PREVIEW: MIDWEEK UEFA CUP ACTION Christopher Anderson - Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Martin Rose/Bongart
Arguez unlikely to play
Carlos Bocanegra and Rennes need to overturn a deficit, while Danny Califf and FC Midtjylland hope to complete the upset over Manchester City.
Rennes - Stabæk IF
The Red and Blacks of Rennes hope the momentum from last weekend's energizing comeback win against Lille will carry them to victory as they host Norwegian club Stabæk IF.
American defender Carlos Bocanegra is expected to get the start for coach Guy Lacombe, as he did in the away leg two weeks ago, but US youth international MIkkel Diskerud is not expected to be featured for the Norwegians.
Although defeated 2-1, Rennes picked up a priceless away goal courtesy of Moussa Sow, who also scored the game winner in last weekend's match.
Ghanaian international Gyan Asamoah will be unable to play after picking up a thigh injury in the final moments of Sunday's win.
The Norwegian club is coming off a 1-1 draw on the weekend with FC Lyn Oslo, but still sit on top of the standings in the Norwegian Premier League.
Aston Villa - FH Hafnarfjördur
Aston Villa and their two American goalkeepers host the winners of their third consecutive Icelandic League title at Upton Park on Thursday night. The Villans cruised to a 4-1 victory in Reykjavik two weeks ago, but are licking their wounds from an embarrassing 3-2 loss to recently-promoted Stoke City.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill will likely choose stalwart keeper Brad Friedel, with compatriot Brad Guzan the possible backup.
FC Midtjylland – Manchester City
Danny Califf and the Wolves handed Manchester City their first ever home loss to a foreign team two weeks ago by a score of 1-0. In that game the American defender went the distance and is expected to do the same for the Wolves on Thursday night at SAS Arena in Herning, Denmark.
City coach Mark Hughes will be looking for a performance similar to last weekend's 3-0 dismantling of West Ham.
However defender Micah Richards is not expected to make the trip after being knocked unconscious in the same match. Bulgarian international Valeri Bojinov, Benjani Mwaruwari and Darius Vassell round out the list of injured players.
St. Patrick's Athletic - IF Elfsborg
Ryan Guy is expected to feature in coach John McDonnell's starting lineup as the Saints welcome Swedish club Elfsborg to Richmond Park.
Two weeks prior St. Pat's nabbed two priceless away goals at Borås Arena near Gothenburg in a match that saw Guy go the distance and dish out the equalizing assist, but pick up a yellow card as well.
Elfsborg are coming off a 2-0 loss to Örebro SK but still sit in second in the Allsvenskan.
Notes
Bryan Arguez will hope to make the bench when the Hertha Belrin host Slovenian team IB Ljubljana with a comfortable two-goal advantage.
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