UEFA Cup Soccer Picks - Second Leg of First Round Action

As Champions League, match day two winds down, UEFA Cup soccer betting action picks up where it left off, in the first round a fortnight ago. This is the second leg of the first round instalment of UEFA Cup action before the clubs advancing into the Group stage are determined.

So with 80 clubs vying to be among the lucky 40 to move into the group stage, a jam-packed schedule is on the cards tomorrow for the online soccer betting community. Here is a random selection of choice soccer picks for you to consider on your wagering tickets, complete with online betting analysis and predictions.

UEFA Soccer Betting Line:

FC Zurich +½ +125 +330 2½ O -110 U -110 Draw +260

AC Milan -½ -145 -145 2½ O -110 U -110 Draw +260

Match Time: 02:15 PM Eastern Time Thursday October 2, 2008

Soccer Betting Verdict: Milan won the first leg convincingly 3-1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. They are in a comfortable position, advancement within reach, and they are certainly the favourites to move into the group stage. The Swiss need a miracle to overcome the odds against them. They are a team that plays much better at home so they have an outside chance. Milan won’t risk too much against them in the second leg, most likely opting to rest some of their best players. They wont be the same team we saw on the pitch in the first leg but they will be confident nonetheless. A goal will surely secure them safe passage. The Swiss will try to find the net and overcome the goal deficit. Could lead to a high scoring match.

Soccer Free Picks: Milan -145 | Over 2.5 goals -110

UEFA Soccer Betting Line:

AC Sparta Praha -½ -110 -110 2 O -140 U +120 Draw +240

Dinamo Zagreb +½ -110 +275 2 O -140 U +120 Draw +240

Match Time: 02:15 PM Eastern Time Thursday October 2, 2008

Soccer Betting Verdict: Dinamo proved to be the better team in the first leg but Sparta was solid on defence so the match ground to a scoreless draw. This is a wide-open matchup, a berth in the Group stage up for grabs by either club. Sparta has home pitch edge so they are the favourites to advance but I do not expect Dinamo Zagreb to be pushovers. Sparta is at the top of the Czech League and in good form. They solidly resisted Dinamo in the first leg but in the second leg, they need to complement their strategy by taking the initiative on the counter attack. I expect they will try to win this match in regulation time.

Soccer Free Picks: AC Sparta Praha -110 | Under 2 goals +120

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