Anyone who's read some of my previews before knows how often I take this stance when Liverpool play at home against inferior opposition yet in important matches. Anfield is a very difficult ground to go to and get a result. One of the hardest in the world!

Basically Liverpool keep clean sheets at Anfield. And more often than not they score too. They already boast the meanest defence in the premier league (along with Man Utd) having conceeded only 2 goals so far (Both penalties).

Whilst Jamie Carragher has never hit the hights of the international stage, no one can argue with his contribution at the heart of Liverpool's back four. He's definately one of the main reasons for Liverpool's excellent defensive record.

Anyway, The Reds have kept clean sheets in their last 5 premier league games and I can see another against Marseille in this Champions League clash. Liverpool really cant afford to drop points here. They shouldn't have too many problems. Marseille are struggling at the wrong end of their domestic league table with only one win in their 9 Ligue 1 matches so far. They were recently beaten 2-1 by Toulouse - whom Liverpool effectively knocked out of the Champions League with a 4-0 drubbing at Anfield. I can see Liverpool doing the same to Marseille. I'm not concerned that Liverpool failed to score against Birmingham and Portsmouth recently as the way those teams played against Liverpool wont be the same as the way Marseille will play. Marseille will not constantly close down Liverpool players

giving them no time on the ball, thats not really the way teams play in Europe. Liverpool will get time on the ball and will therefore create plenty of goalscoring opportunities. They certainly have the talent to put them away.

There are a couple of niggling worries though.....Marseille have just appointed a new coach and we've all seen how that sometimes has an immediate effect on a team. Also, we've all often seen players come back to haunt their previous club, well Marseille could well line up with Ex Liverpool Djibril Cisse and Boudewijn Zenden in their team (Cisse is doubtful with a leg injury, but the more dangerous of the two) Thats not enough to put me off this bet though.

More importantly, Marseille's playmaker, Samir Nasri is out with a virus and without him Marseille will struggle to create chances. Liverpool will replace the suspended Pennant with either Benayoun or Babel. Gerrard will stay in the centre of midfield where there should be no small children for him to run over in his Bentley !!!

I looked at all the angles for this bet and my first impression was to hunt the best price for the Liverpool clean sheet. Betdirect go a tasty 1.72 for this. Tasty when you consider that Ladbrokes go a much more realistic 1.44. Another thing I've also found is that they are never far wrong at Ladbrokes and you take on their odds compilers at your own risk. Factor in that liverpool are about 1.08 at best to score themselves and you are looking at realistic odds of 1.6 Max for a win to nil. Therefore the 1.91 at Skybet simply has to be taken.

Good Luck.............



Pick : Liverpool To Win To Nil
Odds : 1.91
Stake : 8 / 10
Bookmaker : Skybet
Match Result :
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