18-02-2008 Champions League Betting - Knockout Phase

English clubs enjoyed mixed fortunes ahead of the first legs of the knock-out stage of the Champions League. 2005 winners Liverpool were humbled in the FA Cup at Anfield by lowly Barnsley, while 2006 finalists Arsenal will still be licking their wounds after a 4-0 mauling at Old Trafford, which conversely will have boosted the Red Devils. It is up to bettors to decide how these results will affect midweek European performances, before going to PinnacleSports.com for 60% better Champions League betting odds on all eight fixtures.

The business end of Champions League starts on Tuesday, as the sixteen remaining teams enter the knockout phase, hoping to make all the way to the final in Moscow on May 21st. The odds on 2005 winners, Liverpool, repeating their success lengthened at PinnacleSports.com over the weekend as the Reds were humbled at Anfield in the FA Cup by Championship side, Barnsley. Despite the Tykes using a loaned goalkeeper who had been out of action since mid-December, Liverpool’s world class team couldn’t find a way passed Luke Steele, so what chance against Italian Champions, and current runaway leaders, Inter Milan?

PinnacleSports.com still has the Scousers as marginal favourites off a level handicap 1.847 (0/scratch)* with Inter Milan 2.090 (0/scratch)* – a market priced to less than 102%. It is important to note that Fernando Torres was rested on Saturday, while captain, Steven Gerrard, only played the last 15 minutes of the shock FA Cup defeat. Liverpool have repeatedly confounded critics in Europe, while despite sweeping all before them in Serie A - losing just one league game in 20 months - Inter Milan still have a point to prove on the European stage where their best performance was a semi-final in 2002.

Young Gunners Take On Champions League Specialists

Arsenal must bounce back from a humiliating 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday evening. The tie was effectively over after just twenty minutes with United taking a comfortable 2-0 lead. Both sides rested players, but Arsene Wenger will be worried by Arsenal’s the lack of passion, and the negative impact on morale. The Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup at the same stage last season, then followed up with disappointment in the Champions League, losing to PSV Eindhoven in the last 16.

Their opponents at the Emirates Stadium, AC Milan, do have problems of their own, with injury doubts over almost all their strike-force. Ronaldo’s career maybe over after a horrendous knee injury last Wednesday, while Kaka only returned from an enforced lay-off in Saturday’s goalless draw with Parma. Alexandre Pato is the club’s new great white hope, but though he travels to London, is still doubtful due to a twisted ankle. Milan do however possess a greater level of experience in this competition, reaching the final in three of the last five campaigns, while Arsenal must put their faith in talented youth that have taken them five points clear at the top of the Premiership against pre-season predictions. PinnacleSports.com make Arsenal favourites 1.855 (0/scratch & -0.5)* with AC Milan 2.080 (0/scratch & +0.5)*.

*All odds subject to change

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