SEPT 15: EUROPA LEAGUE

FIVE British sides are in Europa League action on Thursday and Celtic face the toughest task at Atletico Madrid.

It will be almost as tough for Birmingham against last season's runners-up Braga while Spurs, Stoke and Fulham may not put out their strongest sides in ties against PAOK, Dynamo Kiev and FC Twente.

All in all it makes it a difficult night for punters and the best advice is to check latest team news before making a decision on the match involving the Premier League outfits.

So let's start with Celtic whose boss Neil Lennon has promised to play his strongest side despite facing an Old Firm derby three days later.

To be fair to Lennon it doesn't matter what team he puts out because 2010 winners Atletico Madrid are hot favourites.

Celtic failed to beat Sion on the park in the play-off round so you've got to wonder how they will cope with three better teams in Group I in the shape of Atletico, Udinese and Rennes.

Bookies don't fancy their chances and William Hill and bet365 go a biggest 7-1 on a Celtic win and the draw is 7-2 at Stan James and bet365.

On the evidence of how they performed in Switzerland and an abysmal away record in Europe over the past few seasons you've got side with the Spanish at a best 4-9 at Ladbrokes and William Hill.

Ten-man Celtic were well beaten 3-1 in Sion and Lennon's other away matches have ended 0-2 and 0-4. Atletico minus one must be worth a look at 5-4 with Paddy Power.

Atletico lost Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan in the summer and haven't scored in their opening two La Liga matches.

But they brought in £35million Falcao from Porto as a replacement and it's only a matter of time before he breaks his duck in a tournament he top-scored in last season.

The Colombian is a best 4-1 with William Hill and Chandler to score first and 21-10 (Chandler) to net at any time. William Hill offer Falcao at 11-8 to score in a home win.

The first leg has been overshadowed by talk of the bad-tempered clash between the sides in 1974 and a red card tonight pays 3-1 with William Hill.

At first glance Fulham look a decent bet at 23-20 at home to Dutch side Twente but Bobby Zamora is to be rested and £10m new boy Brian Ruiz – signed from their opponents – is cup-tied so it might be on to leave out.

Spurs face a tough test at PAOK who rarely lose at home and a draw could be the call here if Harry Redknapp plays a strong enough team. Otherwise back the Greeks at 23-10 with Chandler.

The other game in this group sees shock qualifiers Shamrock Rovers open with a game against Russian giants Rubin Kazan.

The Irish did brilliantly to knock out Partizan Belgrade but the Russians are another level up and should be backed at 4-7 with Coral. Rovers are 6-1 with Chandler and bet365.

Stoke showed their worth by beating Liverpool at the weekend and with Tony Pulis looking as if he'll put out most of his first-choice players I wouldn't back against them at Dynamo Kiev. Try Stoke draw no bet at 11-4 with Skybet.

Birmingham tackle Braga at home and you've got to fancy the wily Portuguese at 15-8 with bet365.

Short-priced favourites who should win include AZ v Malmo, Bruges v Maribor and Lazio v Vaslui.

Recommendations

Atletico Madrid -1

(5-4, Paddy Power)

Stoke draw no bet

(11-4, Skybet)

Braga

(15-8, bet365)

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