Liverpool vs Fiorentina Betting – Champions League Wednesday

Liverpool head into action against Fiorentina at Anfield, with their Champions League in tatters. Their Italian opponents have already qualified and need at least a draw to try and hold on to the top spot in Group E, which they have played their way into. Fiorentina have rattled in twelve goals in their five Match Day games during this campaign, and have been a bright spark in the competition. All Liverpool have left to look forward to now, is a run in the Europa League in the spring, a fall from grace from being a dominant force in the Champions League in past seasons. Liverpool, with a win for themselves and defeat for Lyon, will finish on the same points. But, due to Liverpool’s misery up front this season, with star striker Fernando Torres missing matches, they have a far inferior goal difference which will keep them in third place. Liverpool are a far weaker side without the presence of Torres, who has scored 7 goals in his last 5 Champions League appearances.

The Reds have been coming under all sorts of pressure on the domestic front, and another disappointing, directionless 0-0 draw against Blackburn on the weekend, has not helped their cause. They have another big test in the Premier League on the weekend, with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal heading north to Merseyside. This, for all intents is a meaningless game for Liverpool and Rafa Benitez will be slightly torn between resting some of his main players like Steven Gerrard, and putting them out to try and get some momentum going. How many more defeats would the Anfield crowd take though, if Benitez fielded a weakened side which was over-run by Fiorentina?

Fiorentina do have something to play for, and they will be looking for a win, because they will be aware that Lyon are just two points behind them in the group. Lyon are in action against Debreceni, who are bottom of the group without a single point, so it is a fair bet that the French will pick up another three points, although they looked very lacklustre in the weekend letting a two goal lead slip in a 4-3 defeat against Lille. Fiorentina lost a couple of games recently, but regained a little more of their composure in a 2-0 weekend victory of Atalanta, which keeps them in fifth place in Serie A. Fiorentina’s Serbian striker Steven Jovetic will be a thorn in Liverpool’s side, having scored two goals in two appearances in the Champions League, along with Alberto Gilardino, who has bagged a brace in four matches. Adrian Mutu though, will be missing, likely for the rest of the Champions League campaign and his presence will be a loss having scored 3 goals in 4 goals. That is how potent the Viola can be.

Liverpool’s defensive unit, which has looked anything but steady this season, could have their work cut out for them at home. Rafa Benitez may very well take a cautious appearance to this game, especially as Steven Gerrard is still getting back to full health after his injuries. It will be unlikely that he would leave out the captain, and there is some hope that Fernando Torres and Alberto Aquilani will take some part. It has been a long five games for Liverpool without Torres and the Kop are still waiting to see something from Aquilani who hasn’t put in an appearance since his transfer from Roma in the summer. An ankle injury has been keeping the Italian, who has received rave reviews, out of the team all season. Meanwhile talks with Javier Mascherano, who is reportedly unsettled and wants away to Barcelona, is under negotiations to extend his contract at the club. Despite Rafa Benitez’s insistence that the Argentine is at his best, Mascherano has failed to make any kind of real impact at Liverpool, looking largely anonymous at times.

Liverpool to win: 11/10 at Bet365
Draw: 12/5 at SkyBet
Fiorentina to win: 14/5 at ExtraBet

Betting Advice: Under normal circumstances, you would bank somewhat on a Liverpool win at Anfield, but Fiorentina, as they have proven are a good team, and do have something to play, whereas Liverpool don’t. Liverpool will finish in third, whatever happens on Wednesday night. The Viola outplayed the Reds when they met earlier in the competition, which put the first real big dent in Liverpool’s campaign. On current form, and striking power, it could be the final nail in the home side’s Champions League appearances for this year.
Fiorentina +0.5 Asian Handicap: 4/5 at bet365