Europa League Betting: Streetwise Udinese to make life tough for Liverpool

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina is enduring a poor run of form

Liverpool's youngsters have produced some excellent cup results recently, but Kevin Hatchard suspects they may be given a stern test by one of Europe's grittiest units.

Liverpool vs Udinese, Europa League Group A, Thu 20:05 BST, Live on ITV 4

Match Odds: Liverpool 1.758/11, Udinese 5.69/2, the draw 3.814/5

Liverpool fans have had their patience tested in the early part of the season, but at last the Merseyside giants are starting to gain momentum under new boss Brendan Rodgers. The weekend's 5-2 demolition of Norwich City was a big step in the right direction, but no-one at Anfield should be getting too carried away. Youthful Liverpool sides have recently secured excellent away wins in the Europa League (5-3 at Young Boys) and in the League Cup (2-1 at West Brom), but there are still plenty of teething problems.

Liverpool have won just one of their five games at Anfield this term, and that was against Belarussian minnows Gomel. Rodgers' side seem more comfortable on their travels at present, where they can spring speedy counter-attacks. At Anfield they seem to find it harder to force the pace, and they have often shot themselves in the foot defensively. To make matters worse, keeper Pepe Reina is having arguably the worst spell of his career - he looks nervous and agitated and has made several glaring errors.

Udinese are also performing below their best - they lie 15th in Serie A, with just one win in six league games. The poor form has caused tension in the dressing room, and star striker Antonio Di Natale was dropped for the weekend's goalless draw with Genoa after a row with coach Francesco Guidolin.

The Bianconeri have built their recent successes on being gritty and tough to beat, and those qualities are still in evidence. In Europe this season Udinese have drawn all three of their matches 1-1, the most of recent of which saw them fight back from a goal down to peg back Anzhi Makhachkala. Udinese have suffered just one defeat on their travels in four games, and overall they have lost just two games in nine.

Rodgers has been happy to field a host of promising youngsters in this competition, and while some of them excelled in Switzerland against Young Boys, they may find life tougher against a battle-hardened unit like Udinese. The Italians will make this game really tight, and as such I think it's well worth backing them +0.5 & +1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 1.981/1, which sees you get half your stake back if Liverpool win by a single goal.

If you're looking for a much bigger return, it may be worth considering Liverpool's Nuri Sahin at a generous 17.016/1 in the First Goalscorer market. The Turkish international scored his first Premier League goal against Norwich, and bagged both Liverpool goals in the preceding win at West Brom.

Recommended Bets: Back Nuri Sahin in the First Goalscorer market at 17.016/1

Back the draw in the Half Time market at 2.245/4

Best Bet: Back Udinese +0.5 & +1.0 on the Asian Handicap at 1.981/1