da heads bet： One of the most highly anticipated ties in the Champions League this evening is between Liverpool and Real Madrid. Liverpool host Madrid at Anfield in one of their biggest games of the season so far.
da fazobetai： In the Champions League this season, Liverpool have won one and lost one, placing them third in the table scoring two goals and conceding two. Madrid on the other hand have had a better start as they have won both of their games placing them at the top of the table, scoring seven goals and only conceding two. Liverpool have a chance of moving to the table of Group B if results go their way, and Madrid have an opportunity to go six points clear at the top as well.
Entering this game, Liverpool come in off an unconvincing 3-2 win away at QPR in the Premier League. They may have won the game but only thanks to a terrible QPR defence and two own goals on QPR’s count, as well as a goal by Brazilian Philippe Coutinho.
Liverpool manager Brendon Rodgers may start with a similar team that started in this match, but all players will be expected to step up against a much tougher opponent in the Spanish giants, especially out-of-form Italian Mario Balotelli. Daniel Sturridge, Suso, and Jon Flanagan are still out injured for the English side whilst Mamadou Sakho could return and play a part in defence if things start to go pear-shaped.
Madrid enter this game with high confidence after winning their last seven consecutive competitive games, including a 5-0 thrashing away against Levante in the La Liga. Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti managed to win this game with ease whilst resting the likes of Karim Benzema, so they enter this game with more fresh key players. Fabio Coentrao and Gareth Bale have been ruled out of the trip to Anfield so Isco will take Bale’s place. Sergio Ramos also hasn’t made the journey due to a calf injury, so Pepe and Raphael Varane are expected to start at centre back.
Striker Cristiano Ronaldo is in good form as usual. The Portuguese superstar has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, that’s more than the whole Liverpool side have achieved in all competitions this season. Ronaldo has scored in 10 successive matches, including hat-tricks against Deportivo and Athletic Bilbao and four in the home win over Elche. He also recently broke a 71-year-old La Liga record by taking his tally to 15 goals in eight league matches, meaning he has now scored a whopping 271 goals in 258 club appearances. He is now just two goals away from equalling club Madrid legend Raul’s Champions League record of 71 goals. Although Ronaldo has scored against the Reds for Manchester United in the past, he has never scored at Anfield; all of his goals against the Reds have come away from Anfield.
The absence of Luis Suarez is clearly showing this season for Liverpool as they are struggling to find the back of the net. Balotelli needs to start scoring goals soon, otherwise they could be exiting out of Europe at the group stage. Madrid, however, are the polar opposite in front of goal and they should win this game with ease. They’ll certainly outscore their hosts tonight, but by how many is all down to the Liverpool defence that has let in 16 goals in all competitions this season so far. The current Champions League winners will win tonight.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-4 Real Madrid