Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United were dumped out of the Champions League in the group stages but demonstrated they are still a force in Europe with a 2-0 win at the Amsterdam Arena in their first leg tie.

Ajax face a huge battle if they are to reach the last-16, with the Dutch side needing at least a 2-0 win themselves if they are to force the tie into extra time.

The Eredivisie outfit need to attack from the off if they are to stand any chance of reaching the next round and, as anyone who watches the Premier League regularly will know, United are always a threat on the break.

There have been reports that England international Wayne Rooney missed training on Wednesday and is a doubt for Ajax’s visit. However, the Old Trafford outfit should still be too strong for the Dutch side, even without their star man, with the likes of Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck and Dimitar Berbatov more than capable of filling the void.

The reigning Premier League champions are the 1/3 favourites to seal the victory, while Ajax are 8/1 and the draw can be backed at 4/1.  However, considering the fact that Ajax simply have to throw men forward it may be worth backing United at 8/11 to secure the win with a -1 handicap, even if they are without Rooney.

In contrast Stoke have a mountain to climb if they are to keep their European campaign alive.  The Potters suffered a 1-0 first-leg defeat at the Britannia Stadium and need to win at the Metsalla if they are to progress in the Europa League.

Valencia are a tough side on home soil and they have only lost two La Liga matches at the Mestalla to date.  Stoke have a reasonable away record domestically, but it is hard to envisage them getting anything at Valencia, even if the Spanish side decided to rest key men Roberto Soldado and Ever Banega as they did in the first leg.

Potters boss Tony Pulis has vowed to name a strong side and go for the win in Spain, but the task ahead of them is a great one and Stoke’s European adventure could well come to an end on Thursday night.

Valencia are 4/9 to secure the win and it is hard to see anything other than a victory for the high-flying La Liga outfit, while a Stoke victory is priced at 13/2 and the draw can be backed at 16/5.

Both Manchester United and Valencia are amongst the favourites to seal Europa League glory, with United priced at 4/1 and Los Che 9/1 to seal the title.  Stoke and Ajax, who have first-leg deficits to recover, can be backed at 80/1 and 200/1 respectively to secure the Europa League crown.

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Boxing Day

Derby v Leeds (13:00)

Simon Grayson’s Leeds travel to Pride Park as they look to continue their excellent away form and should be backed at 11/8 to pick up all three points against Nigel Clough’s side.

Leeds have picked up maximum points in three of their last four away matches and seem to enjoy playing away from Elland Road.

The Yorkshire club did slip up recently at home to Reading but are still just inside the play-off positions and are a good bet to stay there come end of the season.

Derby, on the other hand, are not safe from relegation this season, despite being seven points above the drop zone at this stage. They could so easily be dragged into the fight for survival if they lose two or three games on the spin during the Christmas period.

The Rams have only won one of their last eight fixtures so hardly go into this game in any rich vein of form.

The visitors should have too much class for the home side so take Leeds to beat Derby 2-0 at odds of 10/1.

Barnsley v Blackpool (15:00)

Keith Hill has done a terrific job at Oakwell this season since taking over the reins at Barnsley over the summer from Mark Robins.

The former Rochdale boss was handed one of the smallest budgets in the league when he took over, yet has kept the Yorkshire club clear from the relegation placings.

The 13/8 on the home side looks very good value as Blackpool make the short trip across the Pennines. Craig Davies has proved to be one of the bargain signings of the season in the Championship and is a good bet at 6/1 to score the opening goal in the game.

The former Chesterfield striker has made the leap from League Two with relative ease and has provided regular goals recently, included the one he scored at Elland Road when Hill’s men upset Leeds in their derby clash recently.

Reading v Brighton (15:00)

Brighton made an excellent start to life in the Championship following their promotion from League One last season, but have since struggled for results in the league.

Reading, on the other hand, are just starting to put a decent run together after wins over Leeds and West Ham. The Royals can be relied on to continue that run with another three points at 8/11.

The home side are just two points outside the play-offs and a good run over Christmas could secure a place in the top six by the end of 2011.

Both of these sides have not been troubling the opposition keepers too much in recent matches so it is likely to be tight affair with very few goals.

Take a chance on Reading to come on top with a 1-0 scoreline at 6/1.

