Spartak Moscow v Liverpool Betting Preview – UEFA Champions League 26th September 7.45pm
These long away nights in Europe are never easy and the Reds have to make the long haul over to Moscow. On Match Day One, both matches in the group played out a draw, with Liverpool being held at Anfield against Sevilla, which was a bit of a missed opportunity for them. However, they are kicking off as favourites out in Russia in this one. It may be one of those enduring, long nights were just getting a win on the board in any shape or form will count for a lot.
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool Betting Tips
This will be just the fifth meeting between Spartak Moscow and Liverpool and things are even from the previous clashes. Spartak Moscow almost claimed three points out at Maribor on match day one, before being pegged back late for a 1-1 draw. The last time that the Russians hosted an English side was when they met Chelsea in 2010/11 and they lost both games against the Blues (6-1 on aggregate) in the group stage. Overall Spartak Moscow’s record against English clubs W9 D2 L6; at home, it reads W5 D1 L2. This is the first time that they have been back in the group stage since 2012/13 and on each of their last two appearances at the group stage, they have posted a W1 L2 record on home soil. The Russians have lost each of their last three home games in Europe and have suffered defeats in four of their last five there. They have won only four of their last 17 home games, losing 11. They are without a win in their last eight European fixtures, home and away, since a 2-1 victory over Benfica on 23 October 2012. Their record since then is D3 L5. Over 2.5 goals at bet365 fetches a price of 7/10. From the four previous games between these two, Liverpool won both meetings in the 2002/03 season of the Champions League, while Spartak won the two meetings in the 1992/93 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Liverpool couldn’t get a win on the board in the opening fixture of this season’s Champions League as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Sevilla at Anfield. The last time that Liverpool went to Russia they did come away with a win as they beat Rubin Kazan 1-0 in the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League group stage and that extended an unbeaten run against Russian opponents to three matches (W2 D1). Liverpool’s record in Russia reads W3 D0 L3 so not much to take from that. Liverpool’s away form in Europe isn’t all that great because they had won just two of their last 13 away games in Europe (D6 L5) before they posted a win at Hoffenheim in the play off round this season. So they haven’t been the greatest out on the road. Mohamed Salah is carrying a bit of form with six goals in nine appearances for Liverpool and is a 13/10 anytime goalscorer option for this one with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane at 3/2. Both teams to score at bet365 is a price of 7/10 and that’s always an option where Liverpool are involved of course because of their defence. The 1-1 draw in the bet365 correct score market returns a price of 13/2 while a Liverpool to get a 1-0 win is a 7/1 poke.
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool Betting Odds
Liverpool 4/6, Draw 3/1, Spartak Moscow 15/4
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool Predictions
Liverpool to win: Liverpool will know that they have to perform in this and it should be a relatively sedate game. Moscow will frustrate them in periods but the hosts may not have enough going forward to actually take advantage of any weakness in Liverpool’s defence. Away win.
