Newcastle aim to top the group

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew believes that drawing a team who drop out of the Champions League might be best for his side's Europa League hopes this season.

A 1-1 draw at home to Maritino was enough for the Magpies to book a place in the knockout stages of the competition, with Pardew feeling that a team who drop out of Europe's premier competition may be the best option for further progress.

Pardew, whose side are 25/1 to win the Europa League, told reporters: "It's sometimes misleading when the Champions League teams come down, how motivated they are for it. It's almost a secondary competition for them.

"Some of them might be a better option than a team in the competition already.

"It becomes a stronger competition, obviously. We would like the second leg at home - we need to win the group to do that and we have still got that opportunity."

A win against Bordeaux in France in their final Group D game would see Newcastle top the group.

Meanwhile, both Liverpool and Spurs have work to do if they are to join the Magpies in the last 32, having been held to draws by Young Boys and Lazio respectively.

The Reds, 16/1 to win the Europa League, face a tough assignment away to Udinese in their final Group A fixture, knowing that they may need a victory to secure progress.

Tottenham need only a draw at home to Panathinaikos in their final Group J encounter to move through and the Londoners are 14/1 to eventually win the competition.

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