/ Editor / 23 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Star striker Gervinho (left) may be rested by Rudi Garcia tonight if the manager decides the Europa League isn't a priority
Add to that the consideration that Lille, who are [4.1] to win in Eindhoven, have not won in eight European away games and PSV ([1.97]) are unbeaten in ten (including eight wins) and it is difficult to look beyond the Eredivisie leaders.
The first leg was turned on its head in a couple of minutes and now it's Lille who have it all to do. But with the French outfit looking to win their domestic league, this one should only go one way...
With Lille more concerned about defending their Ligue 1 lead, PSV are ready to take full advantage in Eindhoven on Thursday.
When a side is faring unexpectedly well on the home front at the business end of the season it is never easy to work out just how hard they will try in Europe. Lille have surprised even themselves by taking Ligue 1 by storm and at this stage of the campaign you wonder whether Rudi Garcia perceives the Europa League as a boon or a bind.
The French side have the quality to easily sweep aside PSV, but two away goals conceded in the last ten minutes of the first leg has left them needing a win in Holland. Lille looked in control when Idrissa Gueye and Tulio De Melo scored in the opening half-hour at the Stade Métropole, but two late goals in a minute by Wilfried Bouma and Ola Toivonen turned the tie on its head.
That setback was subsequently compounded by Lille's first league defeat - at Montpellier - in 14 matches. With Lyon and Marseille up next in Ligue 1, Garcia must be more concerned about how to preserve his side's two-point lead - rather than negotiating potentially seven more matches before reaching a European final.
Add to that the consideration that Lille, who are [4.1] to win in Eindhoven, have not won in eight European away games and PSV ([1.97]) are unbeaten in ten (including eight wins) and it is difficult to look beyond the Eredivisie leaders.
Lille have bigger fish to fry and to be honest if they cannot beat Vaslui (0-0), Gent (1-1) Levski Sofia (2-2) or Sporting Lisbon (0-1) on their travels why should they beat a PSV side in rich goalscoring form? The draw, incidentally, is available at [3.75].
Recommended bet: Lay Lille @ [4.1]; HT/FT Draw/PSV @ [5.1]
A goalless draw in the first leg means this tie is perfectly poised but a repeat of the goal drought is very unlikely with Villarreal at home and Napoli often more adventurous when they're away from the San Paolo. Over...
The first leg was turned on its head in a couple of minutes and now it's Lille who have it all to do. But with the French outfit looking to win their domestic league, this one should only go one...
Porto are very much in the driving seat after winning the first leg in Spain and Sevilla will have no option but to go for it. All of which means goals should be on the cards again......
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