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Champions League Odds – Liverpool vs. Real Madrid

Zack Garrison

by Zack Garrison in News

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:40 AM PST

Tomorrow (at 2:45 p.m. Eastern), Liverpool will host the current European champion, Real Madrid, at Anfield in the third fixture of the UEFA Champions League Group Stage. The “merengues” have been on fire in La Liga, scoring 30 goals in just eight games this season (the best offensive performance in the Spanish league since 1987) and in the Champions League, scoring seven goals in their first two matches. 

In the head-to-head history, the Reds have won all four matches, including one 4-0 victory in 2009. Indeed, Real Madrid has never scored against Liverpool in official games. However, Real are at the peak of European soccer right now and enter the game as favorites, sitting at -125 in the moneyline; Liverpool is +375, and the draw is +280.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid squad is a perfect 2-0 and leading the Group B with six points and a +5 goal difference. Meanwhile, Liverpool is tied with Basel for second in the group with three points (1W, 0D, 1L) and zero in the goal differential.

This game will have a little extra meaning for Real Madrid’s Álvaro Arbeloa. The Spanish international played for Liverpool early in his career. He will be looking to burn his former club tomorrow, but will also take some time to savor the moment.

“Going back to Liverpool after five years will be very special. I played at Anfield, so it will be great. But not just for me. I have told my team-mates to enjoy the match at Anfield as much as possible. Champions League nights and big games like this one at Anfield are very special. We’re going to be up against a team that will come out to fight to the last and will give everything, because they need to win too,” said the defender regarding the game in an interview given to UEFA.

Real Madrid is favored thanks to their prolific offense. Meanwhile, Liverpool is struggling to score after losing striker slash biter Luis Suarez.

Bet Madrid to win this one, despite playing away from home.

(Photo credit: Nigel Wilson [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.)

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