Champions League Betting Group E - Liverpool vs. Olympique Lyonnais
by Nila Amerova
Liverpool FC are not up to their usual lofty standards both in domestic and European action and after suffering their third successive defeat in all competitions at the weekend Rafa Benitez called on his Liverpool outfit to lift the gloom that has descended on Anfield by beating Olympique Lyonnais on Tuesday. The French outfit, currently leading Group E with six points after winning both their group fixtures, doesn’t want any part of that. Though they are after suffering their first defeat on the new season Olympique Lyonnais are still at the top of League 1 and they are optimistic about their chances at Anfield.
Soccer Betting Line:
Liverpool -½ -130 -130 2½ O Ev U -120 Draw +235
Lyon +½ +110 +400 2½ O Ev U -120 Draw +235
Match Time:02:45 P.M. Eastern Time Tuesday October 20, 2009
Venue: Anfield Stadium, London, England
Liverpool FC -130: Liverpool are currently third (yes, third!) in Group E after suffering a shocking 2:0 loss to Fiorentina on the away in the second European cycle. Though they are level on points with the Italians at three, a poorer goal difference sees them on the wrong end of the mark.
Recently, the Merseyside outfit were dealt another setback, this time in home action when they lost to Sunderland 1:0. It certainly didn’t help the mood in the locker-room that the Sunderland goal was so contentious that it shouldn’t have been allowed (it deflected off a beach ball a fan threw onto the pitch, and into the goal box). Nor does it help that now after the defeat to Sunderland, Liverpool detractors are calling their season done, all but writing them out of the Premier League title race.
Lyon +400: In spite of an impressive season so far save for the recent hiccup at home, Lyon enter this match as hefty underdogs, listed at +400 to win outright. Seeing how off-form Liverpool are lately, Lyon has to have more to hope for in this match than those odds would suggest. At least in my opinion. Lyon are 6-2-1 in Ligue 1 and currently are at the top of the table thanks to a favourable goal difference. They are undefeated in Champions League action and they have more than a punters chance to remain so after Tuesday.
Soccer Betting Verdict: Liverpool are bleeding points in all competitions and enter this match looking to stop a three-match losing streak. They are desperate to do so but the tipping question is: how are to do it when both Gerrard and Torres are struggling with injuries? Nothing doing, they must if they are to salvage the European competition – at the very least – and if they are going to prove they have depth that goes beyond their two stars. Their loss to Sunderland was a brutal shame though as it saw them slip further down the Premier League table and because it was so contentious it might have a negative effect on the mood in the locker room.
Lyon, on the other hand, are feeling less pressure ahead of this match and they will be happy with a draw. Don’t expect Lyon will risk too much in this match and they will play the score.
Soccer Free Picks: Liverpool have to win this match. The combination of pressure and incentive could work both for and against them. Methinks, the former, making them my pick on the outright win. Liverpool are without their top scorers Gerrard and Torres and the fact that they have struggled to score in their last three matches just highlights how important these two stars are. Therefore, this match, more likely than not, will be a low scoring affair. Take the Under 2 ½ -120.
