European stars impact UEFA Cup bets 2009

It may be Europe’s second tier club competition, but for punters UEFA Cup betting is rarely challenged for excitement.

Teams from Italy will attract interest in the UEFA Cup 2009 betting as the most successful nation in the competition. Italy has provided nine winners but UEFA Cup 2009 odds checkers should note that 1999 was the last time a Serie A side won.

The last time it paid to follow an English side in the UEFA Cup betting was 2001, when Liverpool won the trophy in Dortmund.

UEFA Cup betting eyes on Istanbul

Istanbul will be the focus of UEFA CUP 2009 betting when it hosts the final for the first time, although it’s not the first occasion the Turkish city has been centre stage for a European showpiece.

UEFA Cup betting punters may see Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League victory in Istanbul as an omen for another English success.

Punters checking out UEFA Cup 2009 odds may consider UEFA Cup betting on two teams from the same country reaching the final. It has happened twice in UEFA Cup betting history in the single-final format, with Italian duo Inter and Lazio battling out the ‘98 final and Spanish pair Sevilla and Espanyol meeting in 2007.

Betting interest in new UEFA format

UEFA Cup 2009 betting will be the last under its existing form as UEFA will once again change the tournament’s format for 2009-10.

A total of 160 teams will participate in the ‘UEFA Europa League’, with UEFA Cup odds offered on four qualifying rounds, before the competition splits into groups.

Those eyeing UEFA Cup betting markets should consider that ten losers from the Champions League third qualifying round join the competition at that stage, with 12 groups of four teams.

The eight 3rd placed teams from the Champions League groups then enter at the knockout stage, along with the 12 winners and 12 runners-up from the UEFA Cup groups. Man City, Tottenham and Aston Villa are still flying the flag for England this season, with the favourites, AC Milan, still there and looking the side to beat.