Spartak Moscow vs. FC Porto in the Europa League

Spartak Moscow vs. FC Porto in the Europa League
Jonny PayneWednesday, April 13, 2011 12:00 AM ET
By: Jonny Payne | www.sbrforum.com

The Europa League has a Portuguese flavour to it this season with three of the remaining eight clubs hailing from the nation. Benfica and Braga look set to reach the last four and Porto is almost there as well.

FC Porto


Deadly duo to fire Porto into semis

Porto’s young coach André Villas Boas has built a competitive and entertaining side that is making waves at home and abroad. Villa Boas may soon be coveted by some of Europe’s top clubs, which could set him on his way to going some way to emulating former Porto coach Jose Mourinho.

Key to his success has the South American attacking duo of Hulk and Falcao. Both players are being linked with big-money moves in the summer and Porto will struggle to hold onto their talents. But the owners will hope good showing in Europe will at least increase their prices.

Hulk is tied on the most shots on target (19) in the competition so far, and is priced at +600 by Ladbrokes to score first on Thursday, while Falcao, on 10 goals is the competition’s top scorer. The Colombian is given soccer odds of +700 to be the first name on the scoresheet also by Ladbrokes.

Porto will find the match in Moscow more difficult but expect another victory, priced at an unappealing +140 by Bodog.

Moscow left in the cold

Spartak will know qualification is virtually beyond them, but they will continue to play for pride. It will, however, be difficult to come back from such a devastating defeat. Stranger things have happened however, and the Russians may produce a victory at less than generous odds of +210. But a draw would be a better bet at +240.

Midfielder Alex has been their star player in the Europa League this season with three assists and two goals, and the captain will look to inspire his team to victory with the first goal, priced at +700 by Ladbrokes.

Others will want to impress the watching scouts ahead of the summer transfer window, particularly the likes of the highly-rated striker Welliton, who is given odds of +600 to score first by Ladbrokes.

Spartak Moscow vs. FC Porto in the Europa League livescore,Spartak Moscow vs. FC Porto in the Europa League hasil akhir,Spartak Moscow vs. FC Porto in the Europa League analisys
Spartak will once again struggle to cope with a buoyant Porto side, however, and it will be difficult to see anything but another victory for the Portuguese side. My best bet is on a 2-1 away victory with Falcao as first goalscorer priced at bb by +4000 by Victor Chandler.