PREVIEW: EUROPA LEAGUE ACTION David Smith - Thursday, September 17, 2009
Eddie Johnson and Fulham head east for a date with Bulgarian opposition CSKA Sofia while Tim Howard will man Everton's goal when Greek team AEK Athens pay a visit to Goodison Park.
PFC CSKA Sofia - Fulham FC
Eddie Johnson and the Cottagers head to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia for their first-ever group-stage game in European competition to take on league runners up CSKA Sofia on Thursday night.
After squeezing past Russian debutants Prem to reach the group stage for the first time in team history, Roy Hodgson's men find themselves drawn into one of the higher profile groups which includes Italian team Roma, however must first head to the southeast corner of the European Union to face the classic Bulgarian powerhouse.
The Cottagers' league campaign has gotten off to an inauspicious start with their first four games split between two wins and two losses, however their most recent win over fellow Europa League participants Everton over the weekend sees them heading into Thursday's game seemingly at the top of their game.
Hodgson is expected to rest the majority of his regular starters from the weekend, which could possibly see Johnson, who has been included in the traveling squad.
Dempsey, keeper Mark Schwarzer and weekend hero Damien Duff are being left in London as they recover from slight knocks while first-teamers Danny Murphy, Brede Hangeland, Bobby Zamora, Andrew Johnson are also being rested for the tough upcoming run which includes a Sunday visit to Wolves in league action and a trip to Manchester for a Carling Cup date with City three days later.
Everton FC - AEK Athens FC
Tim Howard will take up his usual post in Everton's goal as coach David Moyes is likely to field a strong squad against Greek team AEK Athens to try to generate some momentum for the Merseysiders' otherwise disastrous season.
Saved from the dubious distinction of holding the league's bottom spot only by the kindness of Portsmouth's own whimsical parade towards annihilation, the Toffees have had little cause for celebration so far with only one win through their first four league games.
Needing any sort of boost to their confidence as they head into their congested fall schedule which has both league and Carling Cup games awaiting on the horizon, Moyes is taking no risk against AEK, in calling in all of his healthy first teamers.
Summer signing Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is expected to make his starting debut in the Toffees' midfield after a short run-out against Wigan, however transfer deadline-day reinforcement John Heitinga is ineligible to compete in the competition throughout the remainder of 2009.
The team did suffer a major blow over the weekend in losing team captain Phil Neville, with the defender expected to be absent for an extended period of time after damaging knee ligaments in the loss to Fulham.
In addition, Mikel Artete, Victor Anichebe and Phil Jagielka continue to be out in recovery from knee injuries and defender Tony Hibbert is suspended after picking up a red card in the previous round, leaving Moyes with serious gaps on the right side of his defense.
Notes
Dominic Cervi has not been registered as a part of Celtic FC's roster for the group stage and will watch from home as they head to Israel to take on Hapoel Tel-Aviv.
Bryan Arguez is not registered to take part with Hertha's group stage effort, and will be away training in preparation for the U-20 World Cup as Hertha Berlin host FK Ventspils.
Jared Jeffrey has been included on Club Brugge's official player list for the group stage, however is preparing for the U-20 World Cup and will therefore miss their opening encounter with current cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine.
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