Liverpool’s fortunes couldn’t have changed more since their last game in the Europa League. After their rather turgid 1-1 draw with FC Utrecht, they’ve changed managers, brought in two new high class strikers, lost arguably their best player of the last three years, and are now 6th in the Premier League and closing on a less than unbeatable top 5, and fast.
For all that they’ve done so well of late, that has been dependent on a few factors, largely home advantage. And they’re clearly not the finished product, as was shown by a disappointing 1-1 draw at Anfield against Wigan when last seen.
The one major drawback for Liverpool might be firepower. With Luis Suarez ineligible and Steven Gerrard ruled out through a groin injury, two of their most crucial players are already out, while Andy Carroll has yet to gain full fitness (he has travelled but won’t play).
Liverpool have a habit of drawing away from home (their last 4 Europa League away games have been draws) despite being unbeaten in 10 Europa League starts this season, and they may be vulnerable with an understrength side.
SPARTA PRAGUE’S recent form is totally irrelevant regarding this match for the simple reason that they haven’t played since mid – December. While that’s a huge put off (they’ll lack badly for fitness late on against a Premier League team especially) they’ve got the advantage of being at home against a weakened Liverpool side and may well be worth a go with a one goal head start on the handicaps.
In other matches, RANGERS competed well at Ibrox in the Champions League, beating Bursaspor, holding Valencia (had plenty of chances to win that game) and only losing 1-0 to a late penalty against Manchester United. They’re seven games unbeaten at home since they lost to Celtic at the beginning of January.
Chances will be at a premium so nothing’s guaranteed, especially against Sporting Lisbon (who are third only to Benfica and Porto in the Portuguese League) but at home they’ll give anyone a big fright if in the mood and they’re worth the chance.
And last but not least. The best bet of the night may well be PORTO to put yet more gloom into Sevilla’s season, for the main and simple reason of form. Gregorio Manzano's side head into tonight's encounter on the back of a 3-2 away defeat to Racing Santander that stretched their winless run in all competitions to five matches. Sevilla have lost three of those and have won just two of their last nine competitive fixtures.
Portugese giants Porto lead the league standings in the domestic arena by a massive 11 points and have yet to lose a league encounter this season. Having scored 46 goals and conceded just seven in 20 league matches, Andre Villas-Boas' side will head into tonight's match brimming with confidence.
Advice
Sparta Prague +1 against Liverpool (8/15 Bet365, 4/7 general)
Rangers to beat Sporting Lisbon (6/4 Bet365, Stan James, William Hill)
Porto to beat Sevilla (15/8 VC Bet, Blue Sq, Paddy Power, 88Sport & 19/10 32Red)
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