Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

[McNasara]

[TABLE=class: couponTable]

[TR] [TH][/TH] [TH=class: firstColumn]Thursday 2 August 2012[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Draw[/TH] [TH]Away [/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]APOEL v Aalesunds FK (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.2 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 6 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 11 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Asteras Tripolis v Marítimo (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.37 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.3 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.75 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Athletic Bilbao v NK Slaven Belupo (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.1 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 9 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 17 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Bnei Yehuda v PAOK (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.9 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.4 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.2 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Bursaspor Kulübü v KuPS (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.7 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.6 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 4.5 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Crvena Zvezda v AC Omonia Nicosia (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.7 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.6 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 4.33 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Dundee United v Dynamo Moscow (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 4.2 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.5 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.8 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]FC Dila Gori v Anorthosis Famagusta (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.8 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.4 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.3 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]FC Twente v FK Mladá Boleslav (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.4 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 4 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 7.5 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]FK Gomel v Liverpool (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 8 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 5.25 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.3 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]FK Sarajevo v FK Zeta Golubovci (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.5 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.8 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 6 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Kalmar FF v BSC Young Boys (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.37 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.3 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.8 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Racing Genk v FK Aktobe (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.4 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 4 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 7.5 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Servette FC v Rosenborg BK (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.2 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.3 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]St. Patrick's Athletic v Hannover 96 (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 8 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 4.5 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.33 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Steaua Bucuresti v Spartak Trnava (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 1.3 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 4.5 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 10 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]SV Josko Ried v Legia Warszawa (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.4 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.25 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.75 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Videoton FC v KAA Gent (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.9 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.4 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.2 [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: row0] [TD] [/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Vojvodina v SK Rapid Wien (18:00 BST) [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 2.2 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3.3 [/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd] 3 [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

[swindonfan]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Some info on Gomel V Liverpool Am thinking of backing gomel on the Asian handicap +1 depending on the price. Liverpool dont really need to win the game a score draw would suit them fine. Then get it done at Anfield. Gomel are halfway through their league season in Belarus and are 3rd with games in hand. Belarus league is not a bad standard level with Romania in the Ueffa ranking thingy. No Suarez or Bellamy for Liverpool and Carrolls situation seems unclear under rodgers so they might be struggling up front. In my view Liverpools squad is as week as at anytime in the last 25 years Henderson,spearing Adam, Lucas, Downing, Aquillani these players just havnt been good enough. Other side of the coin is 2 of Gomels better players are in the Belarus Olympic squad so they also will miss the game.

[RedDevil92]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August St.Patricks-Hannover Hannover is just too good, quality is much higher than of the quality of the Irish team. They quality is no way better than the ones of English teams of the 4th division. Quite a few of the Irish teams were having friendlies against lower English sides and they lost almost all of those matches and not less of them with more than one goal difference. So to me the class difference is too big, the gap of these teams is too much for the Irish side who had problems against the Bosnian side. Handicap win for Hannover in my eyes. Edit: match to be played on neutral venue due to the small size of St.Patrick's home ground. Match will take place on Shamrock's home ground.

[Fedar]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Swindonfan, could you quote the price for your pick, so that we could determine if it is worth it. I personally would not bet, because although Pool are nothing special, they are still many times better than Gomel, and I don't remember them failing to beat in both legs teams like Gomel very often. Also, you didn't take into consideration that this is going to be the first game for Rodgers. Given that, and the very weak performance last season, Liverpool has a lot to prove, and I think they would want to send a message this game. My point is Liverpool are not in a position to settle with a draw and decide the tie at home - they desperately need to start winning and gaining confidence.

[McNasara]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

Edit: match to be played on neutral venue due to the small size of St.Patrick's home ground. Match will take place on Shamrock's home ground.

Pats are unbeaten in their last ten European games at their Richmond Park, but they've lost five of seven "home" European games played away from Inchicore.

