Bookmakers believe British clubs will, by and large, prosper in first leg of their Uefa Cup first round matches on Thursday night.
First up are Newcastle United, who play away to Levadia Tallin at the Le Coq Arena (kick off 4pm on Channel 5). The Magpies are a best-priced 1-2 with Ladbrokes and Stan James, but they suffered a surprise 2-1 reverse at home to Fulham on Saturday and have travelled without Kevin Bond, their number two, because of “personal matters”.
Spurs return to Europe with a match away to Slavia Prague, a match also being shown Channel 5. The London club are a standout 5-4 with totesport (Blue Square are as short as 10-11) and that could be big if England winger Aaron Lennon passes a late fitness test. The 19-year-old missed Spurs’ 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday after picking up a knee injury but is much improved.
BBC Scotland will show the match between Molde and Rangers (7.05pm). Rangers are evens with Skybet to gain a first-leg cushion.
Blackburn Rovers travel to Salzburg, a match being shown on Premier (7.45pm). This looks a tricky assignment for Rovers and this is reflected by Coral quoting them at 2-1. They would, no doubt, settle for a draw, offered at 11-5 by Paddy Power.
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Last, but not least, West Ham United entertain Palermo at Upton Park — live on ITV4 at 8pm. Hammers are a tempting 5-6 with Paddy Power, although manager Alan Pardew has to decide whether to hand Argentina internationals Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano their first starts. Roy Carroll, Yossi Benayoun and Tyrone Mears were all injury concerns going into Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa but came through unscathed.