Anorthosis vs Werder Bremen

Tom Allen was right in suggesting that Anorthosis were an underestimated team as they secured a 2-2 draw at home against the Germans Werder Bremen

Manchester United couldn’t get the job done in Spain last night but there was always a chance their game against Villarreal would meander to a goalless draw and that’s exactly how it proved. No such worries tonight in Cyprus however where Champions League newcomers Anorthosis take on Werder Bremen. It’s still all to play for in Group B and I’m astonished how short the German side are to prevail.

The pair met on Matchday 1 in Bremen when neither side were unable to break the deadlock but it is Temuri Ketsbaia’s side who are now in pole position to claim the runners-up spot behind Inter Milan. Anorthosis drew 3-3 with the Italian giants last time out and prior to that had beaten Panathinaikos 3-1 in Nicosia. It’s still very tight, but a win on Wednesday for Anorthosis coupled with defeat for the Greek side against Jose Mourinho’s men would secure their place in the knockout stages.

While it is evident that domestic football in Cyprus is well below the standard of the top leagues from across Europe Anorthosis stand head and shoulders above their local rivals and regained their championship crown last year without suffering a single defeat. It’s just one reversal in 10 this season also and Anorthosis are simply a side that are not used to losing. They were agonisingly close to a famous win over Inter until Julio Cruz grabbed a late equaliser and visiting coach Thomas Schaaf will be well aware of their threat.

While Anorthosis continue to flourish it has been a troubled start for Bremen to the new campaign and they have been hugely inconsistent. Losing 2-1 at Hamburg in the weekend was no disgrace, but they are miles off the pace in the Bundesliga and have registered just one away win in seven matches. Bremen have also conceded an alarming 14 goals on their travels in that time and it’s hard to imagine them keeping a clean sheet on Wednesday with the home side always such a threat. Anorthosis have goals throughout their side and in Nikolaos Frousos and Lukasz Sosin two prolific strikers.

If Bremen are to come away with three points then much will rest on how the likes of Per Mertesacker and captain Frank Baumann protect Tim Weise in goal. They are always likely to nick one on the break, but you get the feeling they’ll need to find the net at least twice if they are to return with three points and on their last Champions League showing that looks highly unlikely. Bremen were humiliated 3-0 at the Weserstadion by Panathinaikos and a repeat of that performance will see them playing Uefa Cup football, at best, after Christmas.

I couldn’t have Werder Bremen at anything less than 2.75 tonight and that means we are looking at a sizeable lay by fielding against them at the 2.10 on offer. Having the hosts and the draw on side at a little worse than even money looks excellent value.