Originally, Inter Milan were favored to win this match against Liverpool at Anfield, especially since English Premier club Liverpool had not been very successful in their recent matches, including a 2-1 loss to lowly Barnsley at the FA Cup fifth round.

Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan were the aggressors early in the match until defender Marco Materazzi was booked a second yellow card in the 20th minute and was sent off. With Inter Milan down to 10 men, Liverpool waged an all-out attack that was patient and clinical. However, it seemed that the Inter Milan defense was able to thwart off any threat.

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez made some key substitutions, bringing in Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant to help out the Liverpool offense. Eventually, the persistence of Liverpool paid off in the 85th minute when Dirk Kuyt scored a goal, beating Inter Milan keeper Julio Cesar with a deflection. In the 90th minute, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard drove a low shot that bounced off the post and once again beat Inter Milan keeper Julio Cesar to make the final scoreline 2-0 for the first leg of the final round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League.

Liverpool will now visit the San Siro in Milan, Italy, for the 2nd leg of their round of 16 knock out stage against Inter Milan. Liverpool are hoping to be able to hold off Inter Milan for another 90 minutes, and hopefully maintain their 2-0 goal advantage to win the round of 16 by aggregate and advance to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

To bet on Liverpool vs. Inter Milan and other upcoming UEFA Champions League matches, then visit the UEFA Champions League sportsbook.

Liverpool vs. Inter Milan tickets for March 11, 2008 at the San Siro in Milan, Italy, available here.

When it comes to European Football, and especially for the UEFA Champions League - the home pitch definitely plays a great advantage. The home supporters chanting their songs, waving their flags, and creating that atmosphere that sends the chills against the visiting team is just as crucial as the 11 players of the home team who are taking to the pitch.

But then, of course, eventually it is up to the 11 men on the pitch to make use of the home support to their advantage, and hopefully bring a victory. 16 teams remain in the UEFA Champions League, and two legs are set to be played in the knockout round of 16. IN the meantime, let's see what's in store for the first leg, and the predictions on who are favored to win the first leg.

Predictions on First Leg of Knockout Round of 16 in UEFA Champions League:

Schalke 04 vs. FC Porto. Bet on FC Porto to score an upset at the Schalke 04 home pitch.

AS Roma vs. Real Madrid. Bet on AS Roma to hold their ground at the AS Roma home pitch. Besides, Real Madrid haven't been in form, losing their last two La Liga matches.

Olympiakos vs. Chelsea. Bet on Olympiakos to win at home. Chelsea are a good team, but it's very difficult to win at the Olympiakos home pitch.

Liverpool vs. Inter Milan. Bet on Inter Milan to upset Liverpool at Anfield. Liverpool haven't been too great, even losing in the FA Cup to lowly Barnsley.

Celtic vs. Barcelona. Bet on Celtic to hold their ground at the Celtic home pitch. Barcelona might be great, but their Fantastic Four of Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho have not been "fantastic" lately.

Lyon vs. Manchester United. Bet on Lyon to uphold their ground in French soil. Manchester United might be on a streak, but Manchester United have a difficult time winning in France.

Fenerbahce vs. FC Sevilla. Bet on Fenerbahce to hold their ground at their home pitch against Sevilla.

Arsenal vs. AC Milan. Bet on AC Milan to upset Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal were recently thrashed by Manchester United in the FA Cup, and it seems that they're lacking some gusto with the absence of key players.

Bet on the UEFA Champions League, and visit the UEFA Champions League sportsbook. Half-time/Full-time results can also be bet as well as against the spread or money line bets. You can even bet on a draw.

English Premier League champions Manchester United move to the Final round of 16 in the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League football tournament after scoring its 4th straight win in the group stages, and earning 12 points. Their recent victory was against Ukranian Premier League champions Dynamo Kyiv, whom they hosted at Old Trafford and defeated 4-0, keeping the Ukranian football club without a single point in Group F.

Manchester United's 4 goals came from a Gerard Pique header on the 31st minute, a Carlos Tevez strike on the 37th minute, a Wayne Rooney volley on the 76th minute and a Cristiano Ronaldo amazing finish on the 88th minute.

Italian Serie A club AS Roma are in second place in the Group F standings with 7 points. With 2 group stage matches remaining, AS Roma will hope to secure a win when they visit Dynamo Kiev on November 27, and earn the remaining qualifying slot of Group F in the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United might take it easy when they host Portuguese Primera Liga club Sporting Lisbon, who desperately need a win if they still want to maintain a chance at qualifying over AS Roma.