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The match was originally due to be played in August but was postponed due to the collective player’s strike and with both sides being arguably the surprise packages of the season so far, victory could give them a massive psychological edge going into the new year.

Udinese have had a superb start to the season after being tipped by many to struggle following the  departure of Alexis Sanchez to Barcelona. However, they have confounded the critics and currently sit third in the table and are also looking strong in the Europa League.

Like most of their recent seasons, much of their fine form has been down to the playmaking abilities of captaincy and talisman Antonio Di Natale (6/5 to score at anytime).

The Italian international has been his team’s shining light since arriving in 2004 and, despite repeated rumours that he could leave, has always remained loyal to his side. Look out for him to have a major impact as he always has a say in his side’s big matches.

The 2011-12 season was viewed by many as a rebuilding year for Juve as they look to re-establish themselves in both Italy and Europe following a disappointing few years. After finishing seventh last season, the Bianconeri brought in former midfielder Antonio Conte to take control of a long-term project, but he has worked his magic almost immediately, and they now sit at the top of the table.

Juve have a number of talented players at their disposal, but their key man is undoubtedly young midfielder Claudio Marchisio (11/4 to score at anytime) who is very much in the Conte mould.

The 25-year-old has shown himself to be one of Europe’s top players so far this campaign and is now firmly at the centre of his team’s plans. His ability normally provides ammunition for the likes of Simone Pepe and Alessandro Matri in the Juve frontline and Conte will be hoping his prodigy produces yet another spectacular performance to help his side to the points.

Marchisio’s partnership with Andrea Pirlo in the heart of the Juve midfield could make the difference as the duo have been exemplary together. Their combination aligned with the form of the Turin side’s front men means it’s hard to not to see them continuing their form and taking the win, but it’ll undoubtedly be a tight (Juventus 11/2 to win 1-0).

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Ipswich v Southampton (7.45)

Nigel Adkins’ Saints have taken their return to the Championship like ducks to water after a 3-1 opening-day demolition job on Leeds which was followed up with a battling 1-0 win at Barnsley on Saturday in which they played for the last six minutes with ten men after Richard Chaplow’s red card.

Ipswich were good on the opening day with new striker signing Michael Chopra (13/8 Anytime Goalscorer) helping to shoot down Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

But Paul Jewell’s men could not follow that up on home soil as Matty Fryatt’s solo strike handed Hull a 1-0 win at Portman Road at the weekend.

It all points towards a club record ninth straight win for the Saints (15/8 Away 90 Minutes) following on from last season’s promotion success, but Ipswich are unlikely to roll over given that they disappointed their own fans at the weekend.

Therefore, back the Tractor Boys to halt the Saints’ run in its tracks on Tuesday night.

Prediction: Ipswich Home 90 Minutes @ 6/4
Value Bet: Chopra M 1st Goal 2-1 Ipswich Scorecast @ 33/1.

Leeds v Hull (7.45)

There have only been two games played so far this season, but it seems there is an element of pressure starting to mount on Leeds boss Simon Grayson’s shoulders following successive league defeats at Southampton and against Middlesbrough at Elland Road on Saturday.

Grayson will point to the ridiculous refereeing decisions which resulted in his side finishing the Boro game with nine men, while the opposition were also reduced to ten, as the key behind the 1-0 defeat.

But that will count for nothing when the Tigers come calling on Tuesday as he will now also be without banned striker Max Gradel and skipper Jonny Howson for the Yorkshire derby.

The arrival of Andy Keogh from Wolves will boost Grayson’s striker options for the game which his side can’t really afford to lose (11/8 Home 90 Minutes).

Nigel Pearson’s men will be on a high, having bounced back from the opening-game defeat to Blackpool and a Carling Cup humiliation at the hands of Macclesfield with an impressive 1-0 win at Ipswich on Saturday and they will no doubt scent a second successive away win (2/1 Away 90 Minutes).

However, Leeds’ defeat to Boro on Saturday was their first reverse on home soil since last October and they will not want to follow that up with a second just three days’ later.

This clash ended 2-2 last season and don?t be surprised if there is a similar outcome this week.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 6/4
Value Bet: Draw 2-2 Correct Score @ 14/1.

