Sports Blog 10/12/2015: Match Preview – UEFA Europa League, Thursday 10th December 2015

Whilst Champions League progression was a bit touch and go for the English sides in the competition, Liverpool and Tottenham have already got their places in the Europa League final 32 sown up with one game to go.

First up is the slightly more important fixture of the two, with Liverpool travelling to Switzerland to face Sion at 6pm on BT Sport Europe. The Reds are actually already qualified, with 2 wins and 3 draws (including one against Sion) enough to guarantee them a place in the final 32. However, a win or draw on Thursday is needed if Jurgen Klopp wants to finish at the top of Group B and, in the process, ostensibly secure an easier passage to the competition’s round of 16.



Klopp will also be looking at Thursday’s game as a chance for Liverpool to bounce back from their 2-0 loss at Newcastle last weekend, a defeat that saw them not only fall to 8th in the league, but brought with it the extra blow of yet another injury to Daniel Sturridge, a mere 3 games after returning from his last 2 month stint on the sidelines. With only 5 goals this season, and a Super Mega PGM spread of 24-29, the forward responsibility once again falls to Christian Benteke, whilst Divorck Origi, at 5/1 to score first, will be looking to build on his hat-trick against Southampton in the League Cup.

Whilst Liverpool may be through already, an away loss in Russia means that Sion need at least a point to ensure qualification if Rubin Kazan manage to beat Bordeaux in France. It appears that the Europa League Thursdays have taken its toll on Sion domestically, with their 7 losses, 6 wins and 4 draws leaving them in 6th place, 18 points behind Super League leaders Basel. They are also without top scorer Moussa Konate due to a broken hand, leaving Ebenezer Assifuah and Carlitos (at Super Mega PGMs of 12-16 and 8-11 respectively) to pick up the slack going forwards.

Whilst the Reds could only manage a draw against the Swiss side back in October they are much improved under their new German manager (even with the odd slip up against Palace and Newcastle), leading our Spreadex traders to offer a Liverpool/Sion (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.35-0.55 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.05-2.25.

Like for Liverpool Thursday night doesn’t provide Tottenham with too much too worry about, a draw against Monaco, who they host at 8.05pm on BT Sport Europe, all that is needed to top Group J. A loss against the French side, however, could leave Spurs in 2nd if Anderlecht manage to beat Qarabag (with both sides still in the running for the group’s second spot). Yet Mauricio Pochettino is apparently willing to take that risk with top scorer Harry Kane (at a Super Mega PGM of 39-45) potentially set to be rested ahead of the weekend’s trip to the embryonically resurgent Newcastle.



It might be a wise move to focus on the domestic matters at the moment, as Tottenham have continued their points-sapping predilection for draws in the Premier League, with 0-0 and 1-1 results against Chelsea and West Brom in the last fortnight. That still leaves them in 5th place, but 3 points away from Man United in 4th and only 2 above Crystal Palace and West Ham in 6th and 7th. The absence of Kane may give Son Heung-min the chance to shine; at a Super Mega PGM of 22-27 the South Korean forward hasn’t scored since returning from injury, and will be looking to reignite his form on the same stage he made his debut splash back in September.

For Monaco Thursday’s match is far more important; the French side need a win AND a loss or draw from Anderlecht if they are to reach the next round. 3 draws, 1 win (over Qarabag at home) and 1 loss (against Anderlecht, again at home) isn’t the best record, and Leonardo Jardim really needs to pull something out of the bag if his team are to stay in the competition. Improved performances from Lacina Traore and Stephan El Shaarawy, sitting at 15/2 and 11/1 to score first respectively, will be needed if that is to happen however.

Though Spurs may not need the don’t need the win points-wise, a victory on Thursday evening would instil a bit more bite to before a trip to a relegation-battling Toon. Our Spreadex traders think the North London side can manage it, at least, offering a Tottenham/Monaco Goal Supremacy spread of 0.4-0.6 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.5-2.7.