Thursday Uefa Cup

Schalke managed to scrape a 1-1 draw in Spain, giving us a small profit on the evening

Just the one bet this Thursday in the Uefa Cup and it comes in Spain where I want to be against Racing Santander. The La Liga side produced one of the shocks of the season so far when triumphing 4-2 over Valencia on the weekend but, while there is a danger they could carry that momentum into their clash with Schalke, the bigger picture indicates they are struggling.

Racing have yet to pick up three points on home soil in Spain’s top division so far this season and their win over high flying Valencia was just their second in total all term. Mohammed Tchite’s hat-trick was a surprise, Racing had managed just five goals in eight matches prior to that, and their form at Estadio El Sardinero must be worrying for coach Juan Muniz. Two points from their opening five matches is a long way from the sort of form that saw them finish 6th in La Liga last season and confidence must surely be low in front of their own fans.

Both Racing and Schalke face their second games in Uefa Cup Group A, which also houses Manchester City, but while the German club swept aside a fairly useful PSG outfit 3-1 on opening night Racing were beaten in Holland. Steve McClaren’s men were recommended to get the better of Racing and they duly obliged, winning a fairly scrappy encounter by a single goal.

Schalke weren’t winning out of turn last week however; they have started the season in the Bundesliga very brightly. Just one defeat so far sees them lie in fourth place and they are more than capable of gaining results on their travels. Ten goals scored in six away matches in Germany’s top division has yielded a healthy nine points and their Dutch coach Fred Rutten has a talented squad at his disposal. Kevin Kuranyi, their star forward, is always a handful but he is ably supported and Schalke look strong from front to back. Orlando Engelaar is a key figure, I’ve been really impressed with the Dutch midfielder whenever I’ve seen him in action, and the visitors look primed for at least a point.

There has no doubt been an overreaction to Racing’s fine victory on the weekend by the odds compilers but they look second best to me in most areas and I couldn’t have them as favourites, despite home advantage. 2.80 looks short, and I’m happy to take them on that price.