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Liverpool on the brink

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 04/11/2009
Football betting

All eyes will be on Liverpool on Wednesday night when they look to salvage their season with a victory over Lyon in France.

Rafael Benitez's side will enter the last-chance saloon at the Stade Gerland and know that anything other than a victory is likely to end their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Their 2-1 defeat at home to Lyon two weeks ago has left the ailing Reds third in the Group E table behind the French club and table-toppers Fiorentina.

A 1-0 victory over Debrecen on matchday one has been followed by back-to-back defeats and time is beginning to run out on their hopes of being crowned European champions for the sixth time.

Liverpool's domestic form hardly hints at a resurgence as, despite a 2-0 victory over Manchester United last month, they have lost to Fulham, Sunderland and Chelsea in the Premier League and been dumped out of the Carling Cup by Arsenal.

Benitez's future has come into question and the under-fire Spanish boss is not being helped by a lengthy injury list which could see ten first-team players miss the trip to France.

Doubts remain over key duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres plus Glen Johnson and Martin Skrtel, while Albert Riera and Alberto Aquilani have already been ruled out.

However, Liverpool do have previous when it comes to pulling something out of the bag in the Champions League as their 3-1 win over Olimpiacos in 2005 sealed their place in the knockout stages against the odds.

Rangers' hopes are also hanging by the narrowest of threads ahead of their trip to Romania to face Unirea Urziceni.

Losing 4-1 to Unirea at Ibrox two weeks ago has left Walter Smith's side needing to win their three remaining games to stand any hopes of progressing.

Online betting fifth favourites Arsenal have no such problems as they prepare to host AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates Stadium.

A 1-1 draw in Holland two weeks ago courtesy of a late conceded equaliser was a disappointment for the Gunners, but a win on home soil would virtually guarantee their progress from Group H.

Will Arsenal win the Champions League this season? - Latest Football Betting

Elsewhere, Internazionale must win away at Dynamo Kiev if the stuttering Italian champions are to qualify from a congested Group F.

Inter find themselves bottom of the table and behind Barcelona, Kiev and new-boys Rubin Kazan after drawing their three opening group stage games.

Meanwhile, reigning champions and sportsbook favourites Barcelona are looking for revenge over Rubin Kazan after slipping to a surprise 2-1 defeat at the Camp Nou on matchday three.

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