To find out more on UEFA Champions League betting picks, or to place a bet on Manchester United vs. Sporting Lisbon, AS Roma vs. Dynamo Kiev and other upcoming Champions League matches, then click here.

English Premier League club Arsenal FC drew with Czech Republic's Gambrinus Liga club Slavia Praha 0-0, and earned a point on their last UEFA Champions League match when Arsenal were visitors at Prague, Czech Republic just recently.

Arsenal gained 1 point to move their total to 10 points in the Group H standings of the UEFA Champions League, and assure them a spot in the First knockout round of 16 teams. Spanish Super Cup champions and reigning UEFA Cup title holders Sevilla FC have 9 points in the standings and have a 5 point advantage over Slavia Praha with 4 points and two group stage qualifying matches remaining.

Arsenal's next match will be away at Sevilla. A win by Sevilla will secure them of the last spot in Group H to qualify for the next round along with Arsenal. Slavia Praha must win when they visit Steaua Bucharest if they want any chance of qualifying, considering that Sevilla might lose to Arsenal.

Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger will be relying on his superstars like Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott to provide a win to have them end the qualifying stage as group leaders.

To find out more about UEFA Champions League betting picks, or to place a bet on Arsenal vs. Sevilla, Slavia Prague vs. Steaua Bucharest and other group stage matches of the Champions League, then click here.

Spanish La Liga football club FC Barcelona move closer to qualifying for the First Knock-out round of the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League after posting a 2-0 victory over Scottish Premier League club Rangers FC at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain just recently.

Barcelona established an early lead in the 6th minute of the match when Barac striker Thierry Henry was able to recover a rebound from a Lionel Messi header that bounced off the post. Thierry Henry slid to put the ball in the back of the net, and give Barcelona 1 -0 advantage.

On the 43rd minute, Barca midfielder Ronaldinho was able to dribble through the defense and make a shot on the Rangers goal. Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor blocked Ronaldinho's shot, but wasn't able to stop the rebound by Barcelona Argentinian forward Lionel Messi, who scored the second goal for the Blaugrana.

The scoreline was kept at 2-0 and FC Barcelona earned 3 points to bring their points standings in Group E of the UEFA Champions League to 10 points. Barcelona are leaders of Group E followed by the Rangers with 7 points. French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon have 6 points. Should Barcelona beat Lyon on their next UEFA Champions League match, Lyon could be prevented from qualifying should Rangers defeat German Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart, who haven't earned a single point in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League. There are 2 matchdays left for the group stages.

VfB Stuttgart wil play host to the Rangers on November 27. Meanwhile, Lyon will be hoping that the home pitch advantage will keep their qualifying hoeps alive when they host FC Barcelona.

To find out more about UEFA Champions League betting tips, or to place bets on Stuttgart vs. Rangers, Lyon vs. Barcelona, and other upcoming UEFA Champions League matches, then click here.

Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun scores a hat-trick!

English Premier Club Liverpool FC made history last Wednesday by recording the largest win in UEFA Champions league history when they defeated Turkish Super League club Besiktas JK 8-0 in their recent 2007-08 UEFA Champions Leage group stage match held at Anfield Park in England.

Besiktas had beaten Liverpool FC 2-1 just last month when The Reds were visitors at Turkey. However, sensing the need to produce a win in order to keep their UEFA Champions League hopes alive, Liverpool came out with a sense of urgency to make a record-breaking 8-0 over Besiktas, and sent a message to Group A leaders FC Porto that they better be prepared when they are visitors to Liverpool at Anfield Park at the end of the month.

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch opened the scoring for the Liverpool Reds in the 19th minute. Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun added the 2nd goal for Liverpool in the 32nd minute, giving the Reds a comfortable 2-0 lead at the end of one half of football.

In the second half of the match between Liverpool and Besiktas, Liverpool unleashed a cascade of goals. Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun scored in the 53rd and 56th minute to earn himself a hat-trick, and also extending the Liverpool lead to 4-0.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard added the 5th for Liverpool in the 69th minute.

Liverpool substitute Ryan Babel came off the bench to score 2 more goals in the 78th and 81st minute. Liverpool forward Peter Crouch capped off another goal in the 81st minute, bringing the complete total of goals to 8, and making history as having the highest scoring margin ever in a UEFA Champions League match.

Liverpool improve their point standings in Group A to 4 points with 2 more matches left in the group stages. FC Porto leads the group with 8 points and Marseille trail with 7 points. Liverpool FC are still in contention, but they really need to win their remaining matches before the year ends if they want to earn a spot in the First knockout round of the UEFA Champions League starting February 2008.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's next UEFA Champions League match will be on November 27 against FC Porto. Liverpool will look for home support at Anfield to help give them a boost in keeping their qualifying chances alive.

