Levski - Villarreal
Football: Europa League 2009/2010
Wednesday, 2nd December 2009. Kickoff 19:00

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Levski (Bulgaria)

Levski entertain Spanish side Villarreal on Wednesday hoping to come away with a decent result and finally claim a point in the group.

They have been unlucky to lose both games against Red Bull Salzburg by the odd goal in the last two games and now will seek to make amends in front of their fans and at least claim a point against the Spanish side.

Georgi Ivanov has transformed the Bulgarian champions since taking over as they are now looking more confident and determined. The 1:0 home defeat against Red Bull in early November is their only defeat in seven games and the players now look more determined to get decent results.

Levski Sofia earned a 3:1 win at home to Montana on Saturday and come to the game with good morale. Georgi Petrkov remains on the sidelines with a calf problem and Bozhidar Mitrev should make a first European appearance of the season. Mariyan Onyanov and Lachezar Baltanov are out with muscle injuries. The ineligible Dimitar Telkiyski and the long-term absentee Vladimir Gadzhev are out as well.

Chakibe Benzoukane is back in the squad after spending the last few weeks with the reserves and should make the bench. Georgi Sarmov is banned for the game after being sent off in the previous game. Sasa Simonovic should come in as a replacement in midfield even though Hristo Yovov is still short of fitness due to a hamstring problem picked on Saturday and will start on the bench along with Georgi Hristov who shook off a foot knock picked against Montana.

Villarreal (Spain)

Villarreal were beaten 1-0 in the league by Sporting de Gijon at the weekend. It was a setback to their hopes of quickly climbing the league table but they deserved it on the whole, despite some heroic interventions by Diego Lopez.

Villarreal kept their hopes of an extended run in the Europa League alive with a 4-1 win over Lazio on matchday four but they still sit third in Group G and need a couple of positive results in these remaining games in order to guarantee their progress.

Their form in the last five matches in all competitions is WLWWL. They beat Levski Sofia 1-0 at the Madrigal in September.

The principal novelty on the plane to Bulgaria is Santiago Cazorla who has been cleared to play after his hernia problem. He will have to displace Robert Pires or Ruben Cani to force his way into the first team. Javi Venta is out for the same reason he missed the weekend match: a hamstring strain.

Joseba Llorente dropped out at the last minute because of illness. He will be replaced in the 19-man travelling squad by Jonathan Pereira. Pereira was rested for the trip to Sporting on Saturday.

So was Fabricio Fuentes, but he has found a place on the list again because of the suspension to Gonzalo Rodriguez. The defender is suspended in Europe and in La Liga next weekend having seen red four times already in this campaign. Either Fuentes or Ivan Marcano will start in his place against the Bulgarians.

Betting advice

Bulgarian clubs have proved to be good clients during this Europa League campaign.

No matter what positive changes are going on at Levski I still consider that the quality margin is immense between the sides and given Villarreal go into the tie motivated for a positive result - I would give them an edge.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Villarreal (-0.75) @ 1.51 with Bet365