EMMET RYAN ON EUROPEAN FOOTBALL: The reigning champions of Europe enter the knockout stages tonight while British clubs will be aiming high in the Europa League on Thursday. It’s time to pick some winners.
We start with the big one on Wednesday night as Real Madrid travel to the beautifully named city of Gelsenkirchen to take on Schalke. The German club is one of those teams that always seems to hang about in the Champions League in spite of itself. Rarely do Schalke get the Arsenal treatment at this stage of the competition, by drawing a big gun right out of the blocks. Tonight they are not so lucky. Tonight they host the biggest dog in the yard. Tonight they are going to be on the receiving end of a whupping.
The Bundesliga club is fighting to make it back to this competition next year and its form is good but far from enough to think they will stand tall tonight. Real have two goals in mind this year, retaining this trophy and winning La Liga. I don’t expect them to be anything less than merciless tonight. Look for the reigning champions to start hot and punish Schalke throughout. I’m taking Real Madrid/Real Madrid at 2.14 on the Half-time/Full-time.
When Celtic beat Inter Milan in 1967, it was one of the greatest nights in European football history as the champions of Scotland ruled the continent. Neither club is anywhere near the top of the continent now but they harbour dreams of going far in the Europa League. After some sorry form, Inter have found their scoring touch again in recent games, banging four past Atalanta and three past Palermo in their last two Serie A outings. Celtic remain top of the table in Scotland but they actually have to work to win the title this year. I don’t like the home side here and fancy Inter to win it on the night. Take Inter at 2.48 to win.
And finally, Harry Kane. The latest hyped up English striker takes his talents to the European stage on Thursday night as Tottenham host Fiorentina. The Europa League is of significant importance to Spurs as it is their best way of getting into the Champions League next season. Winning this competition would be huge for the North London club and they face a Fiorentina team that isn’t loaded with threats. Spurs may have taken the group stage lightly and that has made the market cautious but it’s business time now. Bet on Spurs at 2.08 to win.
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