19:00 Dynamo Kiev - AZ Alkmaar : 1 @ 1,57 Stan James
21:05 Porto - Besiktas : over @ 1,80 Pinnacle
21:05 Liverpool - Napoli : under @ 1,74 Expert
21:05 Steaua - Utrecht : under @ 1,83 Pinnacle
Thursday, November 4, 2010
04-11-2010 21:05 Paris Saint Germain - Borussia D.
Paris Saint-Germain’s home encounter against Borussia Dortmund is arguably the most eye-catching fixture of the Europa League calendar this week, with les Parisiens and BVB embroiled in a fascinating three-way scrap for two qualification positions from Group J.
At present, Antoine Kombouare’s Parisiens are in pole position, having gone unbeaten through their opening three fixtures. A shock win against Sevilla in Andalucia gave the French club the perfect start to their campaign, and that was followed up with an easy win over Karpaty. However, in Germany PSG required a late equaliser from Clement Chantome to ensure a split of the points.
The autumn was a kind time to PSG, who enjoyed a lengthy eight match unbeaten run, which encompassed a seven game streak without so much as conceding a goal. Already the winter promises to be a little harsher, with Kombouare’s men losing at home to Auxerre and then drawing in Montpellier.
But the health of the squad is good, allowing the coach to rotate for this game as he sees fit. Ahead of the Derby de France against Olympique de Marseille on Sunday, this encounter should prove an excellent warm-up, allowing out-of-form players such as Stephane Sessegnon and Guillaume Hoarau an opportunity to gain confidence before one of the most important games of the season.
In Their Prime
If PSG approach this game in something of a lull, the same certainly cannot be said of a Borussia Dortmund side who could scarcely be feeling any better about themselves. The Rhure side top the Bundesliga, having recorded a deserved 2-0 victory away in Mainz last weekend, with their goals arriving from young prodigy Mario Goetze and Lucas Barrios.
In Europe, BVB’s position is considerably more precarious. The Germans have earned only four points to date, three of which game via a fortunate opening night win over Karpaty, which saw them score twice in the final three minutes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Inevitably it was Goetz who scored the winning goal, the second of a brace.
But their luck has not since held. Against a Sevilla side reinvigorated by the arrival of Gregorio Manzano to their dugout, the Germans lost 1-0 at home, and they could not overcome PSG at the Westfalenstadion either, despite going ahead thanks to a Nuri Sahin penalty early in the second period.
Should Borussia lose at the Parc des Princes on Thursday evening, it would be the first nail into their coffin, but on the bright side, an early exit from Europe would allow them to channel all their energies towards continuing Bundesliga success, which might be best in the long term.
Prediction
PSG 1-1 Borussia D. 
04-11-2010 19:00 Juventus - Red Bull Salzburg
Juventus haven’t been exactly disastrous in the Europa League but for a club that are used to conquering Europe their performance in the continent’s second most prestigious club competition hasn’t been encouraging either.
With three draws in three matches, the Bianconeri are currently third in Group A, a point behind Lech Poznan and four behind leaders Manchester City. Indeed, one may be pardoned to believe that Luigi Del Neri’s side are trying to ‘draw their way’ into the next round of the Europa League.
However, two of those draws have come away from home and from that perspective it would be fair to say that Juve have done reasonably well not to lose two of their away fixtures. Nevertheless, la Vecchia Signora need to start wining in Europe and defeating Salzburg in Turin will be a good way to do so.
Juventus warmed up for their European adventure with a 2-1 win against Milan at San Siro in Serie A on Saturday that has put them back in the frame for the Scudetto. But Del Neri warns that they cannot afford to get complacent against the Austrians.
"Salzburg are a good team and very quick," said the Juve tactician. "They made our life difficult a fortnight ago [in a 1-1 draw]. This game will be crucial for us because a win would move us up the standings before a difficult game in Poland next time.
“We'll try to win because we want to go as far as possible in this competition as we care about Europe."
Dead And Buried
Austrian side Salzburg are pretty much out of the Europa League as stationed at the foot of the table in Group A, they have collected just one point from their three opening matches.
The 1-1 draw with Juventus a fortnight ago was the reigning Austrian champions’ first point of the season in Europe and they have to win in Turin on Thursday to sustain their already trimmed hopes of qualifying to the next round. Domestically too Salzburg are struggling as after their 1-1 draw with Rapid Vienna at the weekend they are now fifth in the Austria Bundesliga.
Coach Huub Stevens knows the task at hand and indicates that even a draw with the Bianconeri will be a good enough result, saying, "Juve would love to win, and almost need to win if they are to qualify. They need to beat us and will play to do so.
"They are a top-class team and we need to be at our absolute best to take anything back. If we take a point in Turin that is very good, but it is too little for us.''
TEAM NEWS
Juventus
The Italian giants have a whole host of injury problems. Winger Jorge Martinez has been sidelined until the new year with a foot injury, full-back Paolo De Ceglie is a long-term absentee with a knee problem and goalkeeper Alex Manninger is out with an ankle problem.
Defensive midfielder Felipe Melo too is unavailable because of injury. Del Neri has named 19 players among whom is Filippo Boniperti, grandson of club favourite Giampiero.
Salzburg
David Mendes and Ibrahim Sekagya picked up thigh problems after their game against Rapid Vienna at the weekend but goalkeeper Eddie Gustafsson returned to training on Tuesday.
