Football Europa League 14th Feb

Atletico Madrid are the 7/1 (general) favourites for the Europa League which reaches the knockout stage this Thursday. The Spaniards have won this trophy in two of the last three seasons and are going well in their domestic league currently sat in second behind Barcelona. Chelsea are the 15/2 (You Win) second favourites with Inter and Anzhi Makhachkala 14/1 (general). Others expected to go well are Napoli at 18/1 (general), Spurs are also 18/1 (bet365/You Win), Zenit are 20/1 (general), Bayer Leverkusen are 25/1 (You Win) as are Lazio 25/1 (general) while Newcastle can be backed at 40/1 (ladbrokes).

Moving onto the games Thursday night and some 32 remain in the competition including four English sides. Liverpool face a difficult looking battle with Zenit St Petersburg. The Russian side sit third in their domestic league and arrive in the competition from the Champions League. Bookmakers have them as 13/10 (general) favourites to see off the Merseysiders in the first leg while the draw is 26/11 (pinnacle) and a Liverpool win is 27/11 (pinnacle). It looks a game to avoid from a betting view because Zenit are on a winter break and it is unclear whether they will be fresh or rusty.

Chelsea are away to a Sparta Prague side who sit third in the Czech table. Bookmakers have the English side as the 7/10 (paddy Power/william hill) favourites in the game. I can not be rushing to back them as Chelsea are in and out. I would not be keen to oppose them with Sparta though who are 336/67 (Pinnacle) while the draw is available at 14/5 (general). It is always hard to predict the lineup that Rafa Benitez will name but I would shocked if this game do not feature Ryan Bertrand. Benitez seems to favour him higher up the pitch so odds of 22/1 (betway) first scorer or 15/2 (paddy Power) anytime look worth an interest.

Metalist Kharkiv warmed up for their game against Newcastle with a game against Whitley Bay and it was a game that the Northern League side can proudly claim they drew 1-1. Nothing can be ready in that in turns of this game though I still think Newcastle look good things at 5/4 (Blue Sq/888 Sport) for the victory. With no Premier League game this weekend Pardew can afford to pick his best side and the Magpies should come out all guns firing as they look to give their fans something to cheer after a tough season.

Tottenham take on Lyon in a game that could put Hugo Lloris against his old side. The Tottenham keeper might not feature though as I imagine AVB will go with reserve keeper Brad Friedel. In terms of the game Spurs are 10/11 (Blue Sq/888 Sport) and like Newcastle will benefit from not having a game to worry about on the following weekend. Lyon though are no mugs and sit second in their domestic league. Evens on both teams to score (Stan James/betway) looks the way to play this.

The best bet in the Europa League in games not involving English teams is in the game between Levante and Olympiakos. The Spanish side are on a bad run of form losing five of their last six domestically. Olympiakos looked decent in the Champions League and came close to qualifying for the last 16. Side with the Greeks in the draw no bet market at 6/4 (Blue Sq/888 Sport/betway).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Newcastle to beat Metalist Kharkiv, 5/4 (Blue Sq/888 Sport)
SILVER: Olympiakos draw no bet v Levante, 6/4 (Blue Sq/888 Sport/Betway)
BRONZE: Ryan Bertrand to score v Sparta Prague, first 22/1 (betway), anytime 15/2 (paddy power)

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14/02/2013     © Frixo 2024