MAN CITY need a Europa League win in Poland tonight to lift confidence after two EPL defeats – and they should get it.
Roberto Mancini's beat Lech Poznan 3-1 at the Eastlands in a decent match and although hat-trick hero Manny Adebayor will start City will be missing Carlos Tevez and Yaya and Kolo Toure. Italian striker Mario Balotelli has been struggling with a thigh strain but could feature.
City are unbeaten in their three Europa League clashes so far and look a decent bet at 4-5 with Stan James.
Liverpool claimed a creditable 0-0 draw in Napoli with a weakened side and look in better shape for the visit of the Italians to Anfield.
Defender Glen Johnson is set to return after missing the last four matches with a thigh problem and there could be starts for Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres who missed out in Italy a fortnight ago.
Since that game Liverpool have beaten Bolton and Blackburn in the EPL under new ownership and the dark clouds are beginning to lift. Check for team news but if Gerrard and Torres are given the nod take the Reds at 19-20 with Stan James.
Elsewhere the money has been piling in on CSKA Moscow who are expected to face a weakened Palermo outfit. The Russians won 3-0 in Italy and in fact have won their three group games by the same scoreline. Palermo are struggling in Serie A so this has to be a home win. CSKA are a biggest 4-6 with Paddy Power but it might not last.
Juventus will be hoping to end a run of three consecutive draws in when they host Red Bull Salzburg.
Luigi Delneri's side picked up a confidence-boosting 2-1 win away to AC Milan at the weekend but will be without Paolo De Ceglie, Jorge Martinez and keeper Alex Manninger so Pepe may be called into action as an emergency full-back. If they perform like they did in Milan it's a Juve win at 1-3 with Blue Square.
CSKA Sofia are statistically the worst side in the competition with no goals and no points and should face another loss at Rapid Vienna who are 4-6 with William Hill.
Sporting Lisbon are another side with maximum points and will fancy a visit to a Gent side they hammered 5-1 in Portugal. They also put five past Levski Sofia and won in Lille so look a good shout at 5-4 with bet365.
TONIGHT'S TREBLE
- CSKA Moscow
- Rapid Vienna
- Sporting Lisbon
SUPER SINGLE
- Lech Poznan v Man City – both teams to score (10-11 William Hill)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
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