UEFA Cup favourites Bayern Munich are unlikely to be stopped

Europa League / Nik Wardle / 07 September 2007 / Leave a Comment

"Knowledgeable" Nick Wardle on why anyone else is unlikely to be able to live with the Munich giants

The first round of the UEFA Cup kicks off on Thursday 20th September with Bayern Munich the biggest name in the tournament. Although their 100% start to the season was dented by a draw at Hamburg recently, they look like romping the Bundesliga and are huge favourites to add some European silverware. Pity Belenenses who have been drawn against them at the first stop en route to Manchester. Can any team avoid being slain by the German giants?

After four rounds of the Bundesliga, Bayern's goal difference is 11-1. Their three wins include a 4-0 crushing of supposed title rivals Werder Bremen at the Weser stadium. It's true Werder Bremen are injury-hit but this is still a show of force. No other side in the UEFA Cup can boast an array of European stars such as Franck Ribery, Luca Toni and Mark van Bommel - and that's without mentioning their numerous German internationals. Bayern are at 4.3 to lift the trophy.

So, what of the other 'contenders'? Despite their poor start to the Premier League, Tottenham are second favourites at 13. They reached the quarter-finals last season and had it not been for a ridiculous penalty decision in Seville, might well have beaten last season's winners. Spurs should cruise through their opening tie against Anorthosis and the group stages but I doubt they'll have the self-belief to ultimately be victorious.

Atletico Madrid are a side who should go far. They sold Fernando Torres and Martin Petrov to English sides over the summer but do have former Premier League players Luis Garcia, Diego Forlan, Maniche and Jose Antonio Reyes in their squad. They also purchased Simao from Benfica over the summer so are certainly an attacking force. A little like Spurs, they traditionally struggle for consistency in the league and, of course, live in the shadow of their neighbours. Atletico are at 17.

Former European Cup winners Ajax are in the tournament, having lost their Champions League qualifying game, and are priced at 42. Their long odds are probably due to the fact their best player Wesley Sneijder has just joined Real Madrid, following Ryan Babel out of the club. Klaas Jan Huntelaar is one of Europe's most promising strikers but I somehow doubt a side who relies on Dennis Rommedahl to set up goals will win the competition. Other noteworthy overseas sides include Villarreal at 22 and Fiorentina at 16.5.

Of the other English sides, Everton at 26 could be a good outside bet. David Moyes has always had the side well organised and the signing of Yakubu has added quality up front. If any of the four English sides in the competition could be trusted to go to Bayern and keep things tight, I think it would be them. Blackburn are priced at 30 and Bolton at 110.

One grain of hope for Bayern's rivals is that they may get distracted by domestic matters. However, given their start to the season and the fact their rivals have already lost ground - I predict the Germans will be victorious on English soil.