[RedDevil92]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

Pats are unbeaten in their last ten European games at their Richmond Park' date=' but they've lost five of seven "home" European games played away from Inchicore.[/quote'] So that would support my bet

[Batig0l]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

St.Patricks-Hannover Hannover is just too good, quality is much higher than of the quality of the Irish team. They quality is no way better than the ones of English teams of the 4th division. Quite a few of the Irish teams were having friendlies against lower English sides and they lost almost all of those matches and not less of them with more than one goal difference. So to me the class difference is too big, the gap of these teams is too much for the Irish side who had problems against the Bosnian side. Handicap win for Hannover in my eyes. Edit: match to be played on neutral venue due to the small size of St.Patrick's home ground. Match will take place on Shamrock's home ground.

I wouldn't read into friendly results at all between Irish teams and the British teams they've played in the last few weeks. The Irish teams have not put out very strong teams in these friendlies - often putting out trialists and reserves/youth players. St Pat's will likely lose the game, but I think it will not be a huge defeat. Maybe a 2-0. St Pat's play good football under Liam Buckley and are tight in defence. The lack of home advantage for Pats however is a big disadvantage. Their stadium is not up to the UEFA standard for third qualifying round games, and so it has moved to Tallaght Stadium. This definitely weakens Pats an awful lot.

[RedDevil92]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

I wouldn't read into friendly results at all between Irish teams and the British teams they've played in the last few weeks. The Irish teams have not put out very strong teams in these friendlies - often putting out trialists and reserves/youth players. St Pat's will likely lose the game, but I think it will not be a huge defeat. Maybe a 2-0. St Pat's play good football under Liam Buckley and are tight in defence. The lack of home advantage for Pats however is a big disadvantage. Their stadium is not up to the UEFA standard for third qualifying round games, and so it has moved to Tallaght Stadium. This definitely weakens Pats an awful lot.

THose lower English sides are also playing with trialists and also testing.

[Batig0l]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

THose lower English sides are also playing with trialists and also testing.

Those being? My point still stands and remains - you cannot try and judge and compare Irish clubs against 4th tier English standard teams based on meaningless friendlies, especially when they're in the middle of the Irish season.

[RedDevil92]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August In fact, those Irish team should be or even are in better forms as thry are in their mid of the season as you mentioned while those English teams still need to find their forms as they are still preparing.

[Batig0l]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

In fact' date=' those Irish team should be or even are in better forms as thry are in their mid of the season as you mentioned while those English teams still need to find their forms as they are still preparing.[/quote'] It certainly is interesting that you continue to use 'those' without actually identifying a single specific friendly game which involved an Irish team and English team. But listen, you seem happy with your own beliefs and I'm not interested in altering your beliefs. I'll be at the game on Thursday, and I look forward to seeing Hannover play. It'll be a fun evening for St Patricks Athletic, and they'll give a good account of themselves, considering they are a semi-professional club.

[godmato]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Spartak Trnava not to score at Steaua for 1 unit @1.9. Preview is on the link down below: http://romanianbet.com/2012/08/01/steaua-bucuresti-spartak-trnava-europa-league-qualifiers/

[Batig0l]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August St Patricks Athletic -v- Hannover 96 (5/10 units) Hannover 96 -1.5 AH available at around 10/11 with various bookies. St Patricks Athletic arguably play the most attractive football in the League of Ireland and have a full team available for tomorrow's game against Hannover. This will be a very difficult game for them however, considering they are a semi-professional team and will be up against last year's quarter finalists and one of Germany's best teams. The two teams are quite literally leagues apart. That said, St. Pats are midway through their season and have been performing very well under Liam Buckley. They don't concede many, and look to play possession football. Hannover could find it difficult in their first competitive game against a match fit St. Pats team to begin with, but over the course of 90 minutes should get the job done. Now, there is a big disadvantage for St. Pats. Their home ground isn't up to the standards for UEFA for the third qualifying round, and so they have to play at Shamrock Rovers ground instead. Their home advantage is a crucial factor in my opinion. They won all their home games last season and this season in Europe, and have a pretty impressive home record overall when playing at Richmond Park. Also the Germans reportedly have 1,500 - 2,000 travelling fans coming, so it could be 50-50 in terms of support. Hannover should win this game 2-0. I'm even going to put something small on it being the correct score. -1.5 AH is a good price and so I recommend it. Good luck.

