Europa League / Mike Norman / 26 February 2009 / Leave a comment

After Wagner Love lit up the first leg this tie is set for more explosive drama on Thursday night. However, Martin O'Neill's priorities lie elsewhere and that makes the hosts hot favourites, says Mike Norman. Best Bet: Back CSKA/CSKA @ 2.78 (Half Time/Full Time).

Moscow will be full of love on Thursday night, though I doubt any of it will be touching the hearts of Aston Villa fans come the end of their team's second-leg tie against CSKA Moscow.

At first glance, the tie looks to be brilliantly set up with the aggregate score currently standing at 1-1 thanks to Vagner Love's illuminating performance at Villa Park last week. However, Martin O'Neill has decided to leave eight regular first-team players on British soil for the trip to Moscow, meaning the match now has a distinctly one-sided look to it.

In the To Qualify market, CSKA Moscow are hot favourites at just [1.38] - Aston Villa can be backed at [3.15].

O'Neill has decided to rest his star players in favour of a big push to qualify for the Champions League, and though the Irishman will still expect a bold show from the team he selects, a side missing the likes of Ashley Young, Gareth Barry, Garbriel Agbonlahor, James Milner and Stiliyan Petrov is a bit like a boxer going into a ring with one arm tied behind his back - you're immediately at a disadvantage.

CSKA on the other hand are just starting to get in to full swing with the 2009 Russian Premier League due to commence in a few weeks time. They have no major injury worries, and as Vagner Love and Co demonstrated just last week, they are a talented outfit who will take a lot of beating in the hostile Luzhniki Stadium.

I fancy the Russian side strongly and wouldn't put off anyone backing CSKA/CSKA in the Half Time/Full Time market at [2.78]. Draw/CSKA ([4.8]) is the only other option I can contemplate happening.

Amongst the more experienced Villa players expected to play are a trio of defenders in Luke Young, Curtis Davies and Zat Knight, whilst the reliable Steve Sidwell will add a bit of strength to the midfield. For this reason, I don't see the game containing an avalanche of goals and, if pushed, I'd just favour Under 2.5 Goals being scored at [1.88]. Over 2.5 Goals can be backed at [2.08].

Correct Scores of 1-0 ([7.8]) and 2-0 ([8.2]) to CSKA are definitely worth thinking about, whilst for a First or Any Time Goalscorer then look no further than that man Wagner Love. He should be available to back at around [6.5] and [2.5] respectively once those two particular markets mature.