UEFA Cup Group A Soccer Free Picks

As the euphoria dies down over Champions League action for another fortnight sports bettors have another instalment of UEFA Cup group action to look forward to in the soccer betting markets.

Match day 2 in UEFA Cup looms tomorrow and Group A gets underway with Manchester City taking on Twente and Real Racing Club battle Schalke.

UEFA Soccer Betting Line:

Manchester City -1 -125 -250 2½ O -125 U +105 2 O -105 U -125 Draw +325

FC Twente +1 +105 +550 2½ O -125 U +105 ½ O -140 U +110 Draw +325

Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time Thursday November 6, 2008

Soccer Betting Analysis: Manchester City enters this matchup as the favourites at -250 but recent questionable form does not make them a sure play. They have been very inconsistent lately, having lost their last two Premier League matches despite being the better side. They seem to lack closing edge though they create the opportunities.

FC Twente occupies sixth place in the Dutch table after losing to Ajax this weekend – but they are only two points behind the league leaders AZ. Since FC Twente was knocked out of Champions League competition, they have been playing much better. They opened their UEFA Cup campaign with a win over Real Racing Club and they are tied atop the Group with Schalke at three points. Though it is early days, tipping them at a whopping +550 on the money line seems to be rather drastic. What were the odds makers thinking?

Soccer Betting Verdict: FC Twente is in a good position as they make the trip to Manchester City. Though the English side has home edge and they are given the favourite nod by the odds makers , this matchup is poised to go against the soccer betting line. Man City has problems with scoring. Twente is solid defensively. Manchester will want to get its campaign off to a good start but Twente comes in with optimism having already gotten their campaign underway successfully. I expect a low scoring match so Under 2-5 goals +105 is a good play. FC Twente for the win – heck, with such odds why not.

Soccer Free Picks: FC Twente +550 | Under 2.5 goals +105

UEFA Soccer Betting Line:

Racing Santander pk -110 +160 2 O -120 U Ev 1 O -105 U -125 Draw +200

FC Schalke 04 pk -110 +160 2 O -120 U Ev 1 O -105 U -125 Draw +200

Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time Thursday November 6, 2008

Soccer Betting Analysis: This should be an exciting match. FC Schalke won their opening UEFA Cup match against PSG and they are level at 3 points with Group A leaders FC Twente. They will want to go for the win tomorrow and at +160 odds, they are a good play. Further recommending the German side is an impressive turnout in Bundesliga where they won their last two games, both on the away and home.

Racing Santander lost their opening match to FC Twente so redemption is on their mind. In domestic action, the Spaniards recorded an impressive victory over Valencia. The return of their best player, Munitis, was a huge factor in their victory over Valencia and he could prove to be the lone player to turnaround their UEFA Cup bid.