Pardew ready to shock Anzhi

Alan Pardew says his Newcastle United side are ready to step up where Manchester United have failed - by grabbing English glory in Europe this season.

The Toon Army are currently in Russia ahead of their Europa League clash with wealthy outfit Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday.

And with a place in the quarter-finals at stake, Pardew's side are taking the competition very seriously indeed. They can be backed at 13.00 to win 1-0 at Anzhi and are currently available at 23.00 to win the Europa League.

Pardew doesn't subscribe to the theory that the much-maligned competition is an unnecessary distraction from domestic responsibilities.

The Magpies will almost certainly need to keep former Barcelona and Inter Milan superstar Samuel Eto'o, 3.75 to open the scoring on Thursday, quiet if they are to progress any further.

But Pardew insists: "I think this is a big trophy to win for all of the clubs - and I include the bigger ones like Chelsea in that.

"I do think we have as good a chance of winning it as anyone else. To win in places like Moscow, against a team like Anzhi, you have to be a hell of a technical side.

"I do believe that's what we are at Newcastle now."