Valencia and Juventus favourites in Europa League R16
by Nila Amerova
Valencia and Juventus begin their knockout phase in the R16 against Werder Bremen and Fulham. The bookmakers favour both considerably to win the first leg of their ties, both of which are home matches. Moreover, both outfits are favoured on the outright futures market to advance into the quarters. Valencia are listed as -180 favourites over Werder at +140 meanwhile, Juventus are -325 favourites over Fulham carrying a price of +210.
Here is a look at the market currently trading on the first leg on each of these two matches, complete with verdicts and picks for ye’ soccer betting faithful.Soccer Betting Line:
Valencia -½ -120 -120 2½ O -130 U Ev Draw +230
Werder Bremen +½ -110 +300 2½ O -130 U Ev Draw +230
Match Time: 03:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010
Soccer Betting Verdict: Valencia are hot favourites to take the home win in the first leg of their tie against Werder Bremen. Bookies are offering them at -120 to win outright and at -1/2 -120 on the spread. That both markets are in favour of Valencia could be correctly interpreted by soccer fans as a considerable endorsement of the Spaniards, making them the choice bet.
Of course, Werder Bremen are not without a chance in theory. That bookies are not convinced, evinced by the large offering +300 odds to win outright, is neither here nor there. There is everything to play for and keeping in mind, the win is not as important as some would have you think, there are angles for profit on Werder Bremen. Winning the match would provide the best profit but Werder might just play the score and try to get the all-important away goal; something that would improve their chances when they return home for the second leg. That is why I think this will be a high-scoring affair and the money is in the totals.
Soccer Betting Line:
Juventus -1 -120 -210 2½ O -105 U -125 Draw +270
Fulham +1 -110 +575 2½ O -105 U -125 Draw +270
Match Time: 03:00 PM Eastern Time Thursday March 11, 2010
Soccer Betting Verdict: If the market is to be taken at face value, Juventus have a straightforward affair against Fulham in the R16. Juventus are hot, hot favourites at -250 to win outright while Fulham are large puppies at +575. I can’t find fault with this market and for the most part I would agree. Juventus have an easy path to the quarterfinals and they should capitalize on it.
Fulham are too consumed with the state of affairs at home to really put a whole lot of emphasis on the outcome of this campaign. They are tenth in the league and on good form at home. They will not want to jeopardize that. Moreover, they know they are outclassed by Juventus in all aspects so they might not even bother all too much with this campaigns either. That is, unless of course Juventus blunders through this tie in some way, which if that were to be the case then Fulham cannot not take the opportunity.