[swindonfan]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Gomel V Liverpool Under 2.5 Available at evens with Ladbrokes. Price is a little high in my view. A lot of factors point to an unders game. Liverpool lack top quality strikers no Carroll, Suarez, Bellamy and Borini has only just returned from holiday this week as has Gerard. Gerard may not start anyhow. Another major factor in favour of unders is Gomel have an awesome defensive record in the Belarus league they have been under 2.5 in 12 of their last 15 home league games and have only let in 7 goals in 15 games. Also they dont score many either just 19 in 15 games this season. Liverpool last season were very sound defensively and have essentially the same back 4 if they are selected. Reina may start or maybe not. Gomel have their best Defender with the Belarus Olympic side but despite that the weight of the evidence seems strongly in favour of under 2.5.

[Fedar]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

Gomel V Liverpool Under 2.5 Available at evens with Ladbrokes. Price is a little high in my view. A lot of factors point to an unders game. Liverpool lack top quality strikers no Carroll, Suarez, Bellamy and Borini has only just returned from holiday this week as has Gerard. Gerard may not start anyhow. Another major factor in favour of unders is Gomel have an awesome defensive record in the Belarus league they have been under 2.5 in 12 of their last 15 home league games and have only let in 7 goals in 15 games. Also they dont score many either just 19 in 15 games this season. Liverpool last season were very sound defensively and have essentially the same back 4 if they are selected. Reina may start or maybe not. Gomel have their best Defender with the Belarus Olympic side but despite that the weight of the evidence seems strongly in favour of under 2.5.

Totally agree with you. Liverpool are quite impotent up-front anyway, and without Suarez and Bellamy they will have to rely on people like Downing and Henderson...Probably Pool will sneak the win, but I don't see many goals here for sure. I don't know how relevant this is, but two years ago in a similar early encounter Liverpool defeated Rabotnicki Macedonia by 2:0. However, Gomel is stronger, so unders are tempting at this big price.

[godmato]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August This is what I can say about Rapid: http://romanianbet.com/2012/08/01/heerenven-rapid-bucuresti-europa-league/ Dutch friends, what is your opinion on Heerenven? Thank you!

[gogoto]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August In the Vysshaya Liga FC Gomel have the best defence home as well as total (home 3 4 1, 9:4 and total 9 4 2, 19:7). Who will score for Reds? Brendan Rodgers has left Andy Carroll out of the squad as this could cup-tie the striker for his new employer and new forward Fabio Borini (and Gerrard) just arrived from holidays. Bellamy and Suarez is occupied with the OL (together with Gomels best defender) and btw.: Anything news about Daniel Agger flirt with Real, Barca and City ? Think I will look for a nice draw and definately under 2.5. Consider 10/10 for both especially if Pool can rely on the same back4 as last season. GL.

[BelgianPunter]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Videoton-Gent Videoton line-up: Bozovic,Alvaro,Vinicius,Caneira,Tavares,Toth,Sandor,Mitrovic,Gyurcso,Oliveira,Nikolic Gent line-up: Padt,Rafinha,Melli,Arzo,Maréval,Gecov,N'Diaye,Conté,Messoudi,Arbitman,Brûls Videoton injuries/suspensions: ? Gent injuries/suspensions: Kola,Boere,Mboyo,Thijs I post this information for the betters who are betting on this match Racing Genk-FK Aktobe Genk line-up: Köteles,Fernandez,Anele,Nadson,Tshimanga,Buffel,Hyland,Gorius,Monrose,Vossen,Benteke Aktobe line up: Gidelnikov,Badlo,Primus,Logivinenko,Kenzhisarev,Smakov,Kapadze,Khayrullin,Kovalchuk,Bikmaev,Bajer Genk injuries/suspensions: Sandomierski,Koulibaly,Joneleit,Simaeys Aktobe injuries/suspensions: ? I will take here the over 2.5 @ 1.71 Genk misses 3 defenders: Joneleit, Simaeys and Koulibaly. So there they are vulnerable. But Vossen and Benteke are quite good, and they are the ideal match together. Genk played in their first game of the season 3-3 against Cercle Brugge (2 goals Benteke, 1 Vossen) Aktobe played in the second qualifying round against Milsami-Ursidos (Away: 4-2, Home 3-0) :hope

