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Round of 32 - Committed to the Europa League Silverware
By Joe, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Google+: Joe Bexpert
The Europa League returns with the remaining 32 teams going up against each other to find a way into the next round. Holders Porto will host a club stricken of top players from Manchester City while rivals, Manchester United will travel to Holland to take on Ajax Amsterdam. All games are to be played on Thursday where Udinese also take on PAOK.
Ajax vs. Manchester United
The Dutch outfit has seen very much success after the turn of the year. They have failed to find anything positive after only picking up one point from four games. Following the off the field battle on the board saw the resignation of both Danny Blind and Martin Sturkenboom after the Dutch court ruled that the appointment of Louis Van Gaal as a football director is to be reversed. So both on and off the field, Ajax have suffered in the past weeks but things might be turning for the better. Ajax run up to their last 32 tie against Manchester United saw them beat NAC Breda 2-0 away. This might have given them some assurance over their belief. Both strikers Miralem Slejmani and Dmitry Bulykin are the ones that will be providing the goals while Danish international Christian Eriksen will be providing the creativity in the midfield.
Manchester United failed to advance further in the Champions League knockout stages and has kindly put their name in the Europa League pot instead. The remarks from Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t help much branding this tournament more of an lower priority which doesn’t make much of a good start with the FIFA board members. The whole saga between Patrica Evra and Luis Suarez went to a whole new level after the arch rivalry win for Manchester United with 2-1. However, it is unlikely that the Red Devil will be sending a strong team out to the capital of Holland to face Ajax on Thursday evening. It is likely that you will see Wellback, Hernandez, Park, Berbatov and a retuning midfielder Tom Cleverley. With a few injuries, it is very likely that Manchester United will field a weaker team that faced Liverpool on the weekend. Beware, you are warned.
Verdict:
A draw could be on the cards and likely if Manchester United field a weak team. There aren’t much going for Ajax and when a strong team on paper comes around, then Ajax are up for
Udinese vs. PAOK
The fight for the top spots in the Serie A isn’t materializing in any way shape or form. It hasn’t been the start of 2012 that they wanted after being top of the Serie A. They are merely slipping away from the top and their last two games have ended up with defeats. Firstly it was Fiorentina with a 3-2 away defeat and last weekend saw the second place slipped with a late winner from AC Milan as a 2-1 defeat at home which does not show much good form before taking on POAK this Thursday. Although, with some bad form of late, the Italian outfit could use this competition to jump start their Serie A title chase once again and even make it further in the Europa League. The disappointment on the weekend could transcend the squad to bounce back after weekend defeat but they will have to do it without captain Di Natale and Mauricio Isla sustaining an injury against Milan.
The Greeks might be in financial trouble but football still goes on. Certainly PAOK will rise to the challenge to show Europe that they aren’t just some pushover like their government when it comes to the big recession. Although having said that, the race for the domestic title might be long gone as they are currently 11 points away from the league leaders, Olympiakos, despite them winning in the weekend 2-0 home win over OFI Crete. Both goals were scored by A. Giannou and he should be available for the recall on Thursday and with much expectation, PAOK should remind themselves how they got there and that was by winning Group A, qualifying ahead over Tottenham and Rubin Kazan.
Verdict:
Home win should be in order even without their best players. POAK aren’t the kind of team that comes up good against big teams, although Udinese might not be considered a force in Europe but they are a notch better than POAK.
Porto vs. Manchester City
This is the first time these two teams are to face each in Europe and there will be a certain test on the cards this Thursday. For the Europe league holders, Porto haven’t found their feet domestically and that could influence their form in Europe. They have only picked up seven points out of the possible 12 in the last four matches and worst of all is that before they face Manchester City, they lost 3-1 away to Gil Vicente. After being dumped out of the Champions League and living life in the Europa League once again, it is one of the competition that Porto are successful in, unbeaten in seven European home games, with five wins and two draws, Porto are a strong home team that will be tested with the multi-million back Manchester City.
The Saudis didn’t intend to see Manchester City to be take part of the Europa League after pumping massively into the blue half of Manchester. They, like Porto, were also dumped out of the Champions League and seeing the Europa League as another alternative for some silverware. City recently went out of the Carling Cup semifinals due to both injuries and suspension, but with some players returning from suspensions, African Nations Cup and injuries, manager Roberto Mancini will be able to select a team that can contest the likes of Porto. Either way, Mancini will be able to field a good team whether they are A or B, Nasri or Milner. If City wants to win some silverware besides the Premiership then this might be a good one since the League and FA Cup are out of the question. Expect players like Savic, Clichy, Pizarro and Dzeko to play and with a 1-0 away win over Aston Villa in the weekend, City are very much on a winning path.
Verdict:
A draw should be in order but if City wants this badly, then it will be all City and Porto playing second fiddle. Both teams might be disappointed finding themselves in this competition but if they are both committed to the cause, then Porto could draw first blood. Therefore a small stake on Porto to win is really a punter’s call.
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