By David Hein
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Don't be surprised if Newcastle United manager Glenn Roeder doesn't put out his top lineup for the British side's Thursday UEFA Cup tie against Eintracht Frankfurt.

For one reason, Newcastle has already clinched first place in Group H and with it qualified for the 32-team knockout stage.

For another, the players can use the rest as United is dangerously close to the bottom of the Premiership -- its home victory against Portsmouth moved it just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Oh, and many of Roeder's top guns are out.

Over the past week, winger Damien Duff and Craig Moore were both declared out for the next month. Celestine Babayaro and Stephen Carr both missed the Portsmouth game and could miss the Frankfurt encounter.

Add that quartet to strikers Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi, who are both out for the season, and goalkeeper Steve Harper -- on the sidelines after minor groin surgery -- and Roeder just hopes his team returns from Germany in full health.

Those factors put together as well as the fact that Frankfurt needs a victory to stay in contention for the knockout stage make Newcastle a +333 WagerWeb.com underdog.

Staying in Group H, Turkish club Fenerbahce travels to Celta Vigo on the heels of an important victory over Palermo last week, which puts it in second place with three points from two games -- two points more than Celta.

"We played one of our best games of the season so far," Fenerbahce striker Mateja Kezman said after the Palermo win. "I am proud to have beaten one of the in-form teams in Italy. Now the path is open for us in the group. We will get at least a point at Vigo, then defeat Eintracht Frankfurt at home."

Fenerbahce is also a +333 underdog, with Viga getting -138 odds for a home victory.

Another group leader in action this week is Spanish outfit Espanyol, which travels to Dutch giant Ajax Amsterdam with two victories in two games in Group F.

Ernesto Valverde's Spaniards thrashed Zulte Waregem 6-2 and are banking on the UEFA Cup this season after dropping to the lower ranks of the Primera Division in Spain.

Espanyol's hopes in the UEFA Cup were helped when Ajax could only gain a draw at Sparta Prague.

"It was an important game and a vital victory against an unbeaten rival. It was a big thing for us to score goals, and Ajax's result takes pressure off us," Espanyol striker Luis Garcia said.

The Dutch, who have four points from two games, are still -137 favourites on WagerWeb.com for the match.

Perhaps the most intriguing encounter will take place in France as Lens welcomes Group D leader Parma for a top-two battle. The host is a strong favourite to take over the standings with a home win.

Leader Panathinaikos Athens can advance to the knockout stages from Group G with a home win over Rapid Bucharest.

In Group A, Maccabi Haifa travels to Italy to face Livorno knowing a victory would put it at the top of the table with nine points from four games. Idle Rangers is currently leading with seven points.

Group C leader AZ Alkmaar looks to grab its third straight victory as it welcomes Slovan Liberec. And Bayer Leverkusen hopes to right its ship in a Group B battle at Dinamo Bucharest.

And in Group E, Nancy hosts Feyenoord in a battle of teams just hoping to move onto the next stage of the competition.
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