[McNasara]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Uh, I am still researching choice for today (not easy tbh). But in the meantime, here are thoughts about "my" clubs. Crvena Zvezda were desperate in the last round against Naftan and now wait even more difficult opponent. Meanwhile they worked closed training sessions, and has announced several changes in the first team. What is certain is that team has talent, but no stability at the beginning of the season. On the other side, this is the first official match for Omonia this season, but they're solid in friendly matches. They will miss some important players (such as Efrem, key mf) and will also have about 35 thousand fans against them tonight. Hope for home win (@2.00), but I'm not taking anything. St Patrick's are definitely a class below the Hanover, but... Pats are in the middle of the season and full of confidence as the only remaining Irish team in Europe. The Germans haven't played an official game this season and have not brilliant in friendly matches. It also is well known that they play much better at home. But the main fact for me is their defense: Pogatetz (key df) move to Wolfsburg and newcomer (his replacement) Felipe is injured. So I can see a goal for home team and perhaps the best option for me is both teams to score (@2.20), but as in the previous match -don't take anything tonight.

[Alexc]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Vitesse AH + 2 and Gomel AH + 2 double @ 1.78 (Bet365) Small stakes, as I haven't researched these too much, they just look like decent plays. Anzi Makhachkala don't strike me as the sort of team that blows other sides away, at home. Under Hiddink they've had two big away wins, 3-0 at Spartak and 4-0 in the last round of this competition, but their biggest home victories so far would of seen these bets push at worst, and both games had late goals. A big factor in this bet is that they're playing at a neutral ground, which seemed to impact their last home performance. Vitesse are a solid Dutch side, and had a comfortable victory in the previous round. 0-3 seems unlikely to me. Not really that informed about Gomel, but from the comments on this thread they don't seem too bad defensively. This pick is more about Liverpool though. Only Borini as an experienced recognised striker, and again, a 3-0 defeat for the home team seems highly unlikely.

[McNasara]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

Dutch friends' date=' what is your opinion on Heerenven? Thank you![/quote'] Heerenveen have fairly new team compared to last season. They've lost several key players, actually they're Dost (league topscorer with 32 goals in 34 games), Narsingh (league top assistant with 22ass in 34 games, 8 goals scored), Elm (reg mf), Breuer and Janmaat (reg defenders). Only adequate replacement is in defense, Kum arrived from Den Haag. It should be added that a new coach is Marco van Basten who was more famous as a player. As a consequence Heerenveen have recorded poor results in friendlies and I don't know what to expect from them tonight.

[pacaan1209]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Dundee United - Dynamo Moscow Dynamo Moscow started their season in awful manner. They lost to pushovers Volga 1-0 and then lost to Zenit 2-0. Some key players left them (Voronin and Samedov). MIcroclimate is awful inside the team. Problems started in the spring, when there was a conflict between head coach and some group of key players and seems that it last in present. Dynamo can´t find their game, which results in absence of action in front of opponents goal. To talk about Dundee. Although they were 3rd team in Scottish League by scored goals in the League last season, they are still Scottish team. I haven´t seen all of the games last season, but those which I could seen it was terrible "high ball" game (I mean Dundee United). This game will suit for Dynamo in defence, cause they have bought Gordon Schildenfeld who is very tall and they have Rykov, who is also big guy. As it is a first leg, teams will be propably more patient and accurate. Conceding a goal might be a vital. Under 2,5 @1,75 (bet365)

[Simplicio]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August I think that Arsenal Kiev are worhty at -1.25 @ 1.62 at bet365 ,simply the Ukrainian side are much better than Mura 05.Everybody knows they have huge finnancial problems and only the problems and the lack of class in front of goal by CSKA Sofia last round helped them to qualify ,but i'm sure that the ukranian side will take this seriously and will win this by 2 or more goals.Also they started the campaign in Ukraine with two of the best teams and they lost but in the last match they beated Zarya away comfortable 3;1. So all in one I think Mura05 had too much luck in the past rounds and today everything will came to an end for them.

