By David Lee Wheatley
English clubs face stern tests
Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle all go into their Europa League quarter-final 2nd leg ties with differing, but equally difficult, tasks on their hands in order to qualify for the next round.
Chelsea look the most comfortable of the three having triumphed 3-1 at home to Rubin Kazan in the first leg, but they face a long trip and will be disappointed to have conceded an away goal at Stamford Bridge that gives Rubin some hope of clawing back the deficit.
The Blues had a great week when winning in the FA Cup against Manchester United on Easter Monday, Rubin on Thursday and then Sunderland on Sunday in the Premier League. Tired legs may be a factor in their quest for Europa League glory, but boss Rafa Benitez will hope Chelsea can continue their forward momentum.
Spurs were lacklustre for large parts of their first leg match with Basel at White Hart Lane and had to come back from two-down to draw. The Swiss are a competent outfit and I fear for Spurs' chances of making it through to the semi-finals. Inconsistency and some dodgy defending have crept into their game of late and this tie with Basel may prove a step too far for AVB and his boys.
Newcastle started brightly in the Estadio da Luz last week, in an unusually wet Lisbon, by taking the lead against Portuguese giants Benfica. However, it all fell apart as the home side found their rhythm to record a fine 3-1 victory.
The Magpies will have one eye on Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby and it's difficult to guess what Alan Pardew will do with his team selection with that in mind. Will he go for the jugular, knowing that Newcastle have that away goal that keeps them in the tie? Or, will the former West Ham manager seek to rest some key players ahead of the huge clash with rivals Sunderland?
If it's the former choice that Pardew settles on, then it isn't inconceivable that United could turn the match around in front of their own fans tonight. I believe the Newcastle boss will give it a real go to get past Benfica this evening before focusing on derby day.
It all makes for a very intriguing night's football as the English sides in the Europa League attempt to make up for the Premier League's failings in this season's Champions League.
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