Previews

Victory vital for Cottagers

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 03/12/2009
Football betting

Fulham will be aiming to kick-start their faltering Europa League campaign on Thursday evening with a winnable clash at Craven Cottage against rock-bottom Group E outfit CSKA Sofia.

Roy Hodgson's men picked up a point in Bulgaria in September and the Londoners must claim a victory to keep their chances of progression alive as they remain one of the sportsbook outsiders to claim the silverware at the end of the campaign.

They cruelly lost to AS Roma last time out after leading through a Diomansy Kamara penalty before striker Erik Nevland was harshly sent off for a mis-timed tackle on Daniele De Rossi just four minutes after coming on as a substitute at the start of the second half.

The Italian giants made their numerical advantage count and second-half goals by John Arne Riise and Okaka Chuka sealed the win for the hosts in the Italian capital. Paul Konchesky also received his marching orders late in the day to add insult to injury.

Nevland and Konchesky will miss the Craven Cottage showdown through suspension following their dismissals but defender Brede Hangeland is hopeful they can win to prolong their stay in the competition.

He said: "If we want to go through we need to win the game on Thursday. There's no doubt about that. I think we've worked hard and we haven't really got the points we've deserved.

"At the moment, especially up front, there are a few injuries and I think Erik Nevland is suspended, so it will be interesting to see who plays up front."

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AS Roma themselves entertain Basel, who lead the way after four group games and Fulham take on the Swiss side in the final round of fixtures later this month.

Last season's winners Shakhtar Donetsk welcome Club Brugge to the Dombass Arena and, with four wins from four and qualification guaranteed, the Ukrainian outfit will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of Group J.

Toulouse face Partizan Belgrade and a win is required for the French team to keep their dreams of progressing alive.

Werder Bremen, who lost to Shakhtar in the UEFA Cup Final last term, have started their European quest well again this year and, with ten points from four games to date, sit top of Group L.

They host Nacional while fellow group rivals Austria Vienna and Athletic Bilbao meet up.

PSV can secure their passage in Group K with a win against Sparta Prague while FC Copenhagen entertain CFR Cluj.

Galatasaray and Panathinaikos clash in Turkey with both teams leading the way in Group F in what could be an explosive affair.

Dinamo Bucharest take on Sturm Graz with both looking out of their depth this term.

Group D leaders Sporting Lisbon are already through to the next stage and Heerenveen make the trip to Portugal.

The Dutch outfit, alongside FK Ventspils and Hertha Berlin, who meet in Latvia, all have a chance to grab the vital second place that would secure a place in the next stage.

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