Europa League
Anzhi Makhachkala-AZ Both Teams to Score [-115]
AZ is a veteran Euro squad that plays almost every year in the Europa League or Champions League. They know what to do in these situations. The dutch side is full of attacking talent and I don't think their usual style of play is to sit back and try and keep a clean sheet. I fully expect AZ to explore the Russians and look for an away goal or two. Anzhi will continue to treat the EL as a big deal, knowing the financial benefits of playing deep into the tournament. They have scored in every match of the qualification rounds and have only been blanked once in five matches in the Russian Premier League. I think they are smart enough to know they need goals if they are going to entertain hopes of advancing in the 2nd league on the road, so while they would love to keep it clean defensively - getting goals is likely more important here because of the prowess of the opposition.
Hearts +1 [-115]
Hearts host Liverpool and the English side will be making changes today as they keep an eye toward the weekend and a clash with Manchester City. While the likes of Gerrard, Suarez, Skertel and Glen Johnson will be rested - Liverpool still has a deep squad given that Andy Carroll likely gets a start here. Still, the Reds looked poor against West Brom in a 3-0 defeat and will be keen to turn around their EPL season first and foremost. I don't think that means they ignore this tournament with new skipper Brendan Rodgers, but I do think it means they'd be happy to keep a clean sheet or come away with an away goal to give them a heads-up for the 2nd leg. Hearts will field a strong side and look to make amends for last year's squash job at the hands of Tottenham in this competition. Hearts have started strong in the Scottish Premier League with two draws and a win. Liverpool may well win this, but I don't think the defeat will be heavy - so even if Hearts loses, the +1 could result in a push and I think they do have a real shot potentially to earn a draw.
Draw Project [2-4 +0.64]
Atromitos-Newcastle +216
Crvena Zvezda-Bordeaux +248
Anzhi Makhachkala-AZ Both Teams to Score [-115]
AZ is a veteran Euro squad that plays almost every year in the Europa League or Champions League. They know what to do in these situations. The dutch side is full of attacking talent and I don't think their usual style of play is to sit back and try and keep a clean sheet. I fully expect AZ to explore the Russians and look for an away goal or two. Anzhi will continue to treat the EL as a big deal, knowing the financial benefits of playing deep into the tournament. They have scored in every match of the qualification rounds and have only been blanked once in five matches in the Russian Premier League. I think they are smart enough to know they need goals if they are going to entertain hopes of advancing in the 2nd league on the road, so while they would love to keep it clean defensively - getting goals is likely more important here because of the prowess of the opposition.
Hearts +1 [-115]
Hearts host Liverpool and the English side will be making changes today as they keep an eye toward the weekend and a clash with Manchester City. While the likes of Gerrard, Suarez, Skertel and Glen Johnson will be rested - Liverpool still has a deep squad given that Andy Carroll likely gets a start here. Still, the Reds looked poor against West Brom in a 3-0 defeat and will be keen to turn around their EPL season first and foremost. I don't think that means they ignore this tournament with new skipper Brendan Rodgers, but I do think it means they'd be happy to keep a clean sheet or come away with an away goal to give them a heads-up for the 2nd leg. Hearts will field a strong side and look to make amends for last year's squash job at the hands of Tottenham in this competition. Hearts have started strong in the Scottish Premier League with two draws and a win. Liverpool may well win this, but I don't think the defeat will be heavy - so even if Hearts loses, the +1 could result in a push and I think they do have a real shot potentially to earn a draw.
Draw Project [2-4 +0.64]
Atromitos-Newcastle +216
Crvena Zvezda-Bordeaux +248
