Europa League
2012-08-23 - Atromitos Athens vs Newcastle United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Europa League
Thursday 23 August 2012 - Kick Off 6pm
Atromitos Athens
Outside of Greece, Atromitos Athens have to be one of the least known of the sides that play in that City, but they have fought their way back into European competition and also finished runners-up to AEK Athens in the Cup last season.
This is actually only their second ever European tie, the first and only other time they have participated in the UEFA Cup was back in the 2006-07 season. On that occasion, they were comfortably beaten by Sevilla, losing 1-2 at home before a 4-0 loss in Spain.
The side actually finished 4th in the Greek Super League, 23 points behind the eventual winners Olympiakos. That meant they were involved in a four team round robin event to determine whether Atromitos could participate in the Champions League qualifiers, but they missed out to Panathinaikos.
Atromitos finished with a 9-4-2 record at home last season, scoring 17 goals and conceding 8 in those games.
Newcastle United
It is more than a slight surprise that the Premier League didn't move Newcastle United's trip to Chelsea to a Sunday, but that is the situation and means the Magpies have to play twice in a little under 48 hours. Alan Pardew is expected, understandably, to make a number of changes to his starting line up in anticipation of that game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
This will be the first time Newcastle are playing in Europe since the 2006-07 season, like their opponents, and they too have surprised many by finishing high enough in the English Premier League to earn their way into the Europa League. That means the fans will be hoping for a long run in the competition, despite the fact you need to play 19 games to win it.
Newcastle did actually have a decent record in European games away from home before their absence over the last few seasons. In fact, they were 9-1-2 in their previous 12 away games in UEFA/Europa League games.
Hatem Ben Arfa is suspended and Fabricio Coloccini will be kept out to ensure he is ready to return to the team on Saturday. There have been big suggestions that a much changed team will take the field on Thursday with the likes of Cheick Tiote, Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and Papiss Cisse all expected to be left in England.
Head to Head
This is the first meeting between the teams.
Prediction
It is no surprise that Newcastle United's price has been on the drift over the last couple of days as they are playing a tough team in Atromitos and are also expected to make a number of changes to their first team.
Alan Pardew is likely to leave some of his key attacking players at home, but should still send out a strong defence in a bid to ensure his side can complete the job at St James' Park next week. Atromitos have not been a free-scoring side at home as proven by their 17 League goals from their 15 League games last season and that is the biggest reason that I don't feel comfortable in backing the Greek side to get a lead to take to England.
I don't believe a much-changed Newcastle team is capable of winning the game either and all the signs point to a low-scoring draw, something that I will be backing here.
The Pick :
Atromitos Athens 1-1 Newcastle United
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Draw @ 3.30
