Liverpool v Rabotnicki – Europa League 2nd Leg Odds, Preview & Tips

Liverpool v Rabotnicki Odds

Liverpool to win: 1/10 at Stan James
Draw: 9/1 at William Hill
Rabotnicki to win: 33/1 at ExtraBet

After a comfortable first leg 2-0 away win in Macedonia, Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is set to select a stronger squad for the return Europa League fixture at Anfield on Thursday. Liverpool’s first leg came just 18 days after the end of the World Cup, and new boss Hodgson sent out an inexperienced squad, resting some of his senior players. There was no Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole or Glen Johnson, but under fire striker David Ngog scored the brace, and Liverpool were comfortable enough in a dull encounter, which gave them the upper hand in this Europa League Third Round qualifier. In a strange approach to the game, Hodgson actually set up a defensive side and Liverpool’s thoughts about attacking only flourished when there was little caution about doing so. The style of the game showed just how valuable the Europa League is to Liverpool this season, even if they did not send out their strongest side.

The match at Anfield on Thursday could see the Anfield debut of Joe Cole who was picked up for free after being allowed to walk out of Chelsea in the summer. Roy Hodgson is now ready to put out his strongest side that he can for the second leg of the encounter, getting some valuable match fitness and sharpness into his best players. He apparently has no qualms about throwing some senior players back into action, after some of them turned out on a friendly on the weekend. That will mean a return to the competitive side for Captain Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Maxi Rodriguez and probably Cole, but Liverpool still will not be completely at full strength. Fernando Torres, still at the heart of much transfer speculation is out injured, and Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel are not available after only just returning to training.

If Liverpool can beat Rabotnicki away from home with an inexperienced side, then there is not doubt about them repeating the feat. Rabotnicki, coming out of the top of the Macedonian league simply are not good enough. The Macedonians will send out the same side from the first leg in Skopje, and they seem to be resigned to their fate already. One player who won’t be appearing for Liverpool is Javier Mascherano who was not registered for the tournament. Mascherano is expected to leave Anfield to move to Inter Milan, after wan ting to get out of Anfield. Still, even if the senior players do not complete the ninety minutes, Liverpool will be far too strong for the opposition. After this Third Qualifying Round, Liverpool will go in the Europa League Play Off round, the winners of which, will enter the proper Group Stage of the main tournament.

Liverpool to win Europa League: 12/1 at Coral