[McNasara]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August @Simplicio good first post and :welcome

[McNasara]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Ried vs Legia Warsaw Ried were in the middle of the table, but were placed in Europe as they played a cup final last season. They lost Rotpuller (reg df), mf duo Beichler and Lex, Nacho Casanova (reg fw), but brought Reiter (df) and Schicker (mf) from Wiener Neustadt, Gartler (fw) from Rapid and Walch (mf) from Kaiserslautern. Although team seem to be weaker than last season, this is definitely a great football day for a small town with about 10 thousand inhabitants. But it is true that Ried started poorly this season: they're hardly kicked out Belarusian Sahtor in last round (1:1 and 0:0), followed by a defeat against promoted team last weekend (0:2 at home). Regular strikers Gartler and Nacho are very doubtful, as well as Hinum (reg mf). Legia finished last season in third place (with just three points behind champions) and won the Cup. Team hasn't changed much from last season, no significant departures but experienced Suler (df) and Saganowski (fw) have arrived there. They were better than the Latvian Ventspils in the last round (2:2 and 5:1). All important players are ready because Vrdoljak (mf, captain) and Ljuboja (fw, topscorer last season) recovered. It is true Poland Ekstraklasa has not yet started, but Legia will have a great support tonight (their fans are known for hooliganism, will be over 1000 away fans versus 500 police officers there:) ), so I expect a better team to win already in the first leg. Legia @2.60 Stan James min stake

[HastGill1]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

St Patricks Athletic -v- Hannover 96 (5/10 units) Hannover 96 -1.5 AH available at around 10/11 with various bookies. St Patricks Athletic arguably play the most attractive football in the League of Ireland and have a full team available for tomorrow's game against Hannover. This will be a very difficult game for them however, considering they are a semi-professional team and will be up against last year's quarter finalists and one of Germany's best teams. The two teams are quite literally leagues apart. That said, St. Pats are midway through their season and have been performing very well under Liam Buckley. They don't concede many, and look to play possession football. Hannover could find it difficult in their first competitive game against a match fit St. Pats team to begin with, but over the course of 90 minutes should get the job done. Now, there is a big disadvantage for St. Pats. Their home ground isn't up to the standards for UEFA for the third qualifying round, and so they have to play at Shamrock Rovers ground instead. Their home advantage is a crucial factor in my opinion. They won all their home games last season and this season in Europe, and have a pretty impressive home record overall when playing at Richmond Park. Also the Germans reportedly have 1,500 - 2,000 travelling fans coming, so it could be 50-50 in terms of support. Hannover should win this game 2-0. I'm even going to put something small on it being the correct score. -1.5 AH is a good price and so I recommend it. Good luck.

