Liverpool have returned to confident play in a big way. After defeating OSC Lille 3-0 in their return Europa League fixture, Fernando Torres had the fortitude to score first on Manchester United in their weekend derby match that ended 2-1 in Manchester's favor. The loss can be attributed to United's strength as a club as well as home team advantage and in no way reflects the weaknesses of Liverpool's current performance. The Reds are now 11-2-2 at Anfield and will not bow for a team like Sunderland. Rafael Benitez knows that he must secure a Top Four finish if he wants to keep his job and will therefore take no risks with an attacking formation to ensure 3 points. With several good recent performances, Sunderland are safely in the middle of the table and have a nice cushion between them and relegation territory. They have gone 2-2-1 in their past 5 matches, losing only away to Arsenal and beating Birmingham and Bolton by wide margins. Most notable was a 1-1 draw with stacked Manchester City, who are also currently seeking a top four finish. The big problem for the Black Cats has been their road performance this season. With a 1-3-10 record, they just can not seem to achieve any kind of consistency while away. Sunderland won the prequel to this match in October by a mere 1-0 margin. Darren Bent's 5' goal would ultimately decide the match at the Stadium of Light and outlined Liverpool's ineffectiveness without their star striker, Fernando Torres. It seems, however, that the young spaniard is seeking to make up for lost time. Torres has scored 5 times in the last 3 games and given the chance will put this match beyond question with his speed and skill on the ball.
Russia (22-03-2010, 12:30)Russia (22-03-2010, 12:30)
Call me a non-patriot, but that's the way I see this pair. In previous round SKA were taken by shock and they simply didn't have the game to make it against inspired Dinamo Riga. But MVD games are the other case - they don't have such stars as SKA team, don't have same budget, but what they have is more valuable. They have its own game, when everybody knows what to do and where he should be and they have great coach Znarok as well. In first 2 matches MVD looked a very matured team and they controled it most of the time, even when they have been losing 1:0 in first game, during 2 periods of the game.Today MVD will be facing another dificulty as well - thats 11 500 spectators, which means 112 db loud crowd chearing for the home team. That's from what inspiration can come for the home team. But it won't be enough this time.
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