Bet on Liverpool - get a refund if they fail
Liverpool head to Portugal on the back of arguably their best performance of the season in beating Manchester United 3-1 at Anfield, and are taking their only chance to of winning silverware seriously by taking fit-again record signing Andy Carroll with them to face Sporting Braga.
Captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out but won't be missed too much because, as we argued on Monday, he wasn't integral to their weekend success and several of their most encouraging results of a turbulent campaign have come in his absence, including their last away Europa League triumph against Trabzonspor.
The Reds remain unbeaten in the Europa League after a dozen encounters, a feat that Kenny Dalglish rather classily credited his much-maligned predecessor Roy Hodgson for, and while their last four continental away trips have ended level, [2.7] is a reasonable price on them beating Braga tonight.
Thanks to our special offer for those opening new Betfair accounts, you can bet up to £25 on this match and have your stake refunded if your punt proves unsuccessful.
Liverpool's travelling form has picked up under Dalglish, with two victories, a draw and a loss to show from their last four outings on the road after a run of eight without any joy at the end of Hodgson's reign and start of King Kenny's return, while Sporting Braga's once brilliant home record is crumbling.
The Portuguese side, runners-up domestically last season yet also-rans on this occasion with half the points that current leaders Porto boast, beat Arsenal 2-0 in November at the Estadio Municipal de Braga with two late goals but have won just two of their last six in front of their fans, losing three.
The possibility of Liverpool being happy to settle for a draw can't be ruled out so perhaps the safest loss-proof bet available is under 2.5 goals at [1.6], while their streak of three straight European clean sheets lends itself to a wager on them keeping another at [2.86].
Sporting Braga v Liverpool
Kick-off: 6pm
Live on Five
Think Liverpool will be frustrated? The draw is [3.2], with 0-0 [8.4]...
Published: 10 Mar 2011
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