Bet: Dnipro to Outclass the Dons

Aberdeen v Dnipro
UEFA Cup, First Round, First Leg

Jimmy Calderwood reckons that if Aberdeen knock out their Ukrainian counterparts it would be the best result of his career. Now I don’t know if that says more about Aberdeen’s chances or about the ‘bronzed one’s’ own CV. Either way, Aberdeen have drawn a tough one and are going to have be at their very best to progress.

Dnipro sit second, behind Skakhtar, in the Ukrainian league with 7 wins out of 9 so far this season. If this was a horse race, the form shown by Shakhtar against Scottish champions Celtic suggests there might just be big enough gulf in class between the two sides that Dnipro could win this at a canter.

But what of Aberdeen? They currently sit ninth in the SPL after 6 games, their only win was away to Kilmarnock. Not the best of starts for a team who have ambitions of being the 3rd force in Scotland. Tonight they could be without striker Darren Mackie whch leaves them a bit light up front, especially following the recent departure of the experienced Craig Brewster.

Unless Aberdeen can reproduce the one of the famous European glory nights of old at Pittodrie this game could see the tie being over after the first leg. Since Monday the price on Dnipro has been tumbling and they’re now widely available at 6/4. Given that its the first leg of a European tie I’m reluctant to go all out on the Dnipro win, after all they would probably settle for a draw if it was offered to them, that makes the 5/6 at Paddy Power on the Draw no Bet market the most appealing to me.

Selection: Dnipro win (Draw No Bet). £88.83 @ 5/6 at Paddy Power

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