UEFA Cup predictions: all three English sides face tough tests tonight
Udinese/ Tottenham, Five, 6.10pm
Aston Villa/ Ajax, Five, 8.15pm
Sporting Braga/ Portsmouth, not on tele, 8.15pm
Despite the fact there are still forty teams in the UEFA Cup, the difficulty starts cranking up a few notches at the group stage. That’s bad news for Tottenham, Aston Villa and Portsmouth, who all face tough tests tonight, according to the betting genii at chickendinner:
Udinese v Tottenham
While Spurs are yet to win in the league this season, they have won two and drawn one in cup competition and are unbeaten in the last four games where Ledley King, expected to start tonight, has played. Udinese lost 2-0 when hosting Borussia Dortmund in the last round while Spurs are unbeaten in six UEFA Cup away games.
Prediction: Spurs to leave with a morale-boosting point.
Best Bet: The final score to be 1-1 – 6/1 with Bet365 – this has been the scoreline in seven of Tottenham’s last eight away draws, as well as their last four UEFA Cup draws.
Aston Villa v Ajax
While Ajax won 4-1 at Serbian side FK Borac in the last round, they have otherwise been poor away from home this season. While Marco van Basten’s side have a 100% home record, they have drawn one and lost two of their three league games on the road, Steve McClaren’s FC Twente have taken three points more than them. Villa are unbeaten at home but their form has been patchy. They have drawn their last two UEFA Cup home games 1-1 and drew 0-0 with Portsmouth last weekend.
Prediction: A score draw could be on the horizon.
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals – around 9/10 on Betfair – every Ajax away game under van Basten has featured three or more.
Sporting Braga v Portsmouth
Despite dreadful domestic form that has seen them win none of their last four league games, Braga continue to shine in the UEFA Cup and have yet to concede. Last season Braga went unbeaten through the group stage and held Bayern Munich. The last team to beat them at home in Europe was Tottenham two seasons ago but Bolton drew there last year at this stage. Portsmouth lost 2-0 in Portugal (in normal time) to Vitoria Guimaraes earlier this month and have scored in just one of their last five away games.
Prediction: Portsmouth are unlikely to win and if their poor away scoring record continues could lose.
Brave Bet: Braga to win to nil – 7/2 with Paddy Power.
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