Europa League Picks - December 14th 2011

Rob Alexander picks out a value bet from Wednesday's final Europa League Group Stage matches

Wednesday sees the final round of the Europa League Group Stage kick off with two Premier League clubs in action.

Stoke City have already qualified for the next round and take on Turkish side Besiktas in Turkey and will need to take at least a point from the match to finish top of Group E. Stoke have had a good season so far and could be a decent bet to win the Europa League if they continue to take the competition seriously.

Far less comfortably positioned in their group are Fulham who currently sit in second place just one point ahead of Wisla Krakow. Fulham must beat Odense BK at Craven Cottage to ensure that they qualify for the next round. FC Twente are guaranteed to top the table so are likely to field a weakened side in their away trip to Wisla Krakow so it is even more essential that Fulham win the match.

There are plenty of other important matches on Wednesday night as many sides bid to qualify for the latter stages of the competition and perhaps a glamour tie against one of the Manchester giants.

Wednesday Pick

Fulham v Odense BK

It is not out of the question that Fulham will struggle to break down their Danish opponents and give their fans an uncomfortable night before squeezing through with a narrow victory.

Odense have been much better on the road in Group K than at home and troubled group leaders FC Twente and they beat Wisla Krakow 3-1 in Poland in the first match of the group stage.

Fulham will probably win the match but will be forced to work hard by a decent Odense BK side who have been unlucky on occasion in the group and who probably deserve to still be in with a chance of qualification.

I'm backing Odense with a pretty big headstart at odds against in what seems to be a very decent bet.

Bet 2 points on Odense BK +1.5 at 2.16 with Victor Chandler

The match kicks off at 2005 GMT