Wolfsburg v Everton

Europa League

Group H

Match Day 5

Volkswagen Arena

27-11-2014 @ 18.00 GMT

How are the two sides current form?

Wolfburg are second in Europa League Group H only a point after Everton, before the two sides meet at Volkswagen Arena. The last match between the two sides ended with a comfortable 4-1 win to Everton by goals of Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines, Kevin Mirallas and an owngoal by Wolfsburg left-back Ricardo Rodriguez.

What are the probable line-ups?

Daniel Caligiuri, Adelino Vieirinha, Felipe Aliste Lopes and Patrick Ochs are all sidelined for Wolfsburg while Everton has to do without nine players including Gareth Barry.

Benaglio

Knoche - Naldo - Trasch - Rodriguez

Guilavogui - De Bruyne - Luiz Gustavo - Perisic

Vierinha - Olic

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Lukaku

Barkley - Naismith - Mirallas

Osman - McCarthy

Hibbert - Distin - Jagielka - Coleman

Howard

Worth keeping an eye on

Wolfsburg - Kevin de Bruyne: The former Chelsea talent is the creative playmaker on the Wolfsburg side and the star at Volkswagen Arena. If he gets the space needed to perform his best, he will be a problem for Evertons defense and chances in Germany.

Everton - Ross Barkley: Ross Barkley just keeps getting better and better and the talent is one of the primary forces in the Everton attack. He might not score as many goals as hoped for, but he often creates the chances for Romelu Lukaku.

What to expect from this match?

Everton are the favorites at Volkswagen Arena, especially after the match at Goodison Park. The Toffees looks stronger than Wolfsburg at the moment, and I think we will see that in the match on Thursday. However, the Germans are not a side that gives at the door and we can expect them to put up a fight against Everton.

What are the odds?

Wolfsburg: 1 (Coral)

Draw: 11/4 (BetVictor)

Everton: 16/5 (BetVictor)

Czech Republic is 3rd in the World Cup Qualification Group B with five points after their first three matches, and a goalscorer of +2. Czechoslovakia has so far scored three goals; one by Jan Rezek, Tomas Pekhart and Theodor Gebre Selassie. The last match that the nation played was a friendly against Turkey, which they lost 2-0. The Czechs will need a win against Denmark as Bulgaria (2nd) is meeting Malta, a match which they are expected to win.

Denmark has not played as many fans hoped before the start of the World Cup Qualification. The Danes are currently positioned 5th in the Group as will have to win against both Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Malta if they will have any hopes of playing in Brazil next summer. So far, Denmark only has two points on their account and a goalscorer of -2. The last match that the Danes played was against Makedonia which they lost 3-0.

The last four matches between the two nations have ended in  draws as we have to go back to 2004 to find that latest win. Back then, Czech Republic won 3-0.

Cech

Selassie - Kadlec - Sivok - Limbersky

Rosicky - Plasil

Jiracek             -             Darida 

Pekhart - Tecl

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Cornelius

Eriksen - Jørgensen - Rommedahl

 

Stokholm - Zimling

Wass - Agger - Kjær - Jacobsen

Schmeichel

What to expect from this match?

Both teams need a victory in this match. However, Denmark is probably in more need than the Czechs. As mentioned before, Denmark will have to win against the Czech Republic, Malta and Armenia is they want to play in Brazil next summer. However, the dream might already be crushed on Friday as the Czech seems to a big mouthful for the Danes as 45% of the players are playing in the Danish league.

The Czech Republic has played well so far in the Qualification, and against a Danish team with lack of routine they can make severe damage. Despite Denmark has to get a result in this match, we might see them rather playing rather defensive while the Czech will have a commanding role.

What are the odds?

At the moment, Bwin is the only bookmaker with odds ready for the match, according to oddschecker.com. A Denmark win gives a 3/5 while a draw pays back 11/5. You can make quite a win if you put you money on Czech Republic with the odds 17/5.

Crystal Palace is in possession of a player that all the big clubs in England wants – it seems the fame has sent Wilfried Zaha to the sky.

No doubt, the attacking player, has a talent that many envy, but the latest statement from the new England player, makes you wonder if he is clear in his head. Being interviewed by Sportsmail, Zaha said:

Even though, the talent is not to be mistaken, the words have made many shake their heads. Zaha might be incredible for Crystal Palace, but the Premier League target still has to show that he can deliver in the best leagues in the world, as well as on the international level.

Furthermore, Zaha’s high thinking of himself leads the thoughts onto a certain Dane – Nicklas Bendtner. The Danish striker has always believed that he is better than he actually is. That is probably why he today is benchwarmer in Juventus rather than the top striker he dreamed of becoming.

It seems that more and more young talents have to high thoughts about themselves. I’m not saying that they should not have high hopes for their career, but becoming the world’s best footballer takes more than just  a big mouth.