I'm with you on this. Whichever way you look at it this is a massive mismatch, if St Pats were playing at their home ground I would say the line is a bit of a stretch but the fact is they're not. Been playing with this one in my head for a few days but there aren't many reasons not to take it on. Semi professional against professional does make a big difference, we have seen this many times in all these qualifiers so far. For St Pats Dean Kelly (groin) and Stephen O’Flynn, who scored the crucial away goal in Iceland against IBV, has a broken rib and they will both miss the game, Hannover have Felipe, Hiroki Sakai out and Adrian Nikci is a doubt. I'm not going to pretend to know much about Hannover, but the main concern is obviously that they're not match fit yet (which they probably ain't!) but they have been playing a fair few friendlies, including one using the same Umbro balls that will be used tonight. I doubt very much if St Pats would have got this far if they hadn't been playing games on their home pitch, their journey will certainly end against the Germans but what will the score difference be over the two legs? I can't see them 'taking it easy', not really in the German mentality and this is still an important game for them, watched plenty of these qualifiers this season and Fenerbahce last night were the first side I've seen massively underperform to what expectations were. Most won't be surprised to know I'm on the clean sheet bet again, this is an obvious game to play it in, St Pats won't have much of the ball in advanced areas and they are hardly prolific in front of goal anyway. There is obviously always the chance they could nick one but thats why its gambling, at 1.9 I'm willing to take the chance, I would have it nearer 1.6 based on previous experience of these games. Hannover Clean Sheet - 1.87-1.9 - betfair - 12.5 Points Hannover -1AH - 1.45 - bet365 - 10 Points Hannover -1EH - 1.9 - ladbrokes - 5 Points If I remember correctly MaierhofersNeck was pretty good with calling the Irish sides in Europe last year, hopefully the run will continue.

[blackcrow]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Liverpool -1.5 @ 2.42 pinnacle Liverpool will set out to start their season on a good note as the plaeyrs will be keen to impress their new manager, while the manager himself will be looking to win over the fans who would not expect too many problems with this game. They are coming off two good hitouts against Tottenham and Roma for this game, and looked quite sharp in these friendlies, with Rodgers already making an impression in the way they play. While Suarez and Bellamy are out, and Carroll has stayed in England, it does give an opportunity for the likes of Borini to press his claims, while Downing in particular will be wanting to make up for a poor showing last year. In midfield, it looks like Lucas and Gerrard will start while the back four should be solid once again. Though they may be lacking some match fitness, they do have a class edge over Gomel and believe the players will be tuned in to a big effort first up for their new manager

[HastGill1]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

Vitesse AH + 2 and Gomel AH + 2 double @ 1.78 (Bet365)

I watched the first leg of Makhachkala's last round match and they weren't really at the races, hence I was quite surprised they blew them away in the second leg. Not enough creativity in the midfield, Eto is obviously their best player by a mile but he didn't get a great amount of service. Vitesse looked decent in the last round (home leg) against Locomotiv Plodiv, but the opposition weren't up to much. I think it's fairly likely both will score as Vitesse are fairly 'overs' like a lot of Dutch sides.

[Batig0l]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August

I'm with you on this. Whichever way you look at it this is a massive mismatch, if St Pats were playing at their home ground I would say the line is a bit of a stretch but the fact is they're not. Been playing with this one in my head for a few days but there aren't many reasons not to take it on. Semi professional against professional does make a big difference, we have seen this many times in all these qualifiers so far. For St Pats Dean Kelly (groin) and Stephen O’Flynn, who scored the crucial away goal in Iceland against IBV, has a broken rib and they will both miss the game, Hannover have Felipe, Hiroki Sakai out and Adrian Nikci is a doubt. I'm not going to pretend to know much about Hannover, but the main concern is obviously that they're not match fit yet (which they probably ain't!) but they have been playing a fair few friendlies, including one using the same Umbro balls that will be used tonight. I doubt very much if St Pats would have got this far if they hadn't been playing games on their home pitch, their journey will certainly end against the Germans but what will the score difference be over the two legs? I can't see them 'taking it easy', not really in the German mentality and this is still an important game for them, watched plenty of these qualifiers this season and Fenerbahce last night were the first side I've seen massively underperform to what expectations were. Most won't be surprised to know I'm on the clean sheet bet again, this is an obvious game to play it in, St Pats won't have much of the ball in advanced areas and they are hardly prolific in front of goal anyway. There is obviously always the chance they could nick one but thats why its gambling, at 1.9 I'm willing to take the chance, I would have it nearer 1.6 based on previous experience of these games. Hannover Clean Sheet - 1.87-1.9 - betfair - 12.5 Points Hannover -1AH - 1.45 - bet365 - 10 Points Hannover -1EH - 1.9 - ladbrokes - 5 Points If I remember correctly MaierhofersNeck was pretty good with calling the Irish sides in Europe last year, hopefully the run will continue.

