PREVIEW: EUROPA LEAGUE ACTION David Smith - Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Clint Dempsey can expect to start for a full-strength Fulham team when Basel come for a visit while Tim Howard looks to notch a fifth straight shut-out on Everton's trip to Belarus.
Fulham - FC Basel
After missing Fulham's opening Group E game in Bulgaria, Clint Dempsey will be on the field as Roy Hodgson's squad looks for their first victory in Group E when Swiss team FC Basel visits the Craven Cottage.
Dempsey was spared the trip to Sofia two weeks prior as a largely backup-dominated Fulham squad scraped a 1-1 draw with their hosts on a 65th minute goal from Diomansy Kamara.
With a pair of tough games against other group members Roma just around the corner, taking the full three points at home will be paramount for the Cottagers on Thursday.
Last year's third-place finishers in the Swiss Super League will be no pushovers, however, as they pulled out a shocking 2-0 home win over Roma in their opening game, and currently sit first in the group.
Hodgson faces a minor goalkeeping crisis, as usual backup David Stockdale picked up a knee injury ruling him out, and his official "B-list" keepers from the reserves are also all out injured, leaving him no officially-registered alternative should starter Mark Schwarzer suffer any misfortune in the game.
The club has petitioned for the emergency registration of former Basel keeper Pascal Zuberhuhler, however still await a final decision from UEFA.
In addition, winger Damien Duff, central defense star Brede Hangeland, midfielder Dickson Etuhu and midfielder Simon Davies are all sidelined with various knocks.
Forward Eddie Johnson has not been listed for Fulham's gameday squad.
Basel is reporting no injuries or suspensions heading into the match.
BATE Borisov - Everton
Tim Howard will look to continue Everton's remarkable turnaround and extend his own 371 minute streak through all competitions without a goal conceded as the Toffees head east to take on BATE Borisov.
With the team's horrendous start to their Premier League campaign seemingly halted on the strength of a pair of wins over Portsmouth and Blackburn, David Moyes' men can better enjoy the fruits of last season's labor in the form of a trip to sunny Belarus.
The Toffees have gone on a tear as of late, running off four straight wins in all competitions by a combined 12-0 scoreline, and not allowing a goal since their September 13 league loss to Fulham.
The streak began with their 4-0 thrashing of Greek opponents AEK Athens in their group I opener, and they can go a long way to securing one of the top two spots with the full three points over the Belarussian champions.
Borisov put up a brave fight during their opening game against Benfica in Lisbon, but ultimately fell thanks to a pair of first half goals by the Portuguese and currently sit in third place, ahead of the Greeks on goal differential.
Defenders John Heitinga and Lucas Neill are both ineligible to play while striker Louis Saha is suspended for his red card against AEK. In addition, Steven Pienaar picked up a knee injury over the weekend against Portsmouth and midfielder Jack Rodwell has not made the trip as he recovers from the flu.
Still occupying spaces on Moyes' ever-growing injury list are Phil Neville, Mikel Artete, Victor Anichebe and Phil Jagielka who continue to be out in recovery from serious knee injuries.
Notes
Dominic Cervi has not been registered as a part of Celtic FC's roster for the group stage and will watch from the stands as they try to get their first group points when Rapid Vienna come to town.
Bryan Arguez is in Egypt playing in the U-20 World Cup and will not participate when Hertha head south to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon.
Jared Jeffrey is with the US U-20 National Team in Egypt and will not make the trip with his Club Brugge teammates when they head to France to take on Toulouse.
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