UEFA Cup Pick: Marseille To Grab The Win

Marseille - Zenit

Pick From UEFA Cup, Round of 16, 1st Leg

It is almost impossible to find a kind of safety bet today when the last 16 teams in UEFA Cup tournament will fight for a breath ahead of the second leg. But I am being tempted to put my finger on the game in France as Marseille look like the top form team at the moment. After a disaster start in the domestic league Marseille improved a lot and started to gain points and confidence. Cisse is doing a great job in front and reminds us for his best years in football.
The two sides were drawn together at the same stage in the 2005/06 competition with the Russians managed to go through, so, the French side has everything to play for if does not want to repeat the history. Marseille look strong on the records as have played nine games against Russian sides, winning five, drawing two and losing two.

To me Zenit look like very much still in preparation and it is hard to believe that this team is strong enough on the visits to avoid the defeat here. It is true they survived another team in form in the previous round, Villareal, but it was also lucky to have the Russian winter on their side at home.

I will go for Marseille to win this one and take the 1.66 offered by bet365 as a good valued bet for my bankroll.