Europa League Picks

The Europa League draw also occured this week, giving United fans a glimpse at what's to come on our quest to try and redeem ourselves in Europe. Maybe. I can't even call most of these predictions, since I don't know enough about most of these clubs. So I'll be making most of the picks based purely on what team I find less objectionable. That said, here goes...

-Porto v Manchester City
Porto are always crafty, and strong against English opposition. I have a feeling the wheels are going to fall off for City before too long, and I don't think they're going to make it out of this round. Forward the Portuguese!

-Ajax v Manchester United
Clearly I'm backing United to advance. What kind of fan would I be otherwise?

-Lokomotiv Moscow v Athletic Bilbao
And here's the first of the matchups I know nothing about. I'll pick... the Russians.

-Salzburg v Metalist
Ahem, who? Metalist gets the pick, because they have the more badass name.

-Stoke City v Valencia
As much as I want to support the Potters in this effort, Valencia looked pretty good in the CL group stage, and are generally a pretty good team. Fuck it, I'm still going with Stoke.

-Rubin Kazan v Olympiacos
I maintain that the Greeks play lousy football. Rubin to advance.

-AZ Alkmaar v Anderlecht
Based on my fondness for the Dutch, AZ get the vote.

-Lazio v Athletico Madrid
I feel the same way about most Italian clubs as I do the Greeks. Onward Athletico!

-Steaua v FC Twente
Twente. Can't dignify this one with a real comment.

-Plzen v Schalke 04
Schalke were last year's "dark horse" of the CL until grinding to a halt against United. Plzen were wholly unimpressive in CL this year, and I look for that trend to continue. Schalke to go on.

-Wisla v Standard Liege
Cripes, who knows? Standard. But only becaue their full club name is ludicrously long.

-Braga v Besiktas
Oh those crazy Turks. Gotta love 'em.

-Udinese v PAOK
Uh oh. Italians vs Greeks? The real loser of this snoozefest will be anyone who watches is. Udinese to make it through, I guess. Probably on a 1-nil aggregate.

-Trabzonspor v PSV Eindhoven
More crazy Turks, but I like the Dutch better.

-Hannover 96 v Club Brugge
Ugh, this post is growing tiresome. I shall pick ze Germans!

-Legia Warsaw v Sporting Lisbon
Polska! Polska! Polska!