Europa League Picks - 30 November 2011

Rob Alexander hunts out some value from the midweek matches in the Europa League

The penultimate round of Europa League group stage matches kick off this evening with plenty of sides having something to play for. With Group C the only group to have both qualifiers confirmed for the next round the majority of sides have something to play for on Wednesday and Thursday night.

In Group A, PAOK, Rubin Kazan and Tottenham Hotspur all have a good chance of qualifying. The Greek side are just a point ahead of Spurs and Rubin Kazan and travel to White Hart Lane this evening where a win would see them qualify for the next round. A Spurs victory coupled with a win for Rubin Kazan would see those two sides in pole position for making the next round and the final match between PAOK and Rubin taking on extra significance.

Other UK sides in action on Wednesday (tonight) are Celtic and Birmingham who both face arguably their toughest and most important matches of the group stage.

Birmingham City travel to Portugal to play Braga with both sides able to qualify for the next round if they win the match. The Championship side have performed admirably in the Europa League this season and progressing from Group H would be a fantastic achievement. Birmingham have won both of their away matches so far and will have some hope of doing so again.

Atletico Madrid visit Glasgow to take on Celtic with one of the worst away records in Europe having not won on their travels in the Europa League or La Liga so far this season. This stat alone gives the Scottish Premier League side plenty of hope of taking something from the match. A victory for Neil Lennon's side is almost essential if they are to have a decent chance of qualifying for the round of 32.

Stoke City and Fulham play on Thursday and can qualify for the knockout stages with victories. The Potters take on Dynamo Kyiv at the Brittania Stadium while Fulham make the short trip to play FC Twente in the Netherlands. FC Twente have already qualified for the next round and will finish top unless Fulham beat them on Thursday.

Wednesday Pick

Celtic v Atletico Madrid

As said above Celtic probably need to win against Atletico Madrid this evening to give themselves a chance of making the knockout stages. That will be easier said than done as despite their terrible away record this season, Atletico Madrid are one of the best sides on paper in the competition.

The Bhoys will be in high spirits after winning their last home Europa League match 3-1 against Rennes and more recently by the fact that they have closed the gap at the top of the SPL to just four points.

Certainly on paper, Celtic's side is worse than Atletico's but their desire coupled with a full house at Parkhead and their visitors shocking away record so far this season will be enough to encourage them that they can take something from the match.

The La Liga side could certainly turn on the style and romp to victory if everything went right for them but I am backing Celtic to gain a point at the very least considering their mood and the Spanish sides current form.

Bet 2 points on Celtic +0.25 at 2.05 with Stan James

Thursday Pick

FC Vaslui v Lazio

Romanian side FC Vaslui have a great opportunity to knock Serie A giants Lazio with victory at home on Thursday. Provided they beat Lazio and group leaders Sporting CP avoid defeat at home to FC Zurich the Romanian side will make the knockout stages.

Lazio have only take a point away from home so far in the group and could only manage a home draw against FC Vaslui earlier in the group so that moves me towards backing the home side in this match.

The Romanian side have a good home record and beat Sporting CP last time out so I'm backing them to gain at least a point against a Lazio side who need to win the match.

Bet 1 point on FC Vaslui +0.25 at 2.1 with bet365.

(Paddy Power quote best odds of 2.75 on FC Vaslui in their draw no bet market which might offer some value as well)