Liverpool's next English Premier League match will be against Fulham.

To check the Champions League football betting tips, or to place bets on Liverpool vs. FC Porto and other Champions League matches, then click here.

To check the English Premier League betting tips, or to place bets on Liverpool vs. Fulham and other English Premiership matches, then click here.

Real Madrid vs. Sevilla FC: A Battle of Champions!

Real Madrid are the Spanish La Liga Champions. Sevilla FC are champions of the UEFA Cup and the Copa Del Rey.

Before the start of the 2007-08 Spanish La Liga season, Real Madrid met with Sevilla FC to compete for the Spanish Super Cup, which is contested by the La Liga Champions and the Copa Del Rey champions. During the Spanish Super Cup, Sevilla won the first leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan Stadium in Sevilla, and then capped off the second leg on Real Madrid's home pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu with a 5-3 result to win the Spanish Super Cup.

By winning the last 2 matches against Real Madrid, Sevilla FC felt confident enough that they could do it again despite the fact that the Madristas are proving their winning form to be on top of the Spanish La Liga standings. In their recent La Liga regular season match agianst Real Madrid at the Ramon Sanchez Pijuan stadium, Sevilla FC were once again dominant in beating out the Spanish La Liga champions 2-0.

Sevilla FC found the back of the Real Madrid net in the 18th minute with a superb volley by Seydou Keita from 25 meters out to beat Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Two minutes after, Sevilla FC doubled its lead when Sevilla's Luis Fabiano managed to pick up a rebound from an Iker Casillas save to slot it into the Real Madrid goal. It was Luis Fabiano's sixth goal in four La Liga matches.

Sevilla FC coach Manolo Jimenez, who was appointed as a replacement for former Sevilla manager Juande Ramos last week, has put Sevilla in wining form since his appointment. Last week, Sevilla beat Valencia 3-0, then lost a tough contest to Atletico de Madrid on Wednesday 4-3. However, this 2-0 win against Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid is indeed an impressive result. And what's important for Sevilla FC is that they can score goals consistently.

Real Madrid's chances of getting back in the match were thwarted in the 40th minute when defender Sergio Ramos, a former Sevilla player, was ejected from the match after receiving a second yellow card. After suffering their 2nd loss in 11 matches, Real Madrid still maintain the top spot in the Spanish La Liga standings with 25 points. Barcelona and Villareal are in second place with 21 points, but might have the opportunity to close the gap with Real Madrid if they win their respective matches on Sunday, November 4. Barcelona host Real Betis at the Nou Camp while Villareal are visitors Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid's next fixture will be a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Greece Super League champions Olympiacos at the Santiago Bernabeu on November 6. The next Spanish La Liga match of Real Madrid will be at the Santiago Bernabeu against Mallorca on November 11.

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster will look to the likes of Raul Gonzalez, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robinho, Fabio Cannavaro, Guti, Gonzalo Higuain and Wesley Sneijder to put Real Madrid back on the winning track.

Sevilla FC's next fixture will be a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Romanian Liga 1 runner-up Steaua Bucharest. Sevilla will be visitors at the Stadionul Ghencea in Bucharest, Romania. The next La Liga match of Sevilla will be against Villareal at the Estado El Madrigal in Villareal, Spain.

To find out about Spanish La Liga betting tips, and to place bets on Real Madrid vs. Mallorca, Sevilla FC vs. Villareal and other upcoming La Liga matches, click here.

To find out about UEFA Champions League betting tips, and to place bets on Real Madrid vs. Olympiacos, Sevilla FC vs. Steaua Bucharest and other upcoming Champions League matches, click here.

Chelsea wins 7th match in a row!

Things have been controversial for Chelsea FC this 2007-08 season of the English Premier League. Chelsea had lost former manager Jose Mourinho at the start of the season in place of new manager Avram Grant, who has had to deal with the adjustments and the injuries that are plaguing Chelsea. Injuries to the likes of Chelsea stars Andriy Schevchenko, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge, John Terry, Claude Makelele and Ricardo Carvalho have not been good for head coach Avram Grant in trying to put the best 11 on his line-up.

Definitely, it has been a big mystery of mix-and-match in order to find a proper combination in order to bring out the amazing Chelsea football team chemistry. Back in September 2007 was a low point for Chelsea, giving up an 0-2 loss to Aston Villa, an 0-2 loss to Manchester United, an 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers at home and another 0-0 draw with Fulham also at home at Stamford Bridge.

