First Round UEFA Cup Second Leg Soccer Free Picks

Champions League Match day 2 came to a close today but soccer betting enthusiasts can turn to UEFA Cup soccer betting lines as the second leg of the first round of the championships gets underway on Thursday October 2, 2008. There are 80 clubs vying for a berth in the Group stage but only 40 can advance. With the stakes high for so many European clubs, bidding to keep their campaign alive, here is a select few matchups for the online football betting community to chew over.

UEFA Soccer Betting Line:

Benfica -½ -105 -105 2½ O +110 U -130 Draw +225

SSC Napoli +½ -115 +250 2½ O +110 U -130 Draw +225

Match Time: 03:15 PM Eastern Time Thursday October 2, 2008

Soccer Betting Verdict: SSC Napoli is enjoying renaissance. This is a good time for the Italian club in domestic and international competition. Partenopei are unbeaten thus far in the season. They played in Intertoto cup this summer to get here and now they have the chance to get to UEFA league. They won the first leg by a goal (3:2) before a partisan crowd.

Benefica scored the second goal late to mark a lesser loss in the first leg. With home edge in the second leg, they fancy their chances against the Italians at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benefica. The Portuguese put a lot of stock in UEFA Cup success and a good outcome is a high priority with them.

Given that Napoli is playing well their underdog odds of +250 is a serious underestimation of their abilities. Taking them on the money line holds a lot of value and would be a good play – even though they are playing an away game. Benefica ‘s handicap is defence. They will have to be super solid if they want to fend off the Italians. Napoli will be bolstered with the return of first-choice keeper Iezzo who was sidelined in the first leg. This should be a close encounter and a truly exciting battle.

Soccer Free Picks: Napoli +250 | Over 2.5 goals +110

UEFA Soccer Betting Line:

Udinese -½ Ev Ev 2½ O -115 U -105 Draw +225

Borussia Dortmund +½ -120 +240 2½ O -115 U -105 Draw +225

Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time Thursday October 2, 2008

Soccer Betting Verdict: Udinese prepares to host Dortmund in the second leg. Udinese is sitting in a comfortable position after having won the first leg 2:0. They will hope to secure their passage into the Group stage with a straightforward victory before loyal fans.

Udinese thoroughly deserved to win the first leg. Dortmund was sloppy on the pitch and had their mistakes rightly exploited. Dortmund enters the second leg with some optimism after they beat Stuttgart in domestic action. An optimistic frame of mind can go a long way to erasing the writing on the wall.

Udinese are the favourites. They have home edge and they won the opening round of this matchup. They will be patient on the field and hope Dortmund’s anxiety will lead to more greenhorn mistakes on the pitch. Dortmund has nothing to lose and must go on the attack. They need a convincing win if they hope to salvage their campaign.

Soccer Free Picks: Udinese (Even) |Under 2.5 goals -105

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room