Prediction
Juventus will break their sequence of draws and win against Salzburg. The Bianconeri do have a depleted squad but with Krasic in their line-up, they are a force and will be more than a match for the Austrians.
Juventus 2-0 Red Bull Salzburg 
04-11-2010 19:00 CSKA Moskva - Palermo
CSKA Moscow’s 100% record in the Europa League so far means that they are almost through to the next round of the competition. A win against Palermo at the Arena Khimki on Thursday will see them finish at least second in the group; and if Sparta Prague lose or draw against Lausanne Sports in the other game in the group, then the Russians will secure top spot.
Interestingly, the Russian side have won all their group games 3-0. A fortnight ago they created one of the upsets in the competition when they destroyed Palermo in Sicily to go five points clear of Sparta Prague in pole position of Group F.
However, the 2005 UEFA Cup winners are not taking the Sicilians with ease as they know that Delio Rossi’s side will attempt to bite back. Coach Leonid Slutski warns, "Palermo did not play as well as they could have in Italy. But they are still a serious, valid and strong team. We cannot underestimate them.''
Winning Is The Only Medicine
Palermo are currently third in Group F with three points from three matches but they are not in the best of forms right now. Since their 3-0 defeat to CSKA at the Stadio Renzo Barbera two weeks ago, the Rosanero have lost both their matches in Serie A, going down 2-1 to Udinese in Udine and then falling 1-0 to Lazio at home at the weekend.
To add to their bad patch, Palermo have lost both their away games in Europe this season (one against NK Maribor in the qualifier and the other against Sparta) and will also be without the services of Javier Pastore, Armin Bacinovic, Josip Ilicic and Abel Hernandez for the trip to Moscow.
Swiss midfielder Pajtim Kasami knows that the Aquile are up against the odds but remains confident of a result. He says, "CSKA is a great team and we will have to be focused from start to finish. We need to give our best to try to take home a win.''
Prediction
A win for Palermo especially in the absence of playmaker Pastore is hugely unlikely. The most that the Sicilians can aspire for is a draw but given CSKA's form, they should win at home with ease.
CSKA 2-0 Palermo 
04-11-2010 19:00 Lech Poznan - Manchester City
Qaulification from Group A will be a tough ask for Jacek Zieliński's side with Italian giants Juventus also in the mix. Despite the presence of the Old Lady, Poznan have had an impressive start to their European adventure and currently sit in second position in the group, with a win over Salzburg and draw against the Italians giving them hope of qualification to the knock-outs for the first time in their history.
Unlike their visitors, Poznan come into the match in a run of form. Two consecutive wins with eight goals scored in the Polish Liga is an impressive feat, but they will know that their English opponents will offer a much sterner test.
Fractured Squad
Unlike their visitors, Poznan come into the match in a run of form. Two consecutive wins with eight goals scored in the Polish Liga is an impressive feat, but they will know that their English opponents will offer a much sterner test.
Fractured Squad
"As a group of players, we let the club and the fans down at Wolves," midfielder Gareth Barry said of the defeat to Wolves. "We are sorry for that but it is only one result and as a team we are now desperate to put that right.
"The best way of doing that is on the pitch with wins, starting on Thursday in the Europa League."
Mancini will be looking for a form of European tonic come Thursday then, and will be hoping a positive result against their lowly Polish opponents can kick their season back into gear.
City remain one of seven teams in the competition that can qualify for the knockout stages irrespective of their group rivals' results, and with the array of attacking talent at his disposal, Mancini will be hoping for the win that will mean the club can start focusing on this season's primary aim: qualification for next season's Champions League.
TEAM NEWS
Lech Poznan
Striker Artjoms Rudnevs is Lech's top scorer this season with four goals in nine starts and the Latvian will spearhead the attack against the mega-rich visitors on Thursday.Semir Stilic has also shaken off a knock and should be available for selection.
Possible starting XI: Buric; Kikut, Bosacki, Arboleda, Henriquez; Peszko, Injac, Drygas, Krivets; Rudnevs, Tshibamba.
Manchester City
Top scorer and star player Carlos Tevez will not feature against the Poles as he remains in Argentina recovering from a thigh injury. That means fiery but prodigeously talented youngster Mario Balotelli is in contention to make another start for City. The 20-year-old Italian is likely to partner Emmanuel Adebayor up front.
Serbia defender Aleksander Kolarov will have a spot on the bench after Mancini confirmed the left-back has made good on his recovery from a long injury lay-off.
Possible starting XI: Hart; Richards, K Toure, Kompany, Bridge; Vieira, De Jong, Barry; A Johnson, Adebayor, Balotelli.
Top scorer and star player Carlos Tevez will not feature against the Poles as he remains in Argentina recovering from a thigh injury. That means fiery but prodigeously talented youngster Mario Balotelli is in contention to make another start for City. The 20-year-old Italian is likely to partner Emmanuel Adebayor up front.Serbia defender Aleksander Kolarov will have a spot on the bench after Mancini confirmed the left-back has made good on his recovery from a long injury lay-off.
Possible starting XI: Hart; Richards, K Toure, Kompany, Bridge; Vieira, De Jong, Barry; A Johnson, Adebayor, Balotelli.
Prediction
This will be a test of Mancini's managerial skills after a difficult week. But City will surely have too much quality for their Polish opponents on the night and should edge this.
Lech Poznan 1-2 Man City 
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