Europa League
2012-11-08 - Anzhi Makhachkala vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Europa League
Thursday 8 November 2012 - Kick Off 5pm
This game is live on TV
Anzhi Makhachkala
This is one Russian side that was not that famous before a rich owner decided he was going to purchase some big name players and offer them vast sums of money. Since then, Anzhi Makhachkala have constantly been linked with players throughout Europe, although that could be down to 'lazy journalism' as a story can easily be made about a rich team looking to buy new talent.
They will want to make a bigger name for themselves on the field as they take on five time European Champions in the form of Liverpool, and a win would put Anzhi in a strong position in this Group. At the moment, they are 2nd in the table with 4 points but a win would see them leapfrog Liverpool and leave Anzhi in a strong spot to make it through to the next stage.
Anzhi will feel confident they can grab the 3 points in this one as they have now won 8 in a row at home and 12 of their last 13 here in all competitions. The side have scored at least 2 goals in their last 7 here, while they have won 4 in a row at home in the Europa League this season without conceding a goal in those games.
Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers is slowly turning things around at Liverpool as he wants his squad to listen to his new methods and employ them on the field and that means this is likely to be a transition season. It is clear that this competition is a distraction for Rodgers and that the Premier League is his priority so that means the focus may just be on the game at Stamford Bridge on Sunday rather than this trip to Russia.
Despite being more focused on League matters, Liverpool have won 2 of their 3 games in the Group to lead the way with 6 points to their name, although both Anzhi and Udinese have 4 points and Young Boys have 3 points. That shows there is considerable work still to be done for Liverpool if they are to progress to the next stage.
Liverpool have actually failed to win any of their last 3 games in all competitions, although they have lost just 1 of their last 6 games since a 2-3 loss to Udinese at Anfield in this competition. The side are unbeaten in their last 6 away games in all competitions since the opening day loss at West Brom. Liverpool have won 3 in a row away from home in this competition, and they have only lost 1 of their last 10 away games in the Europa League.
Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Joe Allen, Nuri Sahin, Dan Agger and Raheem Sterling have all been given the game off so they can prepare for the Chelsea game on Sunday.
Head to Head
Liverpool beat Anzhi Makhachkala 1-0 at Anfield a couple of weeks ago, but they will have a much younger team taking the field for this one.
Prediction
I don't think it would have been beyond the realms of possibility that Anzhi Makhachkala could beat Liverpool even if the English side had brought a full squad to Russia.
However, it is going to be even tougher for a young Liverpool side that will not be used to travelling in European away games and it is a tough ask for them to get a result in my opinion.
The layers have picked up on this thanks to a reduced Liverpool squad travelling to Russia without their main stars, but I think taking Anzhi to win this game to nil at 2.88 may pay off.
Anzhi haven't conceded a goal at home in Europe this season, winning all 4 games, and they proved they can make life tough for a better Liverpool team they faced at Anfield a couple of weeks ago. I do think Anzhi can win the game as they have been scoring comfortably at home with at least 2 goals in each of their last 8 home games, all winning efforts, and so the 2.88 looks a big price to me.
The Pick :
Anzhi Makhachkala 2-0 Liverpool
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Anzhi Makhachkala Win to Nil @ 2.88 (Bet Fred)
