UEFA CUP Soccer Betting - Rangers vs. Fiorentina
by Nila Namerova
Avid soccer betting lines.
Fiorentina vs. Rangers
Ibrox – Glasgow, Scotland
Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time, Thursday April 24, 2008
Home Team: Rangers
Spread: PK -105
Moneyline: +165
Total Points: Over 2 -120
Draw +205
Away Team: Fiorentina
Spread: PK -115
Moneyline: +160
Total Points: Under 2 EV
Draw +205
Analysis: Both teams are tipped as underdogs in this matchup, with Fiorentina only marginally less disadvantage at +160 on the money line. The Rangers are hosting Fiorentina, so with home field advantage, they should be the better wager at +165.
Fiorentiana: Fiorentina are riding a winning high on both the domestic and international fronts. In domestic competition, Fiorentina recently defeated Palermo – a victory that kept them four points ahead of rivals Milan; meanwhile, advancing into the UEFA Cup semi-finals clearly has them performing well on the international front as well.
Rangers: Rangers have shown signs of weakness on the domestic front. In the Scottish FA Cup semi-finals, only after the penalty did the Rangers manage to eliminate second league St. Johnston and emerge as the finalists. Shaky play at home has them tipped at +165 for the home win.
Soccer Free Picks: Over the last three UEFA Cup matches at Ibrox, Rangers won one and drew two. Rangers enjoy a slower paced game. Playing to a home crowd, they will do their best to impose their methodical tempo – a style that doesn’t suit the slightly flashier play of the Italian side. So, in terms of handicapping this match:
Moneyline Pick: Rangers +165
The stakes are high and with the Rangers playing to a partisan crowd, I like their odds of winning at home. Moreover, Fiorentina, in their last five away matches, have won only one match, losing the remaining four. Their poor away record gives Rangers the better chance for the home victory.
Totals (Over/Under) Over 2.5 goals
Rangers have averaged a goal a game in their last five home matches. Fiorentina claims only three goals in their last five away matches. As a result, I expect a low-scoring match.
Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room.
