UEFA Cup Odds: Wobbly Spurs lead English contingent as UEFA Cup gets underway

Europa League / Dan Fitch / 18 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

Dan Fitch is concerned for Tottenham while Villa and Everton may also struggle...

It's strange how eager the mid-ranked Premier League teams are to qualify for the UEFA Cup. You end up having to play all your league games on a Sunday, there is a seemingly never ending group stage and you won't play a remotely decent side until at least the quarter-finals.

As a Tottenham supporter, I know that I am not in the slightest bit looking forward to seeing my side host Wisla Krakow, just three days after we were destroyed by Aston Villa and another three days before we play Wigan at White Hart Lane.

What atrocity did I commit in a past life that has lead to me being forced to watch this god awful side three times in just seven days? Normally I'm given at least a week or so of respite, before having my optimism punctured once more.

Tottenham are just [1.37] with Wisla Krakow [10.5] and the draw [5.2]. Given the lacklustre performance against Villa, these odds are slight, though I do expect Spurs to scrape a win. New signing Roman Pavlyuchenko is ineligible to play in the UEFA Cup this season, which should at least force Juande Ramos to play the 4-5-1 formation that the squad is clearly more suited to.

There's very little point in spending the close season signing attacking midfield players, only to leave most of them on the bench, or in the case of Luka Modric, play them out of position. After an encouraging display from Spurs' five man midfield against Chelsea, the game against Villa was not the time to switch back to 4-4-2. With a man advantage, Martin O'Neill's side completely overran Tottenham in the middle of the pitch.

Spurs just never looked like scoring and the [2.18] for under 2.5 goals has to be good value, with the boos from Monday night likely to be playing on their nerves. The game could see the debut of Frazier Campbell, who will either prove to be a success and return to Manchester United, or he'll be useless and return to Manchester United. Another great bit of deadline day business from Damien Comolli...

As poor as Spurs were, kudos has to go to an Aston Villa side that played very well. Martin O'Neill has built a side that have real pace and are tough to break down... unless you've got Rory Delap taking your throw-ins. Villa travel to Bulgaria to meet Litex Lovech and can be backed at a good value [1.85], with the home side [5.2] and the draw [3.55]. You might want to wait until near kick-off before placing your bet, as torrential rain has waterlogged the pitch and there is doubt as to whether the game will be able to go ahead.

Villa can be backed at [25.0] to win the competition and with Spurs the second favourites at [12.0], they are surely over priced. The big question mark over Villa, is whether their squad is big enough to cope with the demands that could be placed on them this season. John Carew plays an important part in Villa's system, but is injured for Thursday and will probably be replaced by Marlon Harewood. See what I mean about not having strength in depth?

Everton are another side with a very good first team, but not too much in reserve. They face a tough encounter against a Standard Liege team that took Liverpool to the brink of Champions League elimination. However, Everton have very wisely bought Liege's best player in Marouane Fellaini and the powerful midfielder will be a big loss for the Belgians.

Like Tottenham's Pavlyuchenko, Everton will be without Fellaini, as his appearance in the Champions League qualifiers for Liege has left him ineligible to play in the UEFA Cup. Everton may also have Leon Osman missing from a side that already has Pienaar, van der Meyde, Hibbert, Yobo and Saha out injured.

Everton are [1.72] with Standard Liege [6.0] and the draw [3.85]. Despite Everton's injury problems, I'd expect them to claim a home win, with Mikel Arteta and Yakubu both in great early season form. The key to Everton's success this season could be down to the fitness of Tim Cahill. Everton always look like a different side to me when Cahill is available. The Aussie is brilliant in the air and acts as a great link between midfield and Everton's lone striker.

The Toffees are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and if you think that Standard Liege will be able to breach the Toffees' defence, then the correct scores of 2-1 to Everton at [9.8] and 3-1 at [18.0] are both worth a punt.

David Moyes' men can be backed at [36.0] to win the competition and as with Villa, this is much better value than backing Spurs. With the dominance that English clubs have been enjoying in the Champions League of late, it would be nice if our sides could do something similar in the UEFA Cup.