UEFA Cup
2008-04-24 - Glasgow Rangers vs Fiorentina
A Sports Betting Pick by Simon
Rangers & Fiorentina Repeat Historic European Final
Glasgow Rangers of the Scottish Premier League, face Serie A side Fiorentina, in the other semi-final.
The Scots are victims of their own success, as the first leg at Ibrox will be their 57th game of a season that has already brought success in the Scottish League Cup, an upcoming Scottish FA Cup final appearance, and the strong likelihood of the SPL title.
Defeat in the Old Firm Derby last week was however a blow, and they again face Celtic three days after this game, providing further distraction. Fatigue shouldn’t however, be an issue as the Gers eye their first European final in 38 years.
There will be inevitable references to when the sides met 47 years ago in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final which the Italians won, however, recent form is far more relevant.
Rangers are yet to concede at home in the competition, while La Viola showed their mettle on the road, winning 2-0 at European stalwarts, PSV Eindhoven in the last eight.
Adrian Mutu scored both goals on that occasion, and the Romanian is showing a new found maturity, leaving behind the controversy of his departure from Chelsea after drug issues.
Fiorentina are on course to displace AC Milan as the fourth placed qualifiers for next season’s Champions League showing their rising pedigree.
PinnacleSports.com could NOT split the sides for this first leg offering "level ball" handicap odds of Rangers 1.980 and Fiorentina 1.943 - but betting money has come onto the Italian side pushing their price down now.
TEAM NEWS
Rangers are without nine members of their first-team squad for the semi-final.
Key personnel such as goalkeeper Allan McGregor, the hero of the Round of 16 victory over Werder Bremen, midfielder Lee McCulloch and winger Chris Burke are all nursing injuries while Kevin Thomson and skipper Barry Ferguson are suspended.
Fiorentina have midfielder Marco Donadel suspended, while Tomas Ujfalusi suffered a thigh strain in the weekend win against US Citta di Palermo – and will wait until the last minute to prove his fitness.
THE VERDICT
Rangers are missing a lot of players but they're still very much likely to stick to the pattern that's been successful and that suggests a careful low scoring affair.
I feel that Fiorentina are a real danger in attack though, and this time the draw might not be scoreless.
The Pick :
Glasgow Rangers 1-1 Fiorentina
BEST BETTING TIP :
Consider a pair of bets :Take the DRAW at prices of 3.20
Take A.MUTU (Fio) to score anytime @ 3.40 at PaddyPower
