Olympique de Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk
FreeTonight, we witness an event at the Stade Velodrome that could have been so very different had Olympique de Marseille been a tad more clinical in the first leg in Ukraine. The result there was 2-0 and to be honest, I think it’ll be enough to take Shakhtar Donetsk through. They’re a lot better side than most people expect, primarly because most people are thick as pig shit. They’re full of experienced players in European football and have lots of good footballers, some of them internationals too. Mind you, I mentioned the French side missing a few chances in Ukraine in the first leg, but the hosts missed some sitters too. They may yet live to regret it, although I personally don’t think so. Both sides claimed convincing home wins at weekend which sets the tie up rather well in my eyes. I think the French side will win this game but I think the Ukrainians are good enough to score against them as well, which may well be their downfall. My call is 2-1, with Jadson to score at any time.
Elsewhere, fellow Ukrainian outfit Dynamo Kiev entertain another French side in Paris Saint-Germain. After the Ukrainian side claimed a valuable 0-0 draw in Paris, they know it’s up to them to utilise that unique home advantage – Ukraine in one of its coldest periods! I expect the home side to really go at the French side and make their recent run of form in all competitions go that bit further by winning 2-0, Aliev to score at any time.
There are two more games in the UEFA Cup tonight, one of which contains a mouth-watering tie between surprise package Hamburger SV and Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium. The Germans won the first leg 3-1 and to be honest, it could and should have been more. Manchester City suffered a humiliating home defeat at weekend, which is where they’re usually the strongest, so the game tonight doesn’t bode too well for them as I rank Hamburger SV to be as good as Fulham, if not better. I do think Manchester City may scrape the victory here, but I can’t see it happening without the Germans scoring – my call is 2-1.
The last game is between high-flying Werder Bremen of Germany and rapidly descending Udinese of Italy. The Italians have recently lost influential striker Andrea Di Natale for the remainder of the season, which is making a bad situation worse for them. The Germans, however, are in top form and will no doubt rue that they were unable to produce their current level of performance in the Champions League earlier this season. The Italian side aren’t playing well and I don’t think they’re as good as the side they’re hosting either. I think we may well witness a win against the odds tonight as I think the Germans may just steal victory in Italy tonight; 1-2 is my call, Diego to score at any time.
Thursday’s Picks
My tips:
There’s only one treble on the cards for me tonight and that’s Helsingborgs IF, Dynamo Kiev and Werder Bremen. The odds on this should be about 6/1.
UEFA Cup:
Dynamo Kiev vs Paris Saint-Germain (7) 2-0, Aliev to score at any time
Manchester City vs Hamburger SV (6) 2-1, Robinho to score first goal
Olympique de Marseille vs Shakhtar Donetsk (7) 2-1, Jadson to score at any time
Udinese vs Werder Bremen (6) 1-2, Diego to score at any time
Swedish Allsvenskan:
AIK Solna vs Malmo FF (6) 1-1
Orgryte IS Goteborg vs Orebro SK (5) 1-1
Helsingborgs IF vs Hammarby IF (8) 2-0
Trelleborgs FF vs GAIS Goteborg (6) 1-0
IF Elfsborg Boras vs Kalmar FF (7) 2-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!