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betting » Previews » Matchday 1 - Group A - F - Open With A Europa Win

Matchday 1 - Group A - F - Open with a Europa Win

By Joe, BettingExpert.com | Edited

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Doye

Europa League group stages are back! It will once again showcase teams that are on the rise and in search for some European silverware. FC København will face games in the Europa League with striker N. Doye at home against Vorskla after failing to reach the champions league group stages.

 

PAOK vs. Tottenham (Group A)

The Greek outfit are looking to make their name in Europe as they prepare to take on Tottenham Hotspur at home in their first game of the Europa League group stages. POAK Salonika might have an advantage in which the goal keepr Boloni was coached by Spurs coach Harry Redknapp during his time at Portsmouth. This should give some of the Greeks some idea which kind of football Redknapp will be deploying on Thursday evening. The weekend didn’t see POAK continue their winning streak as they lost 2-1 away to Ergotelis, after taking a 1-0 lead from Balafas. The Greeks are undefeated at home in Europe and that is something they will be hoping to preserve.

Spurs are facing a dilemma that they knew all along: too many games and the issue of getting their priorities right. For Redknapp, the Europa League is not a priority after tasting a Champions League quarterfinal appearance last season and looking to do well in the premiership, he will not be taking his key players to Greece this midweek. It is likely to see Redknapp rotating his team, giving starts to Sebastien Bassong, Andros Townsend, Jake Livermore and Roman Pavlyuchenko who all started on the bench in the 2-0 away win against Wolves over the weekend. A possibility is to see Dutchmen Rafael Van de Vaart returning after a miracle recuperation of a hamstring injury, while Brazilian goal keeper Heurelho Gomes will get a start.

 

Verdict: Both looking to do well and a draw seems fair as Spurs are reluctant to field a strong side.

 

 

 

FC København vs. Vorskla (Group B)

The Danish champions will have to bare life in the Europa League this season after reaching the last 16 in the Champions League last season and also being dumped out of the playoff stages in this season’s Champions League by Plzen. They lacked the finish and also the solid defensive display they showed last season, that could be due to some key players leaving the club. They will now face yet another unknown quantity without their captain Martin Jorgensen who sustained a knee injury over a 1-0 away win against Lyngby last weekend. Although FC København are strong at home, only a win will give satisfaction in their first group stage match with both N. Doye and Cesar Santin as their frontal strikers.

FC Vorskla Poltava are new to the Euroepan scene and will be looking to make a name for themselves. They’ve managed to impress by stretching their unbeaten run to seven as they travel to Copenhagen. The Ukrainian side are searching for their first three points in their first appearance in the group stages. Their domestic form hasn’t been prolific, finding themselves 6th on the league table, trailing teams like Shakhtar and Dynamo, making Vorskla more eager to do well in this competition. The Ukrainians should be feared for their offensive football.

 

Verdict: Good track record from the visitors and the Copenhagen could see some resistance, draw.



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betting » Previews » Matchday 1 - Group A - F - Open With A Europa Win