Liverpool vs Arsenal preview-December 13

Liverpool vs Arsenal– December 13, 2009 (16.00 GMT kickoff)

Arsenal will seek to secure their first win at Anfield since October 2003 when they meet Liverpool in Sunday’s only Premier League fixture. Both the teams are way off the pace in the league, especially Liverpool, who are a whopping twelve points behind leaders Chelsea. Arsenal on the other hand are eight points behind Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but do have one game in hand.

Defeat for Liverpool would put a further dent into their already slim title aspirations, while a loss for the Gunners will again bring their title challenge into scrutiny. Loads of punters are unclear as to whom to put as favourites, but many people are putting their money on the Gunners despite their injury hit squad. The Gunners’ last trip to this stadium was an eight goal thriller in which Andrei Arshavin scored four times. The little Russian is again expected to start in the final third of the pitch in the absence of Robin Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.

The Torres Factor:- What kind of role could El Nino play?

Torres was a substitute in Liverpool’s midweek Champions League clash against Fiorentina. The Spanish marksman is tipped to start against the Gunners and manager Rafa Benitez will be hoping that the striker can produce a moment of genius similar to the one he conjured against Manchester United.

Liverpool form- Are the Reds in red hot form?

Unfortunately they aren’t. Liverpool have won just two of their last eight league games, and failed to break down a solid Blackburn Rovers side last weekend.

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Juventus 1-4 FC Bayern Munich

German giants Bayern Munich completed an unbelievable comeback to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League at the expense of Juventus. Bayern were six points behind Juventus with two games to play, and their win against Maccabi, coupled with Juve’s loss to Bordeaux, meant that Bayern could qualify for the Champions League only and only if they beat Juventus in Turin. And beat they did, after falling behind to Trezeguet’s opener for Juventus. Relief for FC Bayern, disaster for Juventus boss Ciro Ferrara after their weekend Derby D’Italia win over Inter Milan.

Juventus took the lead through Trezeguet’s superb volley on 19 minutes, but Bayen were level when goalkeeper Hans Jorg Butt converted a penalty earned by Ivica Olic. Olic himself put the Bavarians ahead in the second half, and late strikes from Gomez and Tymoschuk put paid to Juve’s hopes.

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Fiorentina 2-0 Atalanta

Fiorentina warmed up for their midweek Champions League trip to Anfield with a convincing 2-0 win over Atalanta in Florence. Juan Vargas and Alberto Gilardino were the scorers for Cesare Prandelli’s men. Atalanta finished with ten men after the dismissal of Valdes. It was a timely result for La Viola, who had suffered two consecutive home defeats before Atalanta came visiting to Stadio Artemio Franchi.

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