It's Thursday. But it's not just any old Thursday....

...It's UEFA Cup Thursday! (This writer will still be calling it thus. I'm not falling for any UEFA rebranding exercise). Given that this is the first round of matches in this season's main competition, I felt that it was time to share my views on this week's matches, as well as my tips for the outright winners.

In tonight's matches, have a think about backing the following:

• Ajax to beat Timisoara (best price 1/3 with Ladbrokes)
• AS Roma to beat Basel (best price 11/13 with expekt.com)
• Hertha Berlin to beat Ventspils (best price 2/7 with Blue Square)
• Valencia to beat Lille (best price 13/10 with expekt.com). This writer will be having some of this bet
• Athletic Bilbao to beat Austria Wien (best price 4/9 with Betfred)
• Everton to beat AEK Athens (best price 4/7 with Skybet)
• Werder Bremen to beat Nacional (best price 5/6 with Ladbrokes)
• Lazio and Red Bull Salzburg to draw (best price 16/5 with bet365. This writer thought Lazio were utter garbage on Saturday against Juventus)
• Partizan Belgrade to beat Toulouse (best price 21/10 with Stan James)
• PSV Eindhoven to beat Sparta Prague (best price 6/4 with totesport)
• Steaua Bucharest to beat FC Sheriff Tiraspol (best price 4/9 with Blue Square)

There ye go, folks. Previews for the weekend games, along with a possible new feature, to follow. Enjoy