Since then, things have looked up for Chelsea FC, and their recent 2-0 away win against Wigan Athletic has extended their winning streak to seven in a row, 5 straight in the English Premiership and 2 matches in the UEFA Champions League.

The goals for Chelsea against Wigan Athletic came from vice-captain Frank Lampard, who opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Frank Lampard has scored 4 goals for Chelsea in the last two matches, including a hat trick against Leicester City last week for a Carling Cup match.

Chelsea's Juliano Belletti scored his first ever goal for Chelsea after he had taken the ball from a little past half court and took it to the edge of the box before unleashing an awesome strike to beat Wigan Athletic keeper Chris Kirkland.

Chelsea's win move them to the third spot in the English Premier League standings with 24 points, just 3 behind the league leaders Arsenal and Manchester United who both have 27 points.

Chelsea's next match will be a UEFA Champions League group stage match against German Bundelsiga 1 club Schalke '04 on November 6. Chelsea defeated Schalke 2-0 last October 2007 when they hosted the German side at Stamford Bridge. This time Chelsea will be visitors at Schalke. While that might be a slight disadvantage, Chelsea's form look good enough to book them a win and earn the 3 points to take a commanding lead in Groub B of the UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea's next Premiership match will be on November 11 against Everton at Stamford Bridge.

To find out more about English football betting tips, and place bets on Chelsea vs. Everton and other English Premier League matches, click here.

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Arsenal's William Gallas - from goat to hero.

Arsenal's home pitch at the Emirates Stadium should've given them the advantage in their English Premier League match against rivals Manchester United.

However, it was Arsenal trailing at the end of the first half when Arsenal captain William Gallas scored an own-goal in the 45th minute to give Manchester United a 1-0 advantage. 2 minutes following the start of the second half, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas collected a pass from team mate Bacary Sagna, and struck the ball into the corner of the goal past Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar to put the game level at 1-1.

Manchester United were able to go ahead in the 81st minute when Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo slotted the ball into an empty Arsenal goal, following a string of fine passes by Arsenal team mates Louis Saha and Patrice Evra to find an unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo's goal put Manchester United up 2-1, and it looked like that would be enough for Manchester United to walk away from the Emirates Stadium with 3 points and the solo lead of the English Premier League.

However, Arsenal captain William Gallas was able to volley the ball past Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar after a scramble in the box during injury time to draw the match at 2-2. Manchester United and Arsenal earn a point each to make their point total at an even 27 points to stay at the top of the English Premier League. Arsenal, technically, are English Premiership leaders with a better record, having earned 27 points in 11 games played as compared to English Premier League champions Manchester United, who have 27 points in 12 games played. Arsenal are still unbeaten this season.

The next football schedule of Arsenal and Manchester United include a UEFA Champions League group stage match on November 7. Arsenal will have an away-match against Slavia Praha while Manchester United host Dynamo Kyiv at Old Trafford in England.

As far as the English Premier League goes, Arsenal's next fixture will be on November 12 with an away game against Reading. Manchester United will be hosting the Blackburn Rovers on November 11 at Old Trafford.

To check out the football betting tips for the English Premier League or the UEFA Champions League, and place bets on Manchester United vs. Dynamo Kyiv, Arsenal vs. Slavia Praha, Arsenal vs. Reading or Manchester United vs. Blackburn Rovers and other European football matches, then click here.

Italian Serie A club AC Milan will face Ukrainian Premier League club Shaktar Donetsk in another UEFA Champions League group stage match. Shaktar and AC Milan faced each other last October 27 at the San Siro in Milan, Italy, and AC Milan were able to beat Shaktar 4-1. Alberto Gilardino and Clarence Seedorf scored 2 goals each for AC Milan in that 4-1 win over Shaktar Donetsk.

Shkatar Donetsk and AC Milan both lead the UEFA Champions League Group D with 6 points each. Certainly, the winner of the Shaktar-AC Milan match will be the solo leader of Group D.

Shaktar Donetsk will host AC Milan at the RSC Olympiyskiy Stadium in Donetsk, Ukraine for the upcoming November 7 Champions League match. Shaktar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu will be relying on the likes of Cristiano Lucarelli, Dmytro Chygrnskiy and Ilsinho to provide the home win.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti will be sure to have Kaka, Clarence Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo and Alessandro Nesta on the roster if they hope to win again against Shaktar. Even Brazilian star forward and former Real Madrid striker Ronaldo might be clear to see action after missing several matches for AC Milan due to recovery from injuries.

Oddsmakers are considering AC Milan as the favorite to win considering AC Milan's last performance against Shaktar.

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