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.

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.

English Premier League club Liverpool is difficult to beat when they play in front of the home fans at Anfield. However, Arsenal has been on an impressive streak, having been unbeaten in their last 12 matches and are at the top of the English Premier League standings. Certainly, Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger were going to keep up the quality of their football and hope to disappoint the Liverpool crowd with a win.

But then, it was Liverpool who were relentless on their attack, and eventually were awarded the first goal of the game when Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard smashed a free-kick from 20 meters out to make the score 1-0 in favor of Liverpool in just 7 minutes from the start of the match.

Liverpool maintained the one goal advantage throughout the match, but Arsenal were able to score an equaliser in the 80th minute when Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas scored a goal.

Cesc Fabregas could've made the score 2-1 in the 86th minute, but his attempt unfortunately hit the post.

Andriy Voronin, Jamie Carragher, Peter Crouch and Sam Hyypia played well for Liverpool.

Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Tomas Rosicky, Mathieu Flamini and Aliaksandr Hleb played well for Arsenal.

The scoreline stood at 1-1, and Arsenal earn one point for the draw to keep them at the top of the English Premier League with 26 points, tied with English Premier League champions Manchester United who also have 26 points.

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez commented, "We played well but at the end, that (the result) is what matters. I'm disappointed because I hit the post and we go home disappointed because we deserved to get the three points."

Liverpool are at 6th in the English Premier League standings with 20 points following the draw with Arsenal.

Arsenal's next match will be a home match at the Emirates Stadium against Manchester United on November 3. It will be a battle of the top two in the English Premier League with both Arsenal and Manchester United hoping for a win to maintain the solo lead at the top of the standings.

Liverpool will be visitors at Ewood Park where they play the Blackburn Rovers on November 3.

To bet on Arsenal vs. Manchester United, Liverpool vs. Blackburn Rovers and other matches of the English Premier League, click here.

The England national football team cruised to an easy 3-0 victory against Estonia to the delight of a full-capactiy crowd in the New Wembley Stadium in London, England.

In the 11th minute, England midfielder Shaun-Wright Phillips put England 1-0 up against Estonia when he drilled a shot between the legs of Estonia's keeper Mart Poom. In the 32nd minute, England striker Wayne Rooney of English Premier League champions Manchester United made it 2-0, grabbing his first international goal in eleven months. One minute after that, Ashley Cole sent in a deep cross that was headed by Estonia defender Taavi Rahn into his own net. Rahn's own goal gave the English home side a 3-0 advantage, which they maintained throughout the match.

It was the 5th successive 3-0 victory of England, who collected 3 points for the win against Estonia to improve their standings in Group E of the UEFA Euro 2008 to 2nd place with 23 points. Croatia leads Group E with 26 points, collecting 3 more points following a 10 home victory against Israel. Russia are in 3rd place in Group E with 18 points, and must perform well in their last 3 matches. Russia will go up against England on October 17, against Israel on November 17 and against Andorra on November 21. Russia must win against England if they still hope to make it to the Euro 2008 Finals. Otherwise, a win by England will certainly stretch their lead over 3rd place Russia.

The last time England met Russia was just last September 2007 when Russia were visitors at the New Wembley Stadium. England defeated the Russian side 3-0. Russia will be looking to capitalize on their home pitch advantage when England visit them on October 17. Russian soccer stars hoping to provide that much needed spark include Aleksandr Kerzhakov of Spanish Super Cup and UEFA Cup champions Sevilla FC.

England, of course, has an impressive lineup that includes Steven Gerrard of Liverpool, Frank Lampard of Chelsea and Michael Owen of Newcastle United. However, England will not have the services of Ashley Cole, who suffered a serious ankle injury in the match against Estonia.

To bet on England vs. Russia and other group stage matches of the UEFA Euro 2008, click here.