Barnsley v Middlesbrough (7.45)

An interesting encounter at Oakwell sees Keith Hill’s Tykes up against Tony Mowbray’s Boro side who are bubbling along nicely so far this season after finishing last term on with four successive wins.

Barnsley started the season well with a creditable goalless draw at Nottingham Forest, before being knocked out of the Carling Cup by Morecambe in a 2-0 defeat at Oakwell last week.

Southampton then took maximum points from the South Yorkshire outfit on their own patch at the weekend. Therefore Barnsley are still searching for their first goal of the season as well as a first three-point haul.

Goals have not been a problem for Boro and, in particular, Dutch striker Marvin Emnes (6/1 First Goalscorer), who scored in the opening day 2-2 draw with Portsmouth at the Riverside, before bagging a hat-trick in the cup at Walsall and then scoring the winner at Leeds on Saturday with a tremendous strike.

It all points to an away win as Boro (6/4 – 90 Minutes) have suffered just one defeat in their last 15 games and have won four away games on the bounce in all competitions.

But Barnsley will be desperate to get off the mark in front of their own fans and have defeated Boro in the past two seasons on home soil (Barnsley 7/4 Home 90 Minutes) so that is worth considering when making a decision on this match.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: Emnes M 1st goal 1-1 Draw Scorecast @ 30/1.

Watford v West Ham (7.45)

The pre-season joint promotion favourites West Ham finally got up and running with a 1-0 win at Doncaster on Saturday thanks to summer signing Kevin Nolan’s early strike (13/2 First Goalscorer) at the Keepmoat Stadium.

It helped to erase the memory of a disappointing opening game defeat against Cardiff at Upton Park the previous Sunday for Sam Allardyce and he will be hoping the Hammers can now progress and go on a good run of results – starting at Vicarage Road on Tuesday.

Sean Dyche started his tenure as Hornets boss with a 2-2 draw at Burnley after his side had led 2-0 at Turf Moor, only to then come down to earth with a bump as Derby secured a 1-0 win at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

The Hammers squad is undoubtedly a lot stronger than Watford’s on paper and if they can continue to gel following their morale-boosting win in South Yorkshire, they will have too much for the hosts.

Prediction: West Ham Away 90 Minutes @ 6/5
Value Bet: West Ham To Win 2-1 Correct Score @ 8/1.

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Liverpool

The two sides do battle again on Thursday having been involved in a closely fought contest two weeks ago, with a goalless draw in Italy.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson could be tempted to play a stronger side for this clash, having fielded a number of youngsters for the away game in Naples.

Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing,  Martin Kelly  and David Ngog all played at the San Paolo Stadium, but the likes of Christian Poulsen and Milan Jovanovic could come into the starting eleven.

Liverpool are dealing with a number of injuries including England winger Joe Cole, who is expected to be sidelined for two weeks, and Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who is also a doubt.

With a Premier League clash with defending champions Chelsea on Sunday and Liverpool still in the bottom half, several key players could still be rested.

The Reds have only conceded a single goal in the competition and they look a decent bet to win in front of their home fans without conceding a goal (Napoli 10/3 to score an away goal).

As for big spenders Manchester City, they travel to Poland to face Lech Poznan in what looks another tough test for Roberto Mancini’s men.

City have lost their last two league games and although they beat Lech 3-1 at home, the Polish outfit created several chances in the Eastlands clash.

The visitors will be without top goalscorer Carlos Tevez, who is not likely to return to action until his side’s derby clash with Manchester United on November 10.

Emanuel Adebayor is likely to start for City, after scoring a hat-trick in the last meeting, while Mario Balotelli is also available.

A fiery atmosphere at the Stadion Miejski will certainly aid the home side, who will feel they can cause a major upset (Poznan 9/2 to win) on Thursday.

The other stand-out fixtures this week see Italian giants Juventus taking on Salzburg at the Stadio Olimpico in City’s group. With the home side sitting fourth in the Serie A, they look too strong on paper for the Austrians.

Meanwhile, defending champions Athletico Madrid face Rosenburg and after a poor 1-1 draw with Almeria in La Liga, a difficult trip to Norway could see the Spanish side struggle (Rosenburg 13/5 to win).

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