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Europa League returns

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 22/10/2009
Football betting

English hopes in the UEFA Europa League lie with Fulham and Everton as they get back into action following an international break.

The Cottagers have a home clash to look forward to against Italian giants AS Roma who are struggling to make an impact in Serie A this term.

The Romans are now guided by a familiar face in Claudio Ranieri and he returns to London after managing the Cottagers' city rivals Chelsea.

Fulham successfully dismantled Hull City on Monday evening 2-0 and this should give them confidence as they seek to maintain their impressive unbeaten home record in the competition.

Julio Baptista, formerly of Arsenal, should feature in the visiting line-up.

Can Fulham overcome the odds and beat AS Roma? - Latest Football Betting

Everton face a tough trip to Portugal as they look forward to competing against Benfica.

This will be the first time the two sides have met and with Everton gaining back-to-back victories in Group I, the Merseysiders may well be confident of continuing their winning trend on the continent.

Despite this, the Lisbon Eagles will be convinced they can gather the vital three points to put pressure on Everton at the summit of the group and they may take heart from the fact they have defeated the Toffee's city rivals Liverpool in their last three meetings.

Benfica, with home advantage, are the online sportsbook favourites to walk away with a victory.

Celtic must make home advantage count this time round as they compete against Germany's Hamburg.

After losing on matchday one against Hapoel Tel Aviv and following this up with a score draw against Rapid Vienna, the Hoops sit bottom of their group with a solitary point.

Tony Mowbray will know his side must pick up three points to kick-start their European adventure but the illustrious visitors will be gunning to give themselves breathing space and with Ze Roberto, Paolo Guerrero and Marcus Berg in their attacking ranks, Bruno Labbadia's men could add more misery on the Glasgow side.

Elsewhere Hertha Berlin need a win against Heerenveen as they sit bottom of Group D on just one point while Lille and Genoa clash in Group B and any winner of this clash will forge clear with Valencia at the top of the table.

Former England manager Steve McClaren takes his FC Twente team to FC Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova.

The Dutch outfit are sitting pretty at the top of Group H on four points from two games while the Moldovan champions are rooted at the foot and are without a goal from their opening fixtures.

Last season's winners Shakhtar Donetsk face a tricky clash against Toulouse in Ukraine, while the losing finalists Werder Bremen travel to Austria Vienna.

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