101GGs Wednesday Europa League predictions

Manchester City Salzburg: Man City are in pole position to qualify out of Group A and reach the knockout stages of the Europa League, and a win against Salzburg will see them comfirm their passage into the next round. Whether the Citizens will scoop all three points, however, seems a bit of a coin-flip at the moment. On the one hand, weve seen the Blues destroy Fulham and West Brom with some sublime attacking football in recent weeks, but thats been contrasted by some overly defensive tactics in the draws with Manchester United, Birmingham and Stoke. The Mancunicans will be hoping the a team comprised with David Silva, Mario Balotelli and James Milner should have enough guile to turn over the Austrians.

While Salzburg have nothing to really to play for in this seasons competition, City will find them no pushovers. They have held Italian giants Juventus to 1-1 and 0-0 draws in this seasons competition, while domestically they are on a good run having won their last three matches in succession. Offensively, City will need to keep an eye out for attacking 21-year-old midfielder Jakob Jantscher, while Roman Wallner and Argentine Gonzalo Zarate will be the danger men in the visitors attack.

101gg predicts: Manchester City 2 Salzburg 0

Odds from Pinnacle Sports: Manchester City 1.22; Draw 6.50; Salzburg 14.73

***

Lech Poznan Juventus: Lech Poznan can achieve a major achievement if the turn over the Bianconeri as the Poles will confirm their progression into the knock-out stage of the tournament. Provided the match survives the freezing temperatures, Lech will be confident of maintaining their undefeated home record in the Europa League against a Juve side who looked destined to whimper out of the competition at the group stage. The hosts danger man will undoubtedly be hotshot Latvian striker Artoms Rudnevs who has alr! eady bag ged ten goals in 19 outings this campaign.

Turning to the Italians, who have struggled to turn draws into wins both in Europe and in domestic competition this year, theyll will be without defender Marco Motta, who is out with a back injury. On the positive side however, the return of striker Vincenzo Iaquinta will be a shot in the arm for Juve. Iaquinta has recovered from flu and is set to lead the attack alongside Alessandro Del Piero. Theyll be support be the industrious pairing of Milos Krasic and Claudio Marchisio breaking from midfield.

101gg predicts: Lech Poznan 1 Juventus 1

Odds from Pinnacle Sports: Lech Poznan 3.74; Draw 3.52; Juventus 2.05

***

Atletico Madrid Aris: Struggling in seventh spot in La Liga following a disappointing home defeat to Espanyol last time out, the Rojiblanos are flying high in the Europa League and they can secure their continuation into the last 32 with a win over Aris. Atleti, the reigning champs, have sought to defend their title resolutely this season and there is little doubt that the Madridistas will include their attacking jewels of Kun Aguero, Diego Forlan, Jose Antonio Reyes and Simao as the seek to avenge their 1-nil defeat which they suffered in Greece at the start of the group phase.

Hector Cupers side have struggled since then, though, and away defeats to Rosenborg and Leverkusen combined with a home draw against the German outfit means they are almost in the last-chance saloon for tomorrows game. Since that draw with Leverkusen, Aris have picked up just four points from a possible 12 in their domestic league and were beaten 1-0 by lowly Panserraikos at the weekend.

101gg predicts: Atletico Madrid 3 Aris 0

Odds from Pinnacle Sports: Atletico Madrid 1.26; Draw 5.75; Aris 13.82

***

Rosenborg- BayerLeverkusen: Bayer Leverkusen travel to Rosenborg knowing that they have all but qualified, whi! le the N orwegians are still looking to translate their domestic dominance into the wider European scene. With the likes of Rade Prica and Steffen Iversen leading their line, Rosenborg will be confident of being able to breach the Germans backline and, provided the match survives the cold weather, the hosts should also have an advantage with regards to coping with the icy temperatures.

Bayer, who have fallen off the pace in the Bundesliga, will be a tough team to beat. Arriving to the match on the back of a seven game unbeaten streak in all competitions, coach Jupp Heynckes will be confident that a team packed full of talents including Sidney Sam, Arturo Vidal, Tranquillo Barnetta and Sami Hyypia will have more than enough nous to secure the point they need.

101gg predicts: Rosenborg1 BayerLeverkusen 2

Odds from Pinnacle Sports: Rosenborg 3.29; Draw 3.47; Bayer Leverkusen 2.23

Football Betting Tips, Odds, Asian Handicap, Oicks, Preview & Prediction