NEBOJŠA PAVLOVIĆ (KORTRIJK, BELGIJA 1)

Lirs ima samo jedan bod posle šest odigranih utakmica, a ni Vesterlo sa pet ne stoji mnogo bolje. Ipak, domaćinu na ovom meču dajem veliku prednost, jer bi pobedom krenuo ka sredini tabele, a gostujuću ekipu zakucao za samo dno.
Westerlo - Lierse 1

Favorit je i Genk u duelu sa Lokerenom, a Gent i Varegem će verovatno odigrati utakmicu sa većim brojem golova.
Racing Genk - Sporting Lokeren 1
Gent - Zulte Waregem 3+

Na utakmici Serkl Briž - Sent Truden biće golova na obe strane, a Mehelen i Standard bi mogli da odigraju u intervalu 2-3
Cercle Brugge - Sint Truiden GG
Mechelen - Standard 2-3

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UEFA - Europe League preview (English teams)

Red Bull Salzburg v Manchester City

• Manchester City have lost three and drawn one of their last four games away from home in European competition (not including qualifiers).
• This will be the first time that City have faced an Austrian side in Europe (excl. qualifiers).
• Red Bull Salzburg have faced an English side on just two occasions in Europe (excl. qualifiers), drawing one and losing one of their 2006 UEFA Cup matches against Blackburn in 2006.
• Salzburg won all six of their group stage matches in the Europa League last season.
  Manchester City have lost only once in their last seven competitive fixtures.
• Away from home, City have lost just once in their last nine games in all competitions.
• Salzburg have won just four of their 12 competitive matches so far this season.

Liverpool v Steaua Bucharest

• Liverpool have faced Steaua Bucharest on two previous occasions, winning once and drawing once in a 2003 UEFA Cup tie.
• The Reds have lost just once in 13 meetings with Romanian sides in Europe (excl. qualifiers) - this coming back in 1966 away against Petrolul Ploesti (1-3).
• Liverpool defeated Romanian side Unirea Urziceni home (1-0) and away (3-1) last season in the Europa League.
• Steaua have won just one of their last six meetings in Europe with an English side, this coming in 2006 at home against Middlesbrough.
• Liverpool have lost only one of their eight competitive matches under Roy Hodgson.
• After winning six of their opening seven competitive matches this season, Steaua have drawn one and lost one of their last two.
• Steaua have won none of their last 25 games in European competition (exc. qualifiers).

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16.09. (Thu) 19:00 Aris - Atletico Madrid

Spanish Connections

Amongst the clutch of early kick-offs in the Europa League on Thursday night, reigning champions Atletico Madrid will get their campaign underway in Thessaloniki, where they meet an Aris side who finished fourth in Super League Greece last term.

There is no shortage of European experience in the dugout of the Greek outfit, where they are commanded by former Valencia coach Hector Cuper, who unfortunately saw los Che lose successive Champions League finals under his stewardship.

On the field, Aris don’t command such well known faces, though Freddy Adu can be counted amongst their ranks, despite the American’s recent slump in form that has seen him tumble from a highly touted talent to a forgotten man.

A sprinkling of Spaniards in the Aris ranks will certainly be keen to make an impression against a side doing so well in their homeland. Former Barcelona B midfielders Javito and Toni Calvo should be convened in the first XI come Thursday evening, while ex-Malaga and Olympique de Marseille No.10 Koke is liable to play a key role in the offence.

With plenty of connections to La Primera, Aris have plenty of motivation to secure a good result.

Minds On Barca?

While Aris can afford to think largely about this game, already Atletico Madrid may be letting their minds wander from the competition they won so impressively last season. A strong start domestically has them with a 100 per cent record after two games, topping the Spanish table, with some pundits already starting to muse over los Colchoneros’ ability to remain there.

Moreover, Sunday brings with it a massive test for Quique Sanchez Flores’ side, who will line-up against Barcelona in the first real acid test of their abilities. Understandably that will take top billing in the minds of all at the Madrid club, and already the press are hounding the players with their thoughts of that fixture as opposed to their musings over Aris.

Alvaro Dominguez has been one player to comment on the Europa League, and the young defender has said that his side will fight tooth and nail to succeed in it. “It is clear that the league is what feeds the club and we know that our main goal is to be in the top four in the league but we do not rule out the other competitions,” he explained to Marca. “The team is good, has a good squad and we intend to fight in all competitions.”

After a tremendous victory over Athletic Bilbao in Pamplona last weekend – a venue that neither Barca nor Real Madrid claimed three points at last term – confidence should be high that the momentum can continue on Thursday, though it will probably be fringe men sent out to do the job.

TEAM NEWS

Aris

Suspensions will prove an issue for Aris, who have already played four European games this season, seeing off Jagiellonia Bialystok and Austria Vienna. Juan Carlos Toja, Neto and Danijel Cesarec, all of whom have been regular starters this season, miss out.

Alvaro Portilla, who was transferred to Aris from Atletico in the summer, may get his chance to excel.

Probable Starting XI: Sifakis; Vangjeli, Guiaro, Lazaridis, Michel; Javito, Nafti, Portilla, Calvo; Koke, Carlos Ruiz

Atletico

No risks will be taken with the fitness of Sergio Aguero, who was withdrawn early from the encounter against Athletic Bilbao due to an ankle sprain. It’s looking likely that he’ll be fit for Barcelona though.

