David John is tipping Steaua Buchrest to gain the early initiative against Chelsea in the Europa League on Thursday.
Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle all continue their Europa League odyssey on Thursday night and the former might struggle to have things their own way in Romania.
Steaua Bucharest are well worth a small investment at 10/3 with Stan James to take an advantage back to Stamford Bridge in the second leg.
Rafa Benitez's side did us a favour last week in the FA Cup at Middlesbrough but with the pressure ever-building in the Premier League on the chase for no worse than fourth, that is surely where priorities in west London now lie.
I get the impression that Benitez could try and rest a few of his squad, attempt to stifle Steaua with a defensive formation and then hope to sweep them aside back at home next week.
And while it will be a stern test for the hosts taking on the reigning European champions, they certainly seem ready for the challenge having disposed of Ajax on penalties in the last round.
"Bring on Chelsea," was the cry of Iasmin Latovlevici and while they may well find the visitors too good over two two legs, the opportunity to at least make the reverse fixture interesting looks there for the taking.
This is the first time they have progressed this far since 2005/2006 while they have emerged from the winter break in Romania with two wins to stretch their advantage at home at the top of the table to 12 points.
The overriding feeling with Chelsea remains one of disharmony as they scramble for that top-four berth and Steaua will not have a better chance to spring a surprise - they merit support at the odds.
Newcastle were unfortunate not to get something out of their game with Swansea at the weekend but face a very tough trip to Moscow to face Anzhi Makhachkala where tempertaures will dip well below freezing.
That is not a particularly big obstacle for the Geordies but the hosts will be.
Anzhi look solid odds-on chances having won all seven 'home' games in the competition and conceded just once - those matches have been spread around three venues with Thursday's clash at the Luzhniki Stadium.
They have spent 30 million Euros over the winter to strengthen a squad that already has plenty of quality under coach Guus Hiddink and with three Russian teams in the competition at this stage, it shows the progress the country is making outside of the domestic arena.
Toon will do well to get anything from their 8/11 hosts while Spurs are also odds-on to beat Inter at White Hart Lane.
Gareth Bale should be rubbing his hands together as he comes up against a side that has not kept a clean sheet domestically in nine games as his manager Andre Villas-Boas labelled him the "difference" during their current run of form great form.
The Welsh wizard is 9/2 to net first and 5/4 at anytime and it is highly probable that punters will look no further than that for a wager on the game - but we will stick with Steaua on this occasion to come up with the goods.
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