Europa League
2012-11-08 - Udinese vs Young Boys
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Europa League
Thursday 8 November 2012 - Kick Off 6pm
This game is live on TV
Udinese
Udinese missed out on making the Group Stage of the Champions League for the second season in succession when they failed to get through the final qualifying stage in a penalty shoot out loss to Sporting Braga. The previous season, Udinese were beaten by Arsenal and their domestic form suggests the success of the last two seasons may be coming to an end.
They have also been a mixed bag in the Europa League and their form was summed up by a surprise 3-1 loss to Young Boys two weeks ago. Udinese still have 4 points to their name which leaves them just 2 short of Liverpool and they also have the edge over the English side as they recorded a 2-3 win at Anfield earlier this season. With 2 games left at home, Udinese will feel they can qualify for the next stage as long as they can win both games.
The side have lost just 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions, that coming in the game at Young Boys and they also bring in some strong recent form at home. Udinese are unbeaten in their last 5 home games in all competitions although they have won just 2 of those games. They did maintain their unbeaten run at home with a 2-2 draw against Catania last weekend, a game that was saved thanks to a last minute equaliser.
Young Boys
Young Boys are already way off the pace in the Swiss top flight and they looked to be all but finished in the Europa League following defeats in their first two Group games. However, they have managed to reinvigorate their challenge in the competition with a win last time out against Udinese.
That win means Young Boys have 3 points and are only 3 points behind the leaders of the Group Liverpool. The win over Udinese gives them a fighting chance of qualifying for the next stage, although they do have tough away games at Udinese and Liverpool to negotiate in their bid to make that a reality and it still looks a big ask for Young Boys.
However, we have to put the win over Udinese in context as that is the only one they have had in 5 games in all competitions and they have been beaten in 3 of those games. Young Boys have failed to win any of their last 5 away games in all competitions, losing 4 of those contests and conceding at least 2 goals in those defeats. Young Boys have won just 1 of their last 5 away games in the Europa League and they have lost 2 of their last 3.
Head to Head
This will be the first time these sides meet in Italy and their game a couple of weeks ago in Switzerland is their only competitive game.
Prediction
This is a big game for both of these sides as they bid to get through to the next stage of the Europa League, but I think Udinese will be a little too strong for a Young Boys side that have struggled away from their artificial turf in recent games.
4 defeats from 5 games shows the vulnerabilities in the Young Boys side and I think Udinese will be strong enough to take advantage.
Udinese may have their 'window closing' after a couple of solid seasons with some of their key players moving on and Antonio Di Natale just getting a little bit older. He remains the key player for the side, but the 1.73 is a little risky on the home win considering they have struggled to turn wins into draws recently.
However, I think they will be a little too good for Young Boys here and I will take the home side to grab the three points.
The Pick :
Udinese 2-0 Young Boys
