm predicting more woe for Spurs. The draw at [3.65] looks tempting but on home soil I expect Udinese to pile on the misery for Spurs and would back a home win at [2.04].