Another man missing is Tomas Ujfalusi, though there is also genuine hope that he returns in time for Sunday’s big match.

Expect to see significant rotation from Quique Sanchez Flores to keep his men in prime condition.

Probable Starting XI: De Gea; Perea, Godin, Antonio Lopez, Filipe; Merida, Camacho, Suarez, Simao; Diego Costa, Diego Forlan

Prediction

It would be a little hasty to consider this a match that will be easily won by Atletico. With Barcelona forthcoming, changes will be made in their squad and it should not be forgotten that Aris are unbeaten at home in Europe since 1970 – a run stretching 21 games. The Greeks will have a hard time making it 22, but with the home support behind them and an incredibly motivated squad, a draw should not be discounted.

Aris Thessaloniki 1-2 Atletico Madrid

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16.09. (Thu) 19:00 Sparta Praha - Palermo

Looking For Some Luck

Czech side Sparta Prague are competing in the group stage of the UEFA Cup/Europa League for the fourth time in five years but have yet to progress beyond the group phase in Europe's second level club competition.
The Czech champions are currently third in the league in the new season with 15 points from eight games. This is certainly not a great start to the campaign but they will be keen to resurrect themselves against Palermo at home on Thursday.
"We had several observers at Palermo's games against Cagliari and at Brescia,'' said Sparta coach Jozef Chovanec. "We have been watching the tapes and we are ready."

Kickstarting Their Season

Palermo narrowly missed out on a Champions League place last season when they pipped to the fourth spot in Serie A by Sampdoria. The Sicilians also lost a few key players this summer and have made their worst start to a league campaign since gaining promotion to Italy's top-flight six years ago.
Having drawn 0-0 with Cagliari and losing 3-2 to Brescia in their opening two games of the new league season, Palermo need to conjure up something on Thursday and breathe life into their season and striker Abel Hernandez knows that.
"We have struggled in the domestic campaign so far,'' he said. "We know we need to improve in every aspect of our game. We will try to change the trend in our next games. A win in Prague could be the turning point for us.''
He added, "We have the right players to do well. It will be crucial to take small steps, focusing on each game in order to go through to the next round.I am certain we will go far in this competition.''


TEAM NEWS

Sparta Prague

Juraj Kucka, Marek Matejovsky and Stepan Vachousek are suspended.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Blazek, A. Bondoa, Hoheneder, Hejda, Pamic; Kladrubsky; Sionko, Jeslinek, Lacny, Krejci; Wilfred

Palermo

Coach Delio Rossi will be without strikers Fabrizio Miccoli and Mauricio Pinilla, who are still sidelined through injury. Midfielder Antonio Nocerino is suspended.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Sirigu, Cassani, Munoz, Bovo, Balzaretti; Migliaccio, Liverani, Kasami; Pastore; Hernandez, Maccarone

Prediction

This game is likely to end in a draw.

Sparta Praha 1-1 Palermo

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16.09. (Thu) 19:00 Juventus - Lech Poznan

Hoping For A Win
Juventus underwent a mini-revolution of sorts in the summer when they appointed Luigi Del Neri as their new coach and also signed a number of new players. The Bianconeri are supposedly a better and stronger side than they were last season but their start to the 2010-11 campaign has been disappointing.

After losing 1-0 to Bari away from home in their maiden game in Serie A, the former Italian and European champions were held to a 3-3 draw by Sampdoria in Turin. Indeed, Juventus will be determined to make a winning start to the Europa League on Thursday as they are one of the favourites to go far in the competition.

"It's a difficult competition, with many high-level teams like Liverpool and Manchester City also in the tournament,'' said striker Alessandro Del Piero ahead of the game. "It will not be easy for any team to go all the way.''

Underdog Status
Lech Poznan are not expected to do much in the Europa League and indeed in a group that also has Manchester City and Salzburg the Polish champions wouldn't expect themselves to progress. Jacek Zielisnki's side lost to Sparta Prague in the Champions League third qualifying round and were subsequently 'relegated' to the Europa League group stage.

However, the status of an underdog means that Lech will travel to Turin without pressure of any kind and even a point against Juventus will be hailed as a success.

"I think Juve may underestimate our abilities and may not be fully focused for the upcoming match,'' said midfielder Sergei Krivets. "If that is the case, we will have a great chance to come back home with a decent result.''

He added, "It is a very difficult group. But at the same time it is also a very attractive one. "We know that we are outsiders in this group but we will do our best and try to get good results."

TEAM NEWS

Juventus

Summer signing Quagliarella is not eligible to play in the Europa League, meaning that Del Piero will line up alongside Iaquinta in attack. Buffon, Martinez, Amauri and Traore are out as well.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Storari, Motta, Bonucci, Chiellini, De Cegli; Krasic, Felipe Melo, Marchisio, Pepe; Iaquinta, Del Piero


Lech Poznan

Serbian midfielder Dimitrije Injac is back after shaking off a muscular problem but might not start. However, Zielinski will be without striker Jacek Kielb, who is injured.
Probable Lineup (4-3-2-1): Buric, Wojtkowiak, Arboleda, Durdevic, Henriquez; Bandrowski, Krivets, Stilic; Kikut, Kiełb; Tshibamba

Prediction

Juventus should win this game but it doesn't promise to be a very convincing one.

Juventus 1-0 Lech Poznan

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