(Repeats story published on Sunday to widen distribution)

* Twenty-seven of 28 financial analysts responding to poll expect Microsoft will succeed in buying Yahoo

* Twelve analysts expect Microsoft to stand by its initial offer price of $31 per share in an equal mix of cash and stock

* Four analysts expect Microsoft to keep offer at $31 per share but make all-cash offer, effectively raising deal value

* Twelve analysts expect Microsoft to raise price to between $31.50 and $35 per share

By Eric Auchard and Daisuke Wakabayashi

SAN FRANCISCO/SEATTLE, March 16 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp's (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) offer to buy Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) will likely succeed, but it may not be the best use of the company's ample cash reserves, according to a poll of analysts by Reuters.

The stand-off between Microsoft and Yahoo has stretched six weeks since the world's largest software maker went public with its proposal. The Web pioneer subsequently rejected Microsoft's offer, which currently values Yahoo at $41.4 billion, saying the takeover bid "substantially undervalued" the company.

The Reuters poll finds Wall Street brokers who follow either company remain convinced that Microsoft will prevail in its takeover. Eight of eight Microsoft analysts surveyed and 14 of 15 Yahoo analysts believe Microsoft will get the deal done.