UEFA Cup

Last minute goals in Rome and Lisbon dug us out of some precarious looking situations in the Champions League this week but hopefully things will be a lot more plain sailing in the UEFA Cup on Thursday.

It is hoped to be straightforward because there is just one selection from the raft of games being played across the continent and I’ll be taking on FC Copenhagen in their match with Panathinaikos.

Greek teams are notoriously bad travellers, but the visitors have tasted success on three recent European trips and the Danish league is of no great standard. The hosts have proved themselves to be the standout side domestically in recent seasons but they have not been playing well of late, unlike their Thursday’s opponents, and are opposed at a short looking 2.30

Panathinaikos have clicked into top gear in the competitive top division back home and they routed Aberdeen 3-0 in their opening group game. 14 goals in five consecutive victories illustrates their superb current form and only AEK Athens head them.

Copenhagen have enjoyed some terrific results in Europe in recent seasons, they beat Manchester United and Celtic in the group stages of the Champions League in 2006, but I’m not sure they are the same team as then and they could be happy to ease into the group with a point anyway. Remember, it’s the top three that go through from each so avoiding defeat is the key early on and that’s what I am expecting the away side to do.