Liverpool v Spartak Moscow Betting Preview – UEFA Champions League 6th December 7.45pm
The Reds would fail to get through to the next round of the Champions League if they were to end up losing this game. But a draw gets them through while a victory at Anfield will give them the group win. The Russians will be turning up on Merseyside through with something to play for as they have to win this to get through and any other result sees them go to the Europa League, which is where Liverpool will head if they lose this fixture.
Liverpool v Spartak Moscow Betting Tips
Both Liverpool and Spartak have something to play for in this fixture. Liverpool kicks off as Group E leaders with nine points, one ahead of second placed Sevilla. They are three ahead of Spartak Moscow and after the two played out a 1-1 draw in Moscow earlier in the group stage, it means that if the Russians win at Anfield, they will have the superior head to head against the English club and go through at their expense. However, there is a lifeline for Liverpool if they do lose, because they will get through only if Sevilla lose as well. Liverpool and Spartak Moscow were together in the 2002/03 first group stage of the Champions League and Liverpool won 5-0 at home and took a 3-1 away win in Moscow. Previous to that they met in the 1992/93 European Cup Winners’ Cup second round, with the Russians prevailing 6-2 on aggregate. Liverpool have lost just one previous home game against Russian sides (W3 D2 L1).
The last time that Liverpool played host to a side from Russia they played out a 1-1 draw with FC Rubin in the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League group stage. So far in the Champions League group stage this season, they played out a draw with Sevilla and took a win over Maribor. Those games have taken them to a twelve match unbeaten streak of form on home soil in Europe (W8 D4) and that draw with Sevilla snapped a six match winning streak that they were on at home in Europe. Mohamed Salah has scored 17 goals in 22 games for Liverpool and he is the 3/1 William Hill first goalscorer option favourite for the game. Liverpool have had their defensive issues this season, albeit mostly away from home, but both teams to score returns a decent price of 4/5. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last twelve fixtures at Anfield in all competitions (W7 D5) so are carrying good form there and they have scored three goals or more in seven of their last eight games (W6 D2). In the correct score market, a Liverpool 2-0 result is a 6/1 price with the 3-0 at 13/2.
Spartak Moscow then has a shot at getting through to the next round but the only way that happens is if they win at Anfield on Wednesday. They will finish top of the group as well with a victory unless Sevilla win. However, the Russians have failed to record an away victory in Europe since a 1-0 victory at Ajax in the 2010/11 Europa League. Since then their away form in Europe is D5 L5. The Russians hold a W4 D1 L4 record in England from their nine previous trips there and it’s been a while since they landed there. Their most recent fixture in England was in the 1995/96 group stage when they took a 1-0 win at Blackburn. They are D1 L4 in their last five visits to England. So far on their travels this season in the group stage, they took a 1-1 draw at Maribor and suffered a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla. Spartak Moscow were actually winless in nine games home and away in Europe before they snapped it in some style with a 5-1 home victory over Sevilla on match day three. This is their first appearance in the group stage of the Champions League since the 2012/13 season when they finished bottom of their group. Their matchday four reverse at Sevilla FC is their only defeat in 19 matches in all competitions. They have nothing to lose in this trip to Anfield
Liverpool v Spartak Moscow Betting Odds
Liverpool 2/9, Draw 11/2, Spartak Moscow 10/1
Liverpool v Spartak Moscow Predictions
Home advantage should count for everything in this one and the Reds are a good prospect to go and get the win that they need to top out this group. Their scoring power is flowing well again and they will likely have too much in store for the visitors who can’t afford themselves to really sit back all match. Back Liverpool to win & Both Teams To Score.
