Thursday, March 15, 2007

UEFA CUP ........ AZ ALKMAAR - NEWCASTLE UNITED


AZ were blown away in the opening stages of the first leg and found theirselves 3-0 down after just 23 minutes. They managed to keep their cool and left St James/ park with "just" a 4-2 loss, the two away goals giving them a lifeline.


The hosts are prolific scorers in Eredivisie, where they average over 2.5 goals in each and every start. They have notched at least two goals in each of their 4 home UEFA Cup ties this season and are looking to protect an amazing European record, where they are unbeaten in 28 home matches.


Think that Louis Van Gaal's team will not be so cavalier tonight, at least in the opening period and showed enough touches of class in the first match, to hint that the tie is far from over.


The Newcastle coach Glenn Roeder suggested in interviews yesterday, that he might adopt a very cautious approach. That could be dangerous, if they allow AZ to take the initiative, the game could very quickly slip away from them.


Home win for me.


4 points AZ -1/4 ball asian line 1.75.


Good Luck.

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