Europa League

Europa League group stages kick off on Thursday, as all times are hoping this is the start of a successful campaign. Current holders Porto are in the Champions League, so unless they finished 3rd in their group, we’ll be crowning new champions next May. There are many teams in it, who have the capabilities of going all the way this season. Match day 1 has some intriguing fixtures, and hopefully it gets off to a great entertaining start.

Dynamo Kiev v Stoke – 6:00pm

Kiev reached the quarter finals last time round which including them knocking out Manchester City in the process. However, they were knocked out to eventual finalists Braga. Stoke haven’t been in this competition before, and entered it because they reached the FA Cup final last season. They have a tough squad, and play very well at home in the Britannia Stadium. New signings Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios show everyone else that they intentions to improve their position in the league and go all the way in the Europa League this season. Kiev are favourites for this season given their experience. They are priced at 4/5. Stoke are not given much of a hope at 7/2, and will need to battle if they are to get 3 points in this fixture. Besiktas are another team in this group, as well as Maccabi Tel Aviv, so all teams will need to get off to a good start. Personally, I can’t see a team winning this one. A tight and tense affair.

My Recommendations;

Correct Score; 0-0 (8/1)     First Goal Scorer; Peter Crouch for Stoke (8/1)

Atletico Madrid v Celtic – 8:05pm

Atletico Madrid are one of the pre season favourites, and won the tournament back in 2010. They have sold Aguero and Forlan but have purchased Falcao who won the Europa League last season with Porto, scoring many important goals on the way. Atletico Madrid host Celtic, who are fortunate to even be in the competition. They had faced FC Sion in the qualifying game but were eliminated 3-1 on aggregate after the two games. However, since Sion played players who were ineligible to play, Celtic were rewarded to 3-0 wins, and take their spot in the Europa League. Celtic are 13/2 to win tonight, but many will be going for a home win on this one as Atletico are 4/9 to take all the points. Celtic are fortunate to be here, but are always capable of being a hard game for anyone in Europe, but their away record is poor and will be tough for them there, so Atletico for me.

My Recommendations;

Correct Score; 2-0 (5/1)     First Goal Scorer; Arda Turan (9/1)

Fulham v FC Twente – 8:05pm

Fulham went all the way to the final in 2010, only to narrowly lose to Atletico Madrid in the final, courtesy of a Diego Forlan goal. FC Twente won the Dutch Championship in the same year, and played in the Champions League last season. They failed to qualify for that this season, so will have to put up with a spot in the Europa League. Both of these teams have the capabilities of going far. Costa Rica international Bryan Ruiz is now a Fulham player, having been signed from FC Twente for £10.6million. He had a tough start to the Premier League, being brought off at half time on Sunday, and is unavailable to start against his old side. Fulham are slight favourites for this one, with them having home advantage, they are priced at EVENS. Twente are 11/4 to win this match, with a draw at 12/5. The Premier League is far more difficult than the Dutch League, so I am going to go for a home win, if they play with their high tempo and take their chances.

My Recommendations;

Correct Score; 3-1 (16/1)     First Goal Scorer; Moussa Dembele for Fulham (5/1