Europa League
2010-04-01 - Benfica vs Liverpool F.C
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Liverpool will surely not forget that it was Benfica who ended their UEFA Champions League hopes in 2005/06 with wins in both legs of their last-16 clash when they meet at the Estadio da Luz in Portugal.
Benfica have already taken out Everton twice in the group stages and will now be aiming to do it to another Merseyside team in Liverpool. They are also the leaders of the Portuguese Liga and are six points clear of their closest rivals.
But Liverpool knows that this Europa League remains their only chance of landing a trophy this season and they will want to bring a good result back for the return leg in Anfield next week. Rafa Benitez will have to start this match without the likes of without Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani after he picked up an ankle injury in training.
Therefore Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva is set to start in midfield alongside Javier Mascherano with Steven Gerrard returning to provide support to Fernando Torres upfront. However, Torres could miss the next match if he received another booking.
Meanwhile Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible so Dirk Kuyt or Yossi Benayoun are expected to start wide on the right . Albert Riera has been left out of the squad as talks continue over a possible loan move to Spartak Moscow.
Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio are still out of the side with injuries while Martin Kelly has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
The home side Benfica are without Argentine forward Javier Saviola because of a foot injury. The former Barcelona man picked up the foot injury in the weekend win over Braga and he has been out of action since. He is expected to be out for at least four weeks.
Oscar Cardozo who is their top scorer will lead the attack and he is also the leading scorer in the Europa League so Liverpool will have to pay close attention to him.
Take Liverpool and accept the 1/4 ball here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Pick :
Draw Match 1-1
BEST BETTING TIP :
Go for this match to end in a draw.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Liverpool and accept the 1/4 ball here.
