Features

English trio eye Europa progress

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 26/08/2009
Football betting

The Europa League continues on Thursday with Fulham, Everton and Aston Villa all tipped to qualify for the group stage of the competition.

There are several other interesting ties including holders Shakhtar Donetsk's clash with Turkish side Sivasspor while online favourites to win this year's competition, AS Roma, take on Kosice.

Amkar Perm v Fulham - Will the Russians' late away goal at Craven Cottage haunt Fulham as they travel into the unknown?

Despite holding a two-goal lead after their 3-1 first leg success, the Londoners may find this test a completely different proposition.

Roy Hodgson will want his men to grab an early away goal to heap pressure on the hosts and, with Andrew Johnson, Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora notching first time round, they have the firepower to do so.

Sigma Olomouc v Everton - With the Goodison Park outfit resigned to losing Joleon Lescott, the Toffees may find it difficult playing against the Czech side this week.

However, first-leg braces from Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell have surely put the tie out of sight and David Moyes will be pleased to get through the clash unscathed.

Can any of the English sides go all the way and win the inaugural Europa League? -

Aston Villa v Rapid Vienna - Villa will be looking to turn over their first leg deficit after a disappointing 1-0 defeat in the Austrian capital last week.

They will be buoyed by Monday's excellent 3-1 win at Liverpool as they aim to qualify for the group stage.

With the likes of Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, James Milner and Emile Heskey in their attacking ranks, manager Martin O'Neill has enough in his squad to win through.

Hearts v Dinamo Zagreb - The classy Croats demolished Hearts 4-0 in the Maksimir Stadium last week and the tie is as good as dead.

Manager Csaba Laszlo may consider using some of his youngsters and fringe players in order to rest his first-team stars in what will be their third game of a gruelling week. Former Liverpool man Igor Biscan scored in last week's clash and is expected to feature this time round.

Shakhtar Donetsk v Sivasspor - The reigning champions from Ukraine have one foot in the group stage after an easy 3-0 win against their Turkish counterparts in the first leg.

Coach Mircea Lucescu will want a swift and safe passage as they aim to retain their crown.

St Patrick's Athletic v Steaua Bucharest - The Irish minnows came away from the Romanian giants with a 3-0 defeat and any chance of a comeback is highly unlikely.

Tromso v Athletic Bilbao - The Spaniards face a tricky clash in Norway after a narrow 3-2 home victory. The hosts will be hoping a frosty reception will bother the visitors as they aim to cause an upset.

FK Qarabag v FC Twente - Steve McClaren's Twente side face a daunting trek to Azerbaijan after their 3-1 first leg win.

The Dutch side, who lost out in Champions League qualifying to a last-minute goal against Sporting Lisbon, will be hoping to go at least one better in this competition.

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