MSK Zilina and SK Slavia Praha desperate to get on board in UEFA Cup Group F

UEFA Cup betting in Group F features two sides that have been struggling to get on the board. MSK Zilina who lost both opening fixtures plays host to SK Slavia Praha – who lost 1:0 to Ajax at home in the only group match they have played to date.

The two clubs from either half of the former Czechoslovakia met in the second qualifying round of the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League and in 210 minutes of painstaking football, neither side managed to produce a goal. The match was finally decided on penalties; Karel Jarolim’s Slavia won 4-3.

The tight history between the two clubs is reflected in the sports betting market. Bookies tip the clubs within skin-tight odds that predicting which club will break free is a bit of an ordeal.

Soccer Betting Line:

MSK Zilina pk -115 +150 2 O -130 +110 Draw +220

Slavia Prague pk -105 +155 2 O -130 +110 Draw +220

Match Time: 12:30 P.M. Eastern Time Thursday November 27, 2008

Venue: Pod Dubnon - Zilina - Slovakia

Soccer Betting Analysis:

MSK Zilina +150 : MSK Zilina has home edge but they are barely afforded a respectable edge in this match as the bookies tip them close up to the visitors on the money line. Progress to the UEFA Cup group stage has been one of the clubs biggest successes in a hundred years of existence.

Zilina has two matches under the belt in UEFA Cup, but they were unlucky to lose both by a goal difference. They lost to Hamburg 2:1 at home and 1:0 to Ajax on the away.

Slavia Prague +155: SK Slavia Praha is enjoying a good domestic season and they are hot favourites in the sports betting market to win the domestic title – Czech Republic Gambrinus. Slavia’s loss to Ajax at home marked their first loss at the new Eden Stadium in Prague. The great home run ended by an unfortunate deflection that ended in the net.

Soccer Betting Verdict: This should be an interesting match. Slavia Praha is enjoying a great season but history is against them –they have yet to win a game on Slovakian soil, or indeed score a goal – since the two nations went their separate ways, they lost one game and drew the other. Nevertheless, at +155 Slavia Prague is a good play to end their scoreless drought on Slovak soil.

For Zilina fans: take stock of the money line. The home side is so marginally favored in this match up that betting on a home win does not appear to be a sure play. The draw perhaps would be a more realistic play for Zilina fans who do not want to see their side slip further in UEFA Cup contention.

Soccer Free Picks: Slavia Praha +155| Under 2 goals +110

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