Europa League - Group I Preview Nov 4th, 2010
Group I of Europa League is another tight affair as any of the top three teams can still qualify for the last 16 and all will be at stake in the two matches to be played tonight.
In the first match, PSV Eindhoven will face off against Debreceni of Hungary while in the second; Sampdoria will welcome Metalist Kharkiv to Italy.
Here is a preview of the two matches:
PSV vs. Debreceni VSC
(Philips Stadion (Eindhoven) - Thursday November 4th, 2010)
It should be no more than a routine win for PSV when they host the Hungarian minnows, Debreceni at Philips Stadion in Eindhoven. Fred Rutten's Rood-Witten side has registered two wins in their last two outings in this competition and it is likely that they
will register a third also tonight against an opponent that has failed to register even a single point in the competition so far.
Tonight’s fixture for Debreceni is a do or die clash as anything less than a win will surely eliminate them from the competition while a win will keep their lingering hopes alive. PSV are going into this match on the back of their first loss in the league
at the hands of FC Twente Enschede, a loss that saw their 27 matches unbeaten streak come to an end.
PSV will be the overwhelming favourites for the game tonight but with all to play for the Hungarians, it may just spring a surprise in Eindhoven.
PSV will make sure of their progress into the next round if they win tonight as three points will see them reach the magical figure of 10 points which will be enough for them to go through.
Sampdoria vs. Metalist Kharkiv
(Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, (Genoa) - Thursday November 4th, 2010)
Matalist Kharkiv will travel to Genoa in Italy with the hope of putting their one foot in the last 16 of Europa League with a win against the Polecats. Despite a loss in the previous fixture, Sampdoria will know that this is a game that they can win and
the home support may just spur them on.
Metalist leapfrogged the Italians into second spot in the group on the previous match day with a victory at home. A double will surely get them into pole position for qualifying for the last 16 of Europa league while a loss will make matters difficult for
Sampdoria.
Taison, Metalist Kharkiv’s free scoring striker was sent off in the last game and will be suspended for the game tonight in Genoa. In his absence, Cleiton Xavier will have the responsibility of leading the attack.
Sampdoria returned to winning ways in Serie A after a run of five consecutive draws. Domenico Di Carlo's side knows that tonight's game at home is a must win for them as anything less than a win may prove to be cataclysmic for them in the competition.
Sampdoria held Rafa Benitez’s Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw just over a week ago and after winning their last game in the league, they will be hoping that they can get a result tonight against their high flying opponents.
Antonio Cassano is still not likely to feature in the game after he publically swore at the club President, Riccardo Garrone. In his absence, Nicola Pozzi is set to lead the home side’s attack tonight.
Clubs
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
+/-
1
PSV Eindhoven
3
2
1
0
5
2
3
7
2
FC Metalist Kharkiv
3
2
0
1
7
3
4
6
3
UC Sampdoria
3
1
1
1
3
3
0
4
4
Debreceni VSC
3
0
0
3
1
8
-7
0
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