RAMOS to get his revenge on Tottenham

Juventus are the 7/2 (GENERAL) favourites for the Europa League as the tournament reaches the knockout stages on Thursday. 32 teams remain and it is the Old Lady who are the strongest side remaining especially with the added motivation of the final being at their own ground in Turin. Juve are deserved favourites though for me the price is a little too short to be siding with so I shall look elsewhere for value.

It is their Italian rials Napoli though who look much better value at 10/1 (GENERAL). Rafa Benitez is an old hand at winning European trophies and the Spaniard has already lifted the Europa League twice (once at Valencia and then last season at Chelsea). His Napoli side were unlucky to be stuck in a Champions League group with Arsenal and Dortmund and only exited the event on goal difference. A game with Swansea who are struggling in the Premier League should not represent too many problems and then a last 16 tie with Porto or Eintracht Frankfurt should also not worry them. At this price I think they look much better value. Tottenham are 17/2 (paddy Power) second favourites though with them not being too far off the pace in the race for the title I think they offer no appeal especially as they come up against a Juande Ramos managed Dinipro in the last 32. The Spaniard will be desperate to get one over his former club while the North London side might rest a few.

At bigger prices I like the look of Basel at 33/1 (GENERAL) who represent good each-way value. The Swiss side are managed by Murat Yakin and the Turk is making a real name for himself as a manager and any side who beat Chelsea twice in the group stages of the Champions League are no mugs.

In terms of the games Thursday night Tottenham are the first up of the Premier League sides (18:00, ITV 4) as they travel to Ukraine to take on Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. We talked before about how former Spurs boss Juande Ramos will be hungry to get revenge on the North London side and the 10/3 (CORAL) on the Ukraine side to qualify looks far too big. Tottenham are going well in the Premier League and with Champions League and even the top spot within their sights Tim Sherwood will have no choice but to rest a number of key players here and concentrate on their game with Norwich on Sunday in the Premier League. Dnipro can be backed at 19/10 (SKYBET) to win the first leg though Ramos might feel that if the opener ends 0-0 then that is also a good result for his side so take them to qualify.

Swansea have also be handed a tough task when they take on Napoli in Wales (20:05, ITV 1) with the Swans 11/5 (bet365) outsiders for the opening game. The Welsh team have already beaten Valencia this season and in front of a packed house will give this game a real go. That is why I can not be siding with Napoli at 7/5 (GENERAL). I think the Italians will have too much class over two legs but the prices reflect this. Instead I will point you in the direction of Jose Callejon who could start up top in place of Higuain and he is 14/5 (SPREADEX) to net at anytime in the first leg.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Dnipro to qualify against Tottenham, 10/3 (CORAL)
SILVER: Napoli to win the Europa League, EW, 10/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: Basel to win the Europa League, EW, 33/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: Jose Callejon to score anytime v Swansea, 14/5 (SPREADEX)

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20/02/2014     © Frixo 2026