Man City’s Odds to Win the UEFA Cup Slashed

Are City really favourites to win the UEFA CUP?

After a night of surprise results in the UEFA Cup Manchester City have been installed as shock favourites to lift the trophy. Mark Hughes’ side comfortably negotiated their Round of 32 tie against FC København, and in the next round will take on their third Danish opponents of the season, Aalborg, whose 6-1 aggregate defeat of Deportivo La Coruña was the biggest victory margin of the round.

Spain were left without any representatives in the tournament whilst only Udinese remain from Italy. The top two in Ukraine will face each other in the last 16 after Dynamo Kiev and Metalist Kharkiv saw off tough opponents in Valencia and Sampdoria respectively.

Other teams to make it through include Ajax, Marseille, Hamburg, Werder Bremen, Galatasaray and current holders Zenit St. Petersburg.

Tricky opponents next for City

With no stand-out favourites it looks like this season’s route to the final is wide open. City’s 11/2 (Coral) favouritism mystifies me but no doubt the bookies are still underestimating the qualities of Aalborg. Bear in mind though that in their Champions League group they managed a draw at Old Trafford and took 4 points from 6 against Celtic. They also scored 3 at Villareal (although they did lose 6!) and last nights 3-1 win in Spain suggests they won’t be rolled over by an inconsistent City side.

There’s value to be had at this stage of the competition and the Russian and Ukranian teams look a good option. Zenit are 11/1 (Ladbrokes) to retain the trophy but without Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko this term I’m not sure how far they can go. Villa’s conquerors, CSKA, are 2nd favourites in the betting at 8/1 but as impressive as they were in knocking out Martin O’Neill’s team it’s difficult to judge them since Villa weren’t at full strength over the two legs.

20/1 Kiev look good value

For real value I like the look of Dynamo Kiev at 20/1 (Ladbrokes). They top the Ukrainian league, 5 points clear of their next UEFA Cup opponents, Metalist. In knocking out Valencia last night they’ve proven they have something about them and a kind draw could see them make it all the way to the final. They look worth an each way punt at 20s.

Latest odds to win the UEFA Cup

Here’s the full list of odds on who will win the UEFA Cup;

• Man City 11/2 (Coral)
• CSKA Moscow 8/1 (Coral, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power)
• Werder Bremen 9/1 (Blue Sq, Boylesports, Canbet, SkyBet)
• Hamburg 9/1 (Betfred)
• Zenit 11/1 (Ladbrokes)
• Shakhtar 16/1 (Bet365, Centrebet, Paddy Power, Stan James)
• Marseille 18/1 (Totesport)
• Galatasaray 18/1 (Bolesports, Coral, VCBet)
• PSG 20/1 (Totesport)
• Dynamo Kiev 20/1 (Ladbrokes)
• Udinese 20/1 (Betfred)
• Ajax 20/1 (Bet365, Canbet, Coral, Paddy Power, SkyBet)
• Metalist 28/1 (Stan James, Totesport)
• Saint-Etienne 33/1 (Bet365, VCBet, William Hill)
• Braga 40/1 (Bet365, Canbet, SkyBet, William Hill)
• Aalborg 50/1 (SkyBet)

So who’s your money on to win the UEFA Cup this season?

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