Champions League
2008-04-02 - Arsenal vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Duncan
Liverpool travel to London, the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in the first leg of the 1/4 final tie.Arsenal came from 2-0 down at half time and with 10 men to beat Bolton at the weekend, while Liverpool bounced back with a 1-0 derby win over Everton so both sides will have confidence coming into this game.
Arsene Wenger will welcome Adebeyor to the line-up after he started the game against Bolton on the bench and will be looking to find his form of earlier in the season.
Arsenal haven't had the result's in recent times that they would have wanted, with Adebeyor's goals drying up, Cesc Fabregas not quite in the form he showed earlier in the season and their defence conceding the odd goal. Still they haven't lost a lot of matches so it's a sign o a good side.
Liverpool mean while will be looking to continue their good recent form - apart form the Man United loss they have won 8 form the last 9 games in all competitions. Mainly, thanks to the goals from Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
On the injury front their are no new injuries in the Liverpool squad, they welcome back Javier Mascherano to the squad following his suspension at the weekend.
Liverpool have struggled in recent seasons when visiting Arsenal in the Premiership as simply they have failed to stop and or counter Asenal's flowing style of football. And although this is a different competition Arsenal will again look to play their nature game - can Liverpool stop them in Europe is the question?
I think Liverpool may just do a bit better in Europe as they seem to be a squad that can pick themselves up for Champions League football more often than what we see in the Premiership. An away goal is crucial for Liverpool before heading back to Anfield. But top goal scorer Fernando Torres's goals have mainly come at Anfield - so there is another test for him to score goals against top sides home and away.......
I'll give the edge here to the home side, but I don't think there will be a lot in it.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Arsenal 1-0 or 2-1
