Football betting: Uefa Cup outright

For those of you still ruing your decision not to follow the sage summer counsel of this column by backing Atlético Madrid to win the UEFA Cup @ 16/1 (Paddy Power), do not be alarmed. The second favourites are still a reasonable 9/1 with Bet365 and Totesport. Click here for a free £10 to t on the Uefa Cup with Ladbrokes After Bayern Munich were drawn to play Aberdeen in the last 32 of the tournament most bookies placed a restrictive 3/1 price on the German outfit with the excessive haste of an overprotective father. Bayern are indeed a highly attractive daughter, boasting one of the finest array of strikers in Europe, but Felix Magath is struggling to prevent his high-maintenance lovely from going off the rails. Although joint top of the Bundesliga, the FC Hollywood tag is threatening to haunt the club once more and, as against Bolton recently, complacency could well cost them in one of their subsequent ties. Atlético are not flying quite so high as their German counterparts in Spain but, unlikely as they are to threaten the Real Madrid/Barca stranglehold, they are strong candidates to finish in the top four, lying as they do, just a point behind fourth-placed Villarreal and two short of Espanyol, in third. The Mattress Makers have one of the biggest squads in Europe and, after splashing out tens of millions on quality midfielders Simão, Luis García, Cléber and Raúl García, are beginning to reap the rewards of their heavy investment strategy. As the squad takes time to gel, league success cannot be expected this year, however after thrilling 4-3 wins against Sevilla and Villarreal this season, the club from the capital have shown they have what it takes to rise to the occasion in big games. They face Bolton in the next round and Gary Megson has already admitted Premier League survival is the priority for his team this term. Tottenham and Everton are also going great guns in the tournament. Spurs are turning their form around under the guidance of Juande Ramos and, having won the last two UEFA Cups while at Sevilla, the Spanish coach should not be underestimated. A third consecutive win for Ramos, whose side should have no problems against Slavia Prague in the next round, is not beyond question but, Everton look better value. David Moyes deserves huge credit for turning Everton into a force to be reckoned with. Until their unfortunate recent defeat to Manchester United they had gone on their longest undefeated run (13 matches) in 22 years and it would have been even longer had Stephen Pienaar not gifted the English champions a late penalty on December 22 - or indeed Steve Clattenberg correctly awarded them a blatant penalty in the Merseyside derby before that unbeaten sequence began. Add the fact that Everton won every UEFA Cup group game - including the last against AZ Alkmaar after they had already qualified - and that they have a facile draw against SK Brann then Ladbrokes's 12/1 looks a worthwhile investment. Verdict: 2pts Everton to win UEFA Cup @ 12/1 (Ladbrokes)Already recommended: 2pts Atlético to win UEFA Cup @ 16/1 (Paddy Power)Atlético Madrid to win Spanish title without top two e/w @ 11/2 (Bet Direct) Click here for a free £10 to t on the Uefa Cup with Ladbrokes #1 Betfair Bonus £25 Free Bet.#2 Ladbrokes £25 Free Bet.#3 Paddypower Bonus £20 Free Bet.#4 Bwin £20 Bonus.