10th Mar 2011 | Football
Europa League Preview
Man City, Liverpool and Rangers have made it to the latter stages of the competition but all three face tough away assignments in today's Round of 16 first legs.
The wheat has mostly been separated from the chaff now that the Europa League has entered the round of 16. Two English sides sit in the top three favourites for the trophy with Liverpool’s improvement under Kenny Dalglish making the 6/1 available on them with Bluesquare look quite appealing. Man City are 4/1 but the English pair are split in the bookies’ estimations by Porto at 11/2, who face a tricky trip to CSKA Moscow this evening.
Rangers are still keeping the flag flying for Scotland but at 66/1 with Betfred they will do remarkably well to repeat their run to the UEFA Cup Final of 2008. In fairness, the bookies are somewhat divided on the hopes of the reigning SPL Champions with PaddyPower offering the much shorter 35/1. Walter Smith will be unfazed by such matters, knowing that the immediate task at hand is enough to think about with the trip to PSV Eindhoven. The Dutch leaders are 1/2 on to take a first leg lead to Ibrox with Rangers a 13/2 shot with SkyBet. The draw is available with the same firm at 16/5.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 15:06 10th Mar, 2011 but subject to change
