Tuesday, August 23, 2011

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23.08. (Tue) 20:45 Villarreal - Odense

PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Villarreal (4-3-1-2):
Lopez; Mario, Musacchio, Zapata, Oriol; Bruno, Marchena, Cani, Valero; Nilmar, Rossi

With vice-captain Gonzalo Rodriguez still out after the broken fibula he sustained in April, Matteo Musacchio is set to continue in his place, as the Yellow Submarine look to start with the side that lost to Niels Thorborg's men last week. Following their appearances last week, Villarreal will look to Giuseppe Rossi and Nilmar in attack.

Odense (4-2-3-1):
Wessels; Ruud, Christensen, Reginiussen, Ruud; Sorensen, Djemba-Djemba; Johansson, Andreasen, Kadrii; Utaka

After resting many of the more recognisable names at the weekend, a more familiar side is set to line up in El Madrigal. After his stellar performance last Wednesday, Stefan Wessls can be assured of a starting berth for the Scandinavians, while Kalilou Traore could miss out despite scoring at the weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

Villarreal qualified for the Champions League in their only previous appearance in the preliminary rounds, defeating Everton 4-2.

Only Marcos Senna, the Villarreal captain, remains from the team that started the side's 2006 Champions League semi-final draw against Arsenal at El Madrigal.

Villarreal defeated Odense in the second round of the 2004-05 Intertoto Cup, progressing with a 5-0 aggregrate victory over their opponents.

Odense have participated in Europe in all but one of the previous six years, their best showing a fourth-place finish in the Uefa Cup group stage in 2006-07

Spanish opponents have become familiar to the Danish club, who have recorded defeats against the likes of Osasuna, Getafe and Villarreal themselves.

Despite previous defeats to Spanish clubs in Europe, Odense recorded a surprise 2-0 victory in the Santiago Bernabeu in 1994-95, defeating a Real Madrid side that featured then-Denmark captain Michael Laudrup, to reach the Uefa Cup quarter-final.

Prediction
A sublime performance from Stefan Wessels last week guided his side to a clean sheet last week, but home advantage is likely to be key for the Yellow Submarine, who should ease to victory against their visibly weaker opponents.
Editor's Prediction
Villarreal 2-0 Odense