Inter Milan vs. Anorthosis Famagusta
Inter -200
Famgusta +550
Draw +260
I love this play with all my heart. The lines for this game are probably the most deceptive of all of today's CL games. The lines were probably influenced by the fact that Famagusta plays in the Cyprus league while Inter are the defending champions of the Italian league. Any close watcher of Inter knows there's been nothing special about them of recent. Their offense hasn't been as productive as it was last year. Ibrahimovic isn't scoring at the moment. Adriano isn't the player he once was and he's presently at loggerheads with the coach over the mediocrity of his recent performances. The team is currently beset with injuries to some of their most reliable players, which includes Cambiasso, their most reliable midfielder. The aging Vieira is still recuperating from injury.
On the flip side, Famagusta thrive well in this kind of situations. They're often considered underdogs even at home when playing teams from supposedly superior leagues but they've done pretty well as home underdogs, which partly explains why they're still in the competition. Considering their very impressive home record in this competition so far, Famagusta will certainly fancy their chances of getting a result against Inter. Famagusta only narrowly lost by 1-0 away to Inter. Considering that they'll be playing with greater intensity, motivation, hunger, and drive, let's take a chance with them.
Verdict: Famagusta +550
Bordeaux vs. CFR Cluj
Bordeaux +220
Cluj +110
Draw +220
What do you want to know about CFR Cluj? Their performances so far in the Champions League? In their L2 Champions League games, this team beat Roma on the road and held the almighty Chelsea to a goalless draw at home. Just wait and see what they'll do to Bordeaux.
Verdict: CFR Cluj +110
Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool
Atletico +500
Liverpool -200
Draw +260
The whole world will call this one an easy one for Liverpool and that's understandable. More so, Liverpool did hold Atletico to a draw on the road. But let's do a reality check here. You can be forgiven for saying Liverpool is a two-man team. Of course, much of Liverpool's success revolves around the steely and productive Gerrard and the clinical Torres, who's easily one of the top three goal poachers on the planet at the moment. The bad and sad news for Liverpool backers is that there are fitness doubts over Torres. This means, even if he does play eventually, he will be far from 100%. Having missed 5 games and still recuperating from his hamstring injury, Torres won't be able to produce what he's normally capable of. If Torres is neutralized in this game, that'll severely diminish Liverpool's scoring chances.
Now on the flip side, Atletico do have some players who are capable of producing moments of glory. Have you heard the name Sergio Aguero? He's an upcoming star. He's been sensational lately. He's coming into this game on the back of a stellar performance in which he scored a brace against Mallorca. He's a key reason why Atletico are a free-scoring side right now. With Aguero in the side, scoring two against Liverpool isn't beyond Atletico. Don't be fooled by the fact that they only scored one against Liverpool in their last meeting. Liverpool will likely deploy a formation at home that will enable Atletico play with more space and aggression.
One more thing we need to know is that this isn't the knock-out stage, so Liverpool can still qualify if they lose this game. So don't expect Liverpool players to die on the pitch trying to win this one.
Verdict: Atletico +500
Inter -200
Famgusta +550
Draw +260
I love this play with all my heart. The lines for this game are probably the most deceptive of all of today's CL games. The lines were probably influenced by the fact that Famagusta plays in the Cyprus league while Inter are the defending champions of the Italian league. Any close watcher of Inter knows there's been nothing special about them of recent. Their offense hasn't been as productive as it was last year. Ibrahimovic isn't scoring at the moment. Adriano isn't the player he once was and he's presently at loggerheads with the coach over the mediocrity of his recent performances. The team is currently beset with injuries to some of their most reliable players, which includes Cambiasso, their most reliable midfielder. The aging Vieira is still recuperating from injury.
On the flip side, Famagusta thrive well in this kind of situations. They're often considered underdogs even at home when playing teams from supposedly superior leagues but they've done pretty well as home underdogs, which partly explains why they're still in the competition. Considering their very impressive home record in this competition so far, Famagusta will certainly fancy their chances of getting a result against Inter. Famagusta only narrowly lost by 1-0 away to Inter. Considering that they'll be playing with greater intensity, motivation, hunger, and drive, let's take a chance with them.
Verdict: Famagusta +550
Bordeaux vs. CFR Cluj
Bordeaux +220
Cluj +110
Draw +220
What do you want to know about CFR Cluj? Their performances so far in the Champions League? In their L2 Champions League games, this team beat Roma on the road and held the almighty Chelsea to a goalless draw at home. Just wait and see what they'll do to Bordeaux.
Verdict: CFR Cluj +110
Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool
Atletico +500
Liverpool -200
Draw +260
The whole world will call this one an easy one for Liverpool and that's understandable. More so, Liverpool did hold Atletico to a draw on the road. But let's do a reality check here. You can be forgiven for saying Liverpool is a two-man team. Of course, much of Liverpool's success revolves around the steely and productive Gerrard and the clinical Torres, who's easily one of the top three goal poachers on the planet at the moment. The bad and sad news for Liverpool backers is that there are fitness doubts over Torres. This means, even if he does play eventually, he will be far from 100%. Having missed 5 games and still recuperating from his hamstring injury, Torres won't be able to produce what he's normally capable of. If Torres is neutralized in this game, that'll severely diminish Liverpool's scoring chances.
Now on the flip side, Atletico do have some players who are capable of producing moments of glory. Have you heard the name Sergio Aguero? He's an upcoming star. He's been sensational lately. He's coming into this game on the back of a stellar performance in which he scored a brace against Mallorca. He's a key reason why Atletico are a free-scoring side right now. With Aguero in the side, scoring two against Liverpool isn't beyond Atletico. Don't be fooled by the fact that they only scored one against Liverpool in their last meeting. Liverpool will likely deploy a formation at home that will enable Atletico play with more space and aggression.
One more thing we need to know is that this isn't the knock-out stage, so Liverpool can still qualify if they lose this game. So don't expect Liverpool players to die on the pitch trying to win this one.
Verdict: Atletico +500