UEFA Cup Preview: The Last 16

England’s and Scotland's interests in European honors continue on Thursday, with four British sides looking to progress in the UEFA Cup.

It seems this contest grows in stature this year, with plenty of top sides going into the latter stages.  Improved television coverage has brought increased revenue and more people are sitting up and taking notice.

Top quality European football doesn't finish on Wednesday night after the Champions League, but continues onto Thursday with the thrills and spills of the UEFA Cup.

The first leg of the last 16 will bring about the battles of some mouth-watering ties...

 

Fiorentina vs. Everton

Italian giants Fiorentina carry on with their comeback from the lower echelons of Italian football by showing good form in Serie A and enjoying their run in the UEFA Cup.

The Viola will prove to be tough opponents for Everton, as David Moyes tinkers with his side.  Moyes will be careful not to overextend his star players as the fight for the last Champions League spot heats up in the EPL.

Fiorentina will be without Romanian International Adrian Mutu—he is currently out with an injury.  Their main goalscoring threat will be former Italian International Christian Vieri.

A draw would be a great result for Everton, but this will be their trickiest European trip of the season so far.

 

Bolton Wanderers vs. Sporting Lisbon

Bolton stunned Europe in the last round as they disposed of Atletico Madrid 1-0 on aggregate.  The Trotters—who are fighting relegation at home—are enjoying their impressive European run.

In Sporting Lisbon they face a side similar in stature to Atletico Madrid.

Can they pull it off again?  I personally doubt it, as the EPL pressure is mounting.

EPL survival is first on Bolton's to do list, but they wouldn't be the first successful European side to go down.

 

Rangers vs. Werder Bremen

Rangers go into their tie with Bremen (a side flying high in the German Bundesliga) with 11 straight league wins.  Bremen sit second behind Bayern Munich but Rangers won't be too phased, having already beaten German opposition this season.

Rangers beat Stuttgart 2-1 in the opening game of this year's Champions League Group phase. They lost the reverse encounter 3-2, but were in no way outplayed.

Rangers, however, are in the middle of 10 games in 35 days and the tough schedule is bound to catch up with them sooner or later—but hopefully not on Thursday night.

Bremen appear very confident going into this one, judging from their players’ comments.  But Rangers will be no pushovers!

 

Tottenham Hotspur vs. PSV Eindhoven

Spurs had a tough weekend after lifting the Carling Cup with a 2-1 AET victory over Chelsea last week.  They appeared to be suffering from a cup hangover away at Birmingham City on Saturday.

The 4-1 defeat was certainly a wake up call to Jaunde Ramos' men, but I'm sure they’ll come out firing in this one.

PSV have a great European pedigree and are more accustomed to competing against the likes of the last Champions League 16, so it will be interesting to see how badly they want this UEFA Cup.

But it won't be an easy match for either side, and I'd pick this as my tie of the round.  Juande Ramos is a cup magician and it would be naive to rule Spurs out at this stage.

So don't forget on Thursday night, the European action continues!