Football betting: Uefa Cup - Wednesday action

Everton resume their UEFA Cup campaign against SK Brann and David Moyes' side should have no problem overcoming the Norwegians even if they must travel to the Arctic Circle. Click here for a free $600 welcome bonus when you join Paddy Power Poker The Toffees have had a marvellous European run to date, winning all four group games, including a 3-2 win at AZ Alkmaar despite having already assured themselves qualification. Everton's form has not restricted itself to the UEFA Cup either as they are still in contention for a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League, where four wins and two draws has lifted them to fourth place. Brann, meanwhile, are lucky to have even come this far after just one win in the qualifying group. They will hope that conditions prove problematic for the visitors, but with Yakubu back in the squad after being dealt with 'internally' for going awol, this should be a stroll for the English outfit. Rangers have a tough test against Panathinaikos, who join the competition from the Champions League and without Claude Darcheville up front Walter Smith is so short of attacking options he is considering playing midfielder Lee McCulloch and the disgruntled wantaway Frenchman Daniel Cousin. It's sometimes best to leave well alone in this business and so it is preferable to take on the Russian sides, who traditionally struggle at this stage of European competition. This is the off season for our hibernating friends from Moscow and St Petersburg and it is a big ask to expect Spartak and Zenit to suddenly find some sort of performance against Marseille and Villarreal respectively. Both Russian sides had a fantastic domestic campaign with Zenit pipping Spartak to the title by two points. However, neither side has kicked a competitive ball in anger since Christmas and both have defensive problems. Zenit have sold Martin Skrtl to Liverpool and Erik Kagen to Wigan while Tomas Hubocan has arrived too late to be registered in time for the Villarreal match. Spartak, meanwhile, have offloaded Gerder and suffered injuries to Martin Jiranek, Ignas Dedura and also have a new signing, Yegor Filipenko, illegible for the Marseille match. The Ligue 1 side have won three matches on the spin, scoring 11 goals in the process and soared from the foot of the table before Christmas to the dizzying heights of fifth place. Villarreal are enjoying an even better domestic campaign - they are third in La Liga - and with players such as Robert Pires, Giuseppe Rossi and Jose Mari ready to inflict some damage they, like Marseille, should have no problems even in the sub-zero climes of St Petersburg. It's also worth noting that resurgent AC Milan host Livorno in Serie A tonight and adding them to the mix gives a tempting looking fourfold at 9/1. Verdict: 2pts treble on Everton, Villarreal and Marseille @ 7/1 (Paddy Power); 2pts fourfold on Everton, Villarreal, Marseille and AC Milan @ 9/1 (Paddy Power) Click here for a free $600 welcome bonus when you join Paddy Power Poker