Barcelona v Liverpool
Betting Odds: Barcelona: 1.50 Draw: 3.60 Liverpool: 6.0
Wednesday 21st February 8.00 pm.
Dubbed the clash of the tournament, current title-holders Barcelona play host to the 2005 champions Liverpool in this week’s Champions League action. Greeted with the appropriate “oohs” as the tie was announced, both camps donned gracious smiles while the neutrals bettors bore Cheshire-cat grins at the prospect of this epic encounter.
Epic though does not necessarily translate as a goal marathon. Although both teams are renowned European greats, their surprisingly short six game history has not produced sizeable goal tallies. In fact you wouldn’t even have to kick off your boots, you can count all the goals on your fingers alone!
Epic though does mean a game of tactics, of bidding your time, where one flash of genius from Ronaldinho or a slice of Scouse determination from Steven Gerrard could prove decisive.
The pair last met in the 2001/2002 Champions League group stages. A goalless encounter at the Nou Camp and Barcelona’s only victory over the Reds provided the entertainment as both teams advanced into the quarterfinals.
The year prior, the two lined up in the semi finals of the UFEA Cup where a Gary McAllister penalty right on half time was the only difference after another goalless first leg at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona start the game on the back of a fluctuating series of results. Two wins, two draws and two defeats from the last six, finds them top of La Liga on goal difference alone. A 2-1 defeat to third place Valencia at the weekend reaffirming the erratic spell they are currently having.
Controversy off the pitch hasn’t helped the champions run of form. Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o refused to come off the bench and play in the match against Racing Santander just over a week ago.
Despite being two goal to the good and only five minutes left on the clock, Barcelona wanted to give Eto’o a run after he had recently returned from a serious knee injury. But the African snubbed the chance.
Liverpool too have had a turbulent time both on and off the pitch over the past few weeks. Supposedly boasting the luxury of a weekend’s rest, Liverpool players found themselves splashed over the Sunday tabloids after an alleged booze-fuelled brawl.
What should have been an advantageous break; the clubs were apparently not used for a good old round of golf, as Craig Bellamy attacked fellow teammate John Arse Riise. Second choice ‘keeper Jerzy Dudek too found himself in the dock after a clash with Portuguese police.
Manager Rafa Benitez, furious at his player’s antics, now has the mammoth task of counteracting this aggression and channelling the energy into a more productive form.
Liverpool have lost their Premiership momentum as of late. A goalless Merseyside derby left them only infuriated as they failed to break down the resilient Everton defence. They then went on to squander a 1-0 lead at Newcastle thus dashing all hopes of challenging for the Premiership title, making the Champions League their only chance of silverware this season.
Unconvincing group stage performances, precarious League results and hostilities within both camps casts this tie somewhat in uncertainty. After all the recent disorder off the pitch, winning bets hangs on who can don their professional caps, step off those self-acclaimed pedestals and just perform.
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