We're grateful to the Europa League for giving us some entertainment this Thursday night but the two semi-finals are tough to call.
One theory to ponder is that the longer travel for the pampered players may have a negative impact on their performance.
Barcelona and Lyon were beaten away from home in the Champions League and, while this isn't enough evidence in itself, it's reasonable to presume the extra hassle may have a negative effect on Fulham and Liverpool's performances.
All is not fine and dandy for Hamburg and Atletico Madrid domestically and the Spanish side are without suspended key man Sergio Aguero.
Hamburg do have the incentive of knowing they'll be on home turf if they get into the final and we expect them to pressure Roy Hodgson's side so a buy of home multi-corners at 12 is one option to consider on the spreads.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will prove a huge threat to the Cottagers but it's wrong to write off the Londoners, who are a big 9/2. We reckon Hamburg can squeak it 2-1 (a juicy 8/1 with Sky Bet) to leave everything to play for in the second leg.
Hodgson has opted for his tried and tested formula and Brede Hangeland will have to produce another top-class display at the back with Bobby Zamora supported by Zoltan Gera and Simon Davies.
Liverpool will miss Fernando Torres, that's for sure, and they have been unusually fragile away from home but we're going for the draw at 11/5 with Victor Chandler. A score draw will suit Rafa Benitez and 1-1 is our correct score prediction at 6/1 with Blue Square.
