Europa League Previews (Oct. 21, 2010)

Borussia Dortmund vs. PSG

Dortmund may be topping the German league, but they wont be banking on their home form continuing if they over commit to Europe, and the Europa League is definitely not their top priority.

So expect this match to be played not by the team that is topping the German league, but their understudies. Whilst we cannot be certain exactly who is going to be rested, it seems likely that most of the key players will be absent, which might be enough to cost the home side the match.

Playing for a draw here may well be on the cards considering what we have previously mentioned, so PSG could cause what would technically be an upset for the German high flyers.

PSG have at least had some good away form to hold them in good stead to win this match. Their mean defence has been massively responsible for their domestic form, helping them obtain a very credible and respectable position themselves.

PSG are a good team and considering the fact that Borussia won't be playing their full side, they have every chance of winning this match and it would certainly mean a lot beating the Bundesliga leader.


Napoli vs. Liverpool

Napoli have been playing significantly well this season and are flying high in the Serie A, and they have proven themselves more than capable of beating Liverpool.

Many pundits are placing them as the firm favourites, despite Liverpool’s and their manager’s track record in this competition.

Napoli can reasonably hope to take away all three points, especially considering the fact they are the home side.

Liverpool’s season is reaching the point of embarrassment; granted their financial issues are looking a little bit less bleak, but their performances are still ridiculously poor.

After losing in the local derby and failing to claw their way out of the relegation zone, there isn’t going to be a big turn out in the Liverpool section of the ground.

This is pretty much Liverpool’s only chance of getting any sort of silverware this season and with the way they’ve been playing, that doesn’t look like much of a possibility either.

The fact is that the Reds are a better side in terms of skill, and on paper they should win. If they don’t turn things around and tighten up at the back, then they are going to lose this match, too.


Stuttgart vs. Getafe

Stuttgart will be looking to get their third straight victory in their Europa League campaign, and with the way that they have been playing. Getafe could be in for something of a nightmare.

Stuttgart have been impressive so far in the competition and they should be looking to wrap up their qualification to the knockout stages at the end of this match.

They have looked pretty solid at home in recent years and this is a perfect opportunity for them to turn around the traditionally poor form that they’ve had against Spanish clubs.

And who knows, it may be enough to keep their fans optimistic, when their domestic performances have been appalling, seeing them hit bottom of the Bundesliga table.

Stuttgart have only won one of their 13 competitive matches against Spanish sides and Getafe will be praying that this trend continues.

Getafe have only played a German side once before in the European competition and that saw them drawing both legs of the match up with Bayern Munich.

Technically speaking, the two sides are quite evenly matched and it should be hard to tell them apart in terms of skill, a draw may be a very obvious result to pick if anybody was going to edge the win, the smart money would be on Getafe.


Manchester City vs. Lech Poznan

City have had some good news and some bad news in the last few days, Toure is injured and will not be able to play, Balotelli has started training again, but won't be fit enough to play in this match.

This might not seem like good news at all at a glance, but when you consider that manager Mancini has been having an absolute nightmare when it comes to his attacking options and seeing Balotelli’s return on the horizon is good news for City’s chances at pushing for the title domestically.

It was planned that Tevez would be rested, but due to all of the attacking injuries, that will not happen. This should be an easy match for City after all, if you can beat Chelsea and rather convincingly, are Lech going to be any contest? Well, the answer is probably no.

Lech will be hoping for a draw, and that seems likely to be about all they could imagine achieving. The team simply isn’t of the same standard as City, and with the money which has been pumped into their opposition in recent years, that isn’t really that shocking.

Expect a cagey performance from the away side as they try to contain Man City.

Joe - livescoredaily.com - live scores and live sports