Thirty Europa League first leg qualifying ties taking place on Thursday and some big names contesting this year’s competition.
The likes of Internazionale, Liverpool, Marseille and Lazio are all in action tonight hoping to reach the group stage but the best value can be found in Greece where Newcastle visit Atromitos.
The Athens-based club finished fourth in the Super League last term, thus earning a shot at European football this season, but they were miles off the pace behind champions Olympiacos and Alan Pardew’s side should have nothing to fear.
Atromitos punched well above their weight last term under Bosnian manager Dusan Bajevic and they well do will to repeat their performance, especially having lost Greek international Konstantinos Mitroglou who scored 19 goals in the previous campaign.
Mitroglou has not been adequately replaced and while visiting boss Pardew is sure to rest a few of his established stars, the Premier League club should have enough about them to bag a lead.
Fabricio Coloccini, Cheick Tiote, Demba Ba and Shola Ameobi all stayed in the north-east with minor injuries but star men Papiss Csse and Yohann Cabaye have made the trip and Newcastle have nothing to fear from a side that managed just 32 goals in 30 matches last season.
Atromitos limped over the finish line in spring, scoring just twice in their final five home games, and, with Newcastle buoyed by an opening Premier League win over Tottenham on Saturday evening, the away team look terrific value at 2.66 to all but secure their place in the tournament proper with a victory
One goal could well be enough to land the spoils and it is anticipated the excellent Tim Krul in the Newcastle goal could be in for a quiet night.
2pts Back Newcastle (vs. Atromitos) @ 2.66 (Betfair)