Cheers for your comments on the game. I think you will make a lot of money tonight. Very good chance of a clean sheet too. St Pats will play with Fagan up front on his own, and although he is a very bright young player who deserves another shot in England, I think if Hannover's defence cannot handle him, they should be ashamed of themselves. I don't think O'Flynn and Dean Kelly's absences weaken St. Pats at all however. If you asked any of their fans to pick a starting xi, they'd pick the one which will start tonight.

[fpicks00]

Re: Third qualifying round, 1st leg > 2 August Europe League Anzhi - Vitesse Anzhi is playing good in Europe League,in league they didnt start so good ... in last game they lost one of their key strikers Traore who get injury and he will be out around 3 weeks,that is big blow for Anzhi. Vitesse past very easy previous stage,they used Loko's financial problems and past stage very easy. Today Vitesse will miss Kalas, Hofs, Büttner Anzhi:Gabulov – Logashov, Joao Carlos, Samba, Tagirbekov - Boussoufa, Ahmedov, Jucilei, Shatov - Eto’o, Smolov Vitesse:Velthuizen, Van Aanholt, Van der Struijck, Kašija, Van Ginkel, Cziommer, Pröpper, Yasuda, Reis, Ibarra, Bony Steaua - Spartak Trnava Steaua's coach want big home win today. They are big favourites in this match,today they are going with attacking formation 4-2-3-1 (with 3-4 strikers ..) . + they will have big support from their fans around 21.000 tickets are sold ! Spartak will also have their support,300 away fans came to Romania to support Spartak Trnava. before 4 days Spartak Trnava play match in league with Myjava in that match Spartak Trnava play 25minutes with 10mens in field so players are little tired after that. Today Spartak will miss Ciprys, Vyskočil(last season top scorer), Koubsky is doubtful, Schranz, Derras and Djiby Ba. my pick: Steaua 1,5 over Arsenal Kiev - Mura after more than 10years Arsenal Kiev is back in Europe League. But Arsenal will have problems in team for today match,they miss Khomin(df 17/0),Florescu(mf 22/2),Lampi(df 12/1) and striker Quansah. Coach must rotate much in defence because 2 regulars are out. Mura play closed in all matches in Europe League and all matches finish under 2,5 goals ... Mura also will have problem today,they will miss top scorer Fajic who is suspeded. Mura have financial problems but atmphsfere in club is good Gomel - Liverpool match of the season for Gomel,they will face with big english club Liverpool,stadium will be full! Gomel play great in previous stages,they won Vikingur (10-0 total) and Renova(2-1 total) maybe result with Renova isnt so big but they rest players in second match so ... Gomel today will miss 3 key players,out are first gk Ostojovic, defender Kuzmenjok and striker Aleksijevic. Liverpool also have some important missings like Bellamy, Coates, Suarez, Carroll,while Gerrard is doubtful. + Maxy Rodriguez,Dirk Kuyt,Aquilani and Joe Cole left club. So coach will mmust rotate squad ... Sarajevo - Zeta Stadium today will be full,great atmphosfere on stadium. atmphosfere in Sarajevo is very good,all players are very motivated before the match. Zeta made great results in EuropeLeague,many away fans will came today to give motivation plus to their players. Zeta is team with many experienced and quality players who play together long time. Asteras Tripolis - Maritimo quality on away side. Asteras didnt know that they will play in Europe league,they are here because AEK have financial problems. Asteras didnt made some great preparations they didnt sign some new quality players for Europe Leauge so that is problem for them. Bartollini is injured and wont play in today match Maritimo was big suprise last season for everybody... but they are playing very good attacking football so they have quality and experience for Europe League,today they will miss Olberdam and Pouga. Asteras:Bantis, Pipinis, Sankare, Formica, Alvarez, Usero, Rayo, Juanito, Tsambouris, Navaro, Perrone