Rosenborg to pass holders Atletico Madrid
Europa League holders Atletico Madrid were comfortable 3-0 winners against Rosenborg a fortnight ago in the Spanish capital but we fancy the Norwegian champions to gain revenge in tonight's televised early evening clash at [3.85].
At first glance, expecting such a turnaround might seem like an outrageous shout, however as Auxerre, Tottenham, Roma, Benfica and most notably of all Shakhtar Donetsk have shown in the Champions League, two weeks is a very long time in football.
Like the Ukrainian side, Rosenborg have a very convincing home record strengthening their prospects, having last lost at the Lerkendal Stadion precisely 13 months ago, with 17 of their 21 games there since ending in victory, including all four of their European excursions.
Atletico's away form on the other hand hardly offers their travelling fans much encouragement. Just one point has been obtained from their last four matches on the road excluding the Copa del Rey, and they were beaten 1-0 by Aris, another unfancied team that consistently deliver at home.
Group B is undeniably the tightest in the whole competition, as only two points separate the four clubs, and in such a tense situation, defeats as hosts are unaffordable, which is why it's no surprise that there has yet to be an away success.
Rosenborg are currently bottom, though two more wins in Trondheim may be all they need to progress. Atletico will go to the back of the pile if they lose and their position may then become irretrievable, with two triumphs required to reach the magic ten mark and a trip to face Bayer Leverkusen still to come.
The one worry for the home side has to be their habit of leaking goals, which Atletico with Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero and only one blank fired in ten are capable of exploiting. Over 2.5 goals is therefore perhaps the best bet of all at [1.98], while 2-1 Rosenborg also appeals at [15.0].
Rosenborg v Atletico Madrid
Kick-off: 6pm
Live on ESPN
Think we're too hard on the defending champions? They can be backed at [2.14]...
Published: 4 Nov 2010
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