UEFA CUP PREVIEW - 21 Dec 2007

Dissapointing pick on Panionios last night. They threw away their best chance of qualifying to the next round of UEFA Cup by self destructing against Bordeaux last night. About an hour before the kickoff, there were some major changes in the Panionios odds whereby the payout for Panionios -0.75 increased from (0.86) to (-0.93). Comes to show that some news regarding the Panionios match before kickoff have affected punters confidence on Panionios that night.

Putting last night dissapointing pick aside, I shall make an early preview first on a couple of UEFA games tonite. There will be come crucial match tonite and I shall give an early preview in advance. Final picks will be put out later depending on odds changes.

Match 1 : Az Alkmaar vs Everton

1. Az Alkmaar requires a win to progress to the next round or a high scoring draw (yet a draw would depend on results from other group matches)
2. Az Alkmaar go into tonite's match with the longest unbeaten home record in European competion, having gone 32 games without losing at home.
3. Az will be without suspended striker Ferreira Ali and injured frontman Moussa Dembele. Also on the injury list are Joey Didulica (concussion, ankle), Stijn Schaars (ankle), Gijs Luirink (knee) and Maarten Martens (knee).
4. Ferreira Ali and Moussa Dembele are the 2 strikers having scored for Az in the UEFA competition, other strikers have yet to score in this competition.
5. Everton left 5 main players at home Ayegbeni Yakubu, Mikel Arteta, Tim Cahill, Joseph Yobo and goalkeeper Tim Howard stayed behind. Leon Osman (toe) and Phil Neville (knock) are out with injuries. Long term absentees for Everton are Alan Stubbs and Nuno Valente.
6. Everton have already qualified and would be looking ahead of this weekends cruncher against Man. Utd.

Match 2 : Larissa vs Nurnberg

1. Nurnberg travel to Larissa knowing that a win will ensure their qualification to the next round of the UEFA cup.
2. If Nurnberg were to draw, they can only qualify if Az loses at home to Everton.
3. Nurnberg have been knocked out of the German Cup and currently languishing at the bottom three of the Bundesliga.
4. Larissa's coach, Georgios Donis have pledge to the fans that his team will go for the win tonite.
5. Consideration would be given to Larissa on whether how much they need to win this match against Nurnberg given the fact that they are facing Olympiakos Piraeus this weekend.
6. On form Brazilian midfielder Cleyton is on goal scoring form and should be appearing for Larissa tonite.
7. Nurnberg will be able to bring a fully fit squad to Greece with only Matthew Spiranovic the only casualty.

Match 3 : AEK Athens vs Villareal

1. AEK Athens will qualify for the next round if they beat Villareal tonite at home.
2. Villarreal has already qualified to the next round of the UEFA cup.
3. AEK Athens will be without injured midfield duo Akis Zikos and Manu.
4. Although Villarreal have already qualified for the next round, coach Manuel Pallegrini has name a full squad to Greece, bringing along Giuseppe Rossi and Nihat Kahveci who have scored 14 goals between them this season. Two main players for Villareal that would be missing this game are Josico and Gonzalo Rodriguez.

Match 4 : Rennes vs Dinamo Zagreb

1. Rennes will make it to the next round if they win against Dinamo by a three-goal margin.
2. Dinamo will qualify to the next round if they can beat Rennes by a two goal margin.
3. Both teams would be going on all out attack tonite.
4. Rennes injury list included their captian Etienne Didot and left winger Sylvain Marveaux.
5. Rennes coach intend to deploy at three man strike force that consist of Sylvain Wiltord, Mickael Pagis and Jimmy Briand.
6. Dinamo has a 12 point lead in their domestic league and should not have to worry about their upcoming league games before the Christmas break.