TFT Issue 331!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Valencia CF vs PSV Eindhoven – over 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Today’s featured game is the UEFA Europa League game in Spain between Valencia and PSV Eindhoven.
Two respective forces in European football should create a decent number of goals here, in my view. Both sides are notoriously weak at the back, especially PSV, who were recently humbled 2-6 in their own backyard by Twente Enschede. PSV do have a devastating attack when they want to although they are still rather youthful, it has to be said. Valencia have good attackers and in-form Soldado is sure to tear PSV apart here, in my view.
Despite the absence of Canales in midfield, Valencia should have more than enough to score against PSV here. The absence of Miguel at right-back gives PSV yet another avenue of opportunity to create chances and thus score goals and I don’t think they’ll disappoint, especially with Valencia tending to crumble under pressure.
For me, over 2.5 goals is the only way to approach this one.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Additional game
Manchester United vs Athletic Club de Bilbao – lay Manchester United at 3/2.
I think someone up there is trying to take the piss out of me and they’re doing a good job! For those who don’t know, these are my two favourite sides in the world and I will not enjoy this game as a result!
However, I do think there’s value in it. I’d argue the case that this is the best side that United have faced in Europe this season and they play confidently enough to show it, too. Additionally, United have been truly awful in Europe this season. I’ve watched every game and I’ve never seen United so droll and lifeless in European football on such a consistent basis. Attribute it to what you will – it’s not good enough and even an average Ajax side with limited attacking options won at Old Trafford so why not a superior and confident Athletic side?
Athletic have nothing to lose and everything to gain here. Bielsa’s side only knows how to attack so that’s what they do and they do it well, too. Muniain is a nightmare to handle and how United deal with Llorente with no Vidic should be an interesting one. Ferguson has already stated that Anderson and Cleverley are likely to feature here, which would make sense as to countering the pace that Athletic have through the middle. Are either really fit, though? I’d say not.
United have shown no interest in this competition and I expect that to continue here. Athletic have shown a lot of interest in this competition and although their defence is shocking, I find it hard to envision them leaving England without having scored at least one or two goals in this game.
I expect an overs game here but to be honest, an Athletic win would not surprise me one bit if United play their usual European game here. Athletic have more desire than United to do well here so laying United at 3/2 looks interesting here.
Verdict: Lay Manchester United at 3/2.
Team news
UEFA Europa League:
Sporting Clube de Lisboa – Joao Pereira, Rodriguez, and Nieto return. Rinaudo, Onyewu, Jeffren, Elias, Andre Martins, and Arias are absent.
Udinese – Torje, Barreto, Fernandes, Abdi, Badu, and Isla are absent. Asamoah and Basta are doubts.
Atletico Madrid – Arda Turan, Assuncao, Tiago, Silvio, Diego, and Antonio Lopez are absent.
Valencia CF – Miguel and Canales are absent.
Athletic Club de Bilbao – Castillo, Gurpegi, and Ocio are absent.
Besiktas JK – Almeida, Bebe, Tanju, Hilbert, and Ersan are absent.
Olympiakos Piraeus – Diogo and Carol Monxe are absent,