Europa League Betting Preview: Everton recovery starts here

Europa League / Richard Aikman / 19 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

This week’s recommended bets:
Back over 2.5 goals in Bremen v Aktobe @ 2.5;
Draw/Everton in Everton v Sigma Olomouc @ 4.2;
Valencia to beat Stabaek @ 1.75

After being gunned to pieces on Saturday night, can David Moyes' men recover in time for their Europa League clash against a side which scored eight in the previous round? Meanwhile, a team from Kazakhstan are aiming to bring down the mighty Werder Bremen. Richard Aikman picks the best bets...

Werder Bremen v Aktobe

Werder Bremen will need to have their wits about them when Aktobe come to visit on Thursday, but in spite of a disappointing start to the season the German side have enough quality to overcome Vladimir Mukhanov's men.

Bremen have not exactly got off to the best start in the Bundesliga, where they lie 12th with a point from two games but, while their 3-2 opening day defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt was a shock to the system, the side from Northern Germany won't have been too dismayed at the 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich last weekend.

It has not been easy for Thomas Schaaf's men to cope with the loss of Diego, who left for Juventus in the summer, but in Germany's emerging star Mesut Ozil, Bremen have a new creative force. Ozil has responded well to his playmaking responsibilities and even scored against Bayern on Saturday.

Ozil forged a fine understanding with Bremen's on-loan striker Claudio Pizarro last term and the Peruvian, who scored 28 goals in 46 matches last season, has given the Grün-Weißen a huge boost by signing permanently this week.

Aktobe may not be a household name but they came very close to upsetting Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League Second Qualifying Round second leg recently, taking a 3-0 lead against Maccabi Haifa before losing 4-3 on the night. The [23.0] about an away win is certainly a standout price.

The Kazakhstan outfit have remained unchanged for three years now and showed no fear when streaking into a three-goal lead after just 15 minutes in Israel. Clearly, their weakness lies in defence, though, which is why we can expect goals at the Weserstadion.

Bremen are a free-scoring side and with Pizarro back in the side last year's Uefa Cup finalists should have no problem winning this match. At [1.18] that hardly represents value, though, so over 2.5 goals is the sensible move [2.58].

Back over 2.5 goals @ [2.58]; Pizarro to score first [?]

Everton v Sigma Olomouc

After their 6-1 thrashing by Arsenal at the weekend this match can't come quickly enough for Everton and David Moyes but his side will be wary of a Czech side that hammered eight goals past Aberdeen in the last round.

The Toffees gave a hugely uncharacteristic performance against the Gunners and the distraction of the Joleon Lescott saga (apparently the wantaway defender requested not to play in the match) doubtless played its part.

With the Premier League title a non-starter for the Blues, Moyes's men are desperate to engage in another European adventure and so will be determined to give a good account of themselves against Sigma.

As Leighton Baines said recently, the English side's focus will be on keeping a clean sheet so those of you put off by the [1.38] about a home win might be tempted by the half-time/full-time market. "We don't want to go all gung-ho in the first half at the risk of conceding a goal, so it's important that we play sensibly," said Baines.

Despite their success against the Dons, in four league matches, Sigma have not won since the opening day of the season and so Everton can be expected to come through in a low-scoring affair, with Draw /Everton attractively-priced at [4.2].

Back Draw/Everton @ [4.2]; Under 2.5 goals @ [1.95]

Stabaek v Valencia

Valencia's greatest achievement this summer has been to hold on to David Villa and David Silva. Los Che's prospects of a productive season are hugely dependent on the Spanish pair and with both in the side they will be confident of overcoming Stabaek - even if they did lose 2-0 to Sevilla in a friendly recently.

On the whole, Valencia have looked impressive in pre-season. Defeats to quality opposition in Manchester United and Sevilla apart, Unai Emery's men have beaten Den Haag, Cardiff and, 10 days ago, Arsenal to suggest that they will be a force again this season - assuming they keep hold of their leading lights before the transfer window closes.

Stabaek, who are fifth in the Tippaligaen, are probably the worst opponents they have faced since pre-season began. However, with 21 league games - plus Champions League qualifiers - under their belt, the Norwegians have match fitness in their favour. They also boast the advantage of an artificial pitch, which could affect Valencia's passing game.

The Norwegians, who held FC Copenhagen to a 0-0 draw in the home leg of the Champions League qualifiers before losing 3-1 in Denmark, will give Valencia a run for their money and will not make it easy for the Spaniards to score. But with the likes of Villa, Silva, Joaquin, David Albelda, Michel and Nikola Zigic in the side though, [1.75] about an away win for the Spaniards represents excellent value.

Back Valencia to beat Stabaek @ [1.75]; Back Valencia to win 1-0 at [7.8]