Intertoto Cup: 19th July

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Elfsborg Boras IF - Riga FK	Sat 19-07-2008 - 15:30	66	1.35	5.50	10.50	AH	OU	HC	HT
Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast - VfB Stuttgart	Sat 19-07-2008 - 16:00	66	2.89	3.25	2.73	AH	OU	HC	HT
Grasshoppers Zurich - Chernomorec Burgas	Sat 19-07-2008 - 17:45	65	1.65	3.75	5.50	AH	OU	HC	HT
Panonios Athens - SSC Napoli	Sat 19-07-2008 - 18:00	66	3.15	3.20	2.40	AH	OU	HC	HT
Sivasspor - Sporting Braga	Sat 19-07-2008 - 18:00	66	2.10	3.30	3.70	AH	OU	HC	HT
Nefci Baki - Vaslui FC	Sat 19-07-2008 - 18:00	63	2.25	3.30	3.29	AH	OU	HC	HT
Sturm Graz - Honved Budapest	Sat 19-07-2008 - 18:00	66	1.65	3.80	6.00	AH	OU	HC	HT
Hapoel Bnei Saknin - Deportivo La Coruna	Sat 19-07-2008 - 19:00	61	5.50	3.60	1.80	AH	OU	HC	HT
Stade Rennes - Tavrija Simferopol	Sat 19-07-2008 - 19:00	65	1.50	4.20	7.00	AH	OU	HC	HT
Breda NAC - Rosenborg Trondheim	Sat 19-07-2008 - 19:30	67	2.10	3.40	3.80	AH	OU	HC	HT
OB Odense - Aston Villa	Sat 19-07-2008 - 20:05	68	4.00	3.40	2.10	AH	OU	HC	HT

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Here's a wee preview of the Villa game from my blog;

Despite a creditable 6th place finish the Premier League Aston Villa find themselves kicking-off their season in earnest tomorrow in the Intertoto Cup in Denmark. They face Odense in the first step to qualification into the UEFA Cup.

Odense finished a disappointing 8th in Danish SuperLigaen but have since managed to dispose of Finnish side TPS Turku 4-1 on aggregate to set up the clash with Villa. Last season the Danish side narrowly missed out on the UEFA Group stages, losing on penalties to Sparta Prague after two 0-0 draws. The season before they made the group stages but missed out on qualification, finishing 4th in their group on 4 points. There’s not much of a European pedigree for Villa to fear but chances are the Danes will be stuffy at home and look to nullify Villa’s attack.


As for Villa, Martin O’Neill is expected to hand a debut to new signing Steve Sidwell whilst toys-out-the-pram skipper Gareth Barry will unsurprisingly be left at home. O’Neill’s squad is still on the light side as he continues to chase summer signings so he has added a few youngsters for the trip.


I’m slightly surprised to see Villa at odds against to win this first leg, with Coral and Ladbrokes both offering 11/10. If O’Neill goes with a strong line-up then I think this looks a good price against a team who should be no match for one of the Premier League’s better sides.


Another bet worth looking at is there being Under 2.5 goals. As we saw with Manchester City last night it’s often difficult to break teams down on their own turf when the pitch is tight and surroundings are unfamiliar. 888 Sport, Betfred and BlueSq go 5/6 on there being less than 3 goals and that looks a good shout too.