Spurs lead UEFA Cup challenge

Tottenham Hotspur may be struggling in the Premier League but they have received a vote of confidence from VC Bet, at least as far as the UEFA Cup is concerned.

After the draw for the group stages yesterday, Spurs are 11-1 with VC Bet to lift the trophy, the shortest price of the four-strong English contingent.

Aston Villa and Manchester City can both be had at 20-1 with Coral, with Portsmouth, who share a group with the Italian giants AC Milan, available at 40-1 with the same firm.

Interestingly, if VC Bet are right, then backers could get ahead of the game at Ladbrokes, who have opened a book on which of the English sides will go furthest.

Ladbrokes see Aston Villa as the most likely to succeed, quoting them at 2-1, with Spurs at 9-4. City are 9-4, and Portsmouth complete the quarter at 5-1.

To win the trophy, Ladbrokes bet: 9-2 AC Milan, 10-1 Valencia, 12-1 Aston Villa, Sevilla, 14-1 Manchester City, 16-1 Tottenham Hotspur, 20-1 Hamburg, Schalke, 25-1 Udinese, 33-1 others (including Portsmouth).

This, though, is a book in which backers must tread carefully, as the line-up will be strenghtened by Champions League sides which have fail to progress from their own group phase.

With that in mind, totesport offer 3-1 about any Champions League club winning the UEFA Cup.