There is a double-header in the third tier on Sunday afternoon, with Coventry City entertaining Stevenage (home 13/10, draw 9/4, away 21/10) and troubled Portsmouth travelling to Crawley Town (home 4/5, draw 5/2, away 7/2).

Momentum plays a key role in modern football and the clubs on show have experienced contrasting fortunes in recent years.

Portsmouth and Coventry, two sides relegated from the Championship last term, have struggled to adapt to life in League One.

In Pompey’s case, that is completely understandable. Michael Appleton saw all of his senior players leave Fratton Park in the summer as the financially-stricken club moved towards liquidation.

The Portsmouth boss fielded a near-youth team in the Capital One Cup first round, with nine players under the age of 21. He brought in 10 new players on short-term contracts and four on loan ahead of their League One opener on August 18, and has continued to add to his squad in the time since.

As you would expect the new-look outfit has struggled to gel and Pompey have amassed just two points from four games.

They travel to Crawley (14/1 – League One outright) this weekend, a club which has achieved back-to-back promotions in the last two seasons. The Reds have had no issues adapting to life in League One – winning three of their opening four matches.

Loanee Nicky Ajose and the experienced Gary Alexander (First Goalscorer and Crawley 2-0 – 25/1 – Scorecast) have led the line superbly and will pose a significant threat to Portsmouth’s backline.

A second relegation in as many years is a real possibility for Pompey and they will not be afforded any favours at Broadfield Stadium (Crawley/Crawley – half-time/full-time – 13/8).

Managerless Coventry, who have financial problems of their own, have yet to win in their first season in the third tier in 48 years.

The Sky Blues established themselves as a top-flight club throughout the latter part of the last century but stood still following their relegation to the Championship in 2001. In their case, they could not find any kind of momentum.

Coventry (Correct Score 1-0 – 7/1), under caretaker bosses Richard Shaw and Lee Carsley, will be desperate to open their account at home to unbeaten Stevenage.

Like Crawley, Boro went straight from the Conference to League One in two seasons. They reached the play-offs in their first season in the third tier and are a good bet to repeat the feat this term.

They are unbeaten in the league going into tomorrow’s clash but will face their most difficult challenge to date at the Ricoh Arena.

Coventry’s desperation for points gives them the edge and should see them get their campaign underway (Draw/Coventry – half-time/full-time 4/1).

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The Galliorossi are currently on a run of four consecutive wins and will travel to Turin full of confidence. However, Antonio Conte’s side have been the epitome of consistency this season and are yet to lose.

After a few years in the doldrums, it now appears as if Juve are back to where they belong and with an exciting young squad, many are predicting that they will soon re-establish themselves as European powerhouses.

Despite not being beaten this season, the Bianconeri have been plagued by draws recently and seem to have lost some of the cutting edge that saw them dominate the early months of the campaign.

Despite this, looking down the squad, it’s obvious they have the potential to score goals from anywhere. However, much of their chances are provided by playmaker Claudio Marchisio (9/4 to score at anytime) who has matured into one of the world’s best players this season. The 26-year-old has been tipped for stardom ever since making his debut in 2006 but has often suffered from inconsistency.

However, this term he has come on leaps and bounds and is now the heartbeat of Conte’s side. His combination with Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo in the heart of the midfield is sure to prove vital and he’ll be looking to have a major impact on the game.

As already mentioned, Roma are currently one of Italy’s form sides and, after a few early season hiccups, now look like a genuine threat to the Champions League places. The Roman club went through somewhat of a changing of the guard in the summer and saw a number of new faces arrive at the Olimpico. However, the players now seemed to have adapted to coach Luis Enrique’s style of play and are now flying.

As with everything good that has happened to the i Lupi over the last decade or so, Francesco Totti’s (15/8 to score at anytime) form has seemed to reflect his side this season. However, he has now rediscovered his consistency prompting calls from Italy coach Cesare Prandelli for him to end his international retirement ahead of Euro 2012.

The veteran trequartista will surely have a say on the outcome of the match and if Roma they’re likely to have Totti to thank.

Both sides are undoubtedly going to be looking to go all out to win the match as in Italy the Cup is held in much higher regard than in other nations. This is sure to help produce an entertaining game but home advantage could make the difference and Juve should take the win but it?ll certainly be close (Juve 7/1 to win 2-1 – correct score).

In the other ties in the Coppa Italia, Chievo take on Siena and Napoli entertain FC Internazionale Milano on Wednesday, while AC Milan play Lazio on Thursday.

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Sporting Lisbon, RSC Anderlecht, PSV Eindhoven, Legia Warszawa, FC Twente and Athletic Bilbao are already through to the next phase of the competition – but 24 games split over November 30 and December 1 means there is still much to be decided.

Tottenham entertain Group A leaders PAOK FC at White Hart Lane level on seven points with Rubin Kazan and off the back of an impressive run in the Premier League which has seen them go 10 games unbeaten.

The north Londoners secured a draw in Greece in the reverse fixture and will be desperate to get back on track after a 1-0 reverse against Russian outfit Rubin last time out.

Stoke City emerged from a run of just two wins from seven games in all competitions with victory against rock-bottom Blackburn in the Premier League on Saturday and have never lost at home in Europe.

The Potters on Thursday entertain FC Dynamo Kyiv, who have yet to win in 10 visits to England, and have scored just twice on English soil.

Fulham travel to the Netherlands, also on Thursday, for a match which sees former Twente player and Cottagers manager Martin Jol return to Enschede in Group K. Co Adriaanse’s men are the group stage’s 12-goal top scorers, but have never beaten an English team in 12 attempts.

Birmingham have lost just once in 13 games in all competitions and have only lost once in Europe so far this season – against Sporting Braga.

Blues are one of three teams on seven points in Group H and on Wednesday travel to Portugal hoping to inflict a third straight defeat in all competitions on Os Arcebispos.

Celtic face an acid test of their Group I credentials on Wednesday when they entertain leaders Atletico Madrid.

The Scottish side’s only defeat in the Europa League so far this season came against the La Liga outfit and they could go top of the section with a win.

The rejuvenated Hoops made it five straight wins following the 5-0 thrashing of St Mirren in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Celtic Park on Saturday, but Los Colchoneros have emerged from a dreadful October to lose just twice in six games in all competitions.

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