Arsenal @ Liverpool

[alb]

Personally, I find at least 70% of soccer games to be boring (and I watch a lot.....or at least start watching) although it was my favourite sport to play many moons ago. The whole European system is a disgrace: no draft system, no salary cap, no trades and no standard college education for players to fall back on. Whoever has the most money wins (just look at Chelsea and its Russian Mafia owner). Granted, North America permits the 'buy a winner' philosophy in baseball....specifically the Yankees.

Premiership games are almost as tough as picking the NFL.....almost.

I digress.
With the entertaining Gerrard and Henry squaring off, I may be able to make it to the end of tonights feature game of Liverpool v Arsenal. I'm taking a good chunk on Liverpool (+120) who have won 9 of 12 at home while Arsenal have lost 6 of 12 on the road.

Comments welcome as I know there are a few soccer buffs out there.

 

[IX_Bender]

Youve made some valid points about the state of the sport on its highest level. I believe that EPL is the hardest of the major leagues to handicap on a week by week basis.

Much like some NFL tilts, this game is best suited to watch and not play on. Personally, Id rather lay the chalk and get Liverpool at a Pk. No matter though, as I wouldnt touch this one.

BTW - Out of 30 teams in MLB, the Yankees are 3/1 to win the World Series next year.

 

[Soko]

Its hardly a dooms day scenario like you have portrayed, we're just used to it this way and American draft systems etc... would just not work.



Everything was seemingly fine in my eyes untill the evil that emerged from Stamford Bridge a few seasons back. The devils spawn (Kenyon) has managed to create the most depressing corporation any sport has ever seen and that somehow manages to even piss on the Yankees. Chelsea have made losses of roughly $400 million over the past 2 seasons but it doesn't matter a bit as Abramovich is worth well over $10 billion. The Italians have tried to tie Berlusconis wallet up and its time for UEFA/FIFA to put a stop to this nonsense, you cannot and should bot be allowed to run a club like Chelsea have done and continue to act like they are above the law. Ban their transfers (0bi Mikel fiasco) and make them operate with at least 1% of fiscal responsibilty.


Liverpool tonight 11/10, $300. Arsenal are a shambles defensively at the moment although Liverpool need a striker to step. They haven't had one score yet this year.

 

[Anders]

Come on the mighty Gooners!!!!

 

[Guerilla_Ninja]

since im coming off a 10 hour live poker stint, ill be spending the afternoon in and out of sleep. hence, ive taken an interest in this match.

i think liverpools next three games, which do come up very quick after each other, will have them tight. meaning, i doubt they will "push" that often or be overly aggressive. counters will be the means to offensive. also, its not like the reds are a scoring machine either. look at goals for over the last five. i realize the last meeting between the two netted 4 goals but, this total is set at 2 for a reason. i also like the gunners D in the last 5. throw out west ham if you please... last two away have shown 1 against. the reds are the 3rd place team in the premiership... now, and at the end... the play is held majority in the midfield here. if the reds can lock up henry (the only concern(???), this one has a chance to draw at +220.

and yes soko, unless i bet football, i can barely stand to watch it. its primarily the brasilians that keep me enthused... the new breed of kaka, christiano ronaldo and robiniho.

 

[alb]

What's even worse about Abramovich is that he uses his Russian tax evasion money to pay for his team. I heard he admits it. He should be in jail but the Russian politicians are in his pockets. Political friends and suspicious imprisonments of those above Abramovich were how he made his wealth. I guess simple assasinations instead of phony convictions would have just transferred power to the relatives of his obstacles. I can't believe a known 'white collared' organised crime figure is even allowed into the UK.....money talks. I'm sure he doesn't pay UK taxes with these big losses he shows as well.
Reminds me of the powerful Kennedy's.....a dynasty that started with bootlegging during prohibition?


The over 2.5 on this Liverpool/Arsenal looks a small play as well. I got +150 on the exchanges.

 

[Soko]

I despise Chelsea and everything they stand for. Always have and always will, the russian and Kenyon just add fuel to the flames.






As the for the game Arsenal are very patchy. They should have been betaen at home by Bolton on Saturday and their defense is horrible. They'll concede tonight and then Henry is all they have going forward against a pretty solid Liverpool defense. I'm on Liverpool to over power Arsenal at Anfield. No idea of what score but I think it could be by 2.

 

[Guerilla_Ninja]

alb, if you fancy an over at 2.5 (although i appreciate the +150). you can get a 2 at near even (-120 at olympic). possibly 2x on an over 2 and 1x on an over 2.5? just a thought... again, imho... im chancing a draw at +220. i just dont see recent form lending to scoring.

but, thats why they play the match

best of luck...

 

[InSpades]

Steven Gerrard missed a penalty kick for Liverpool.

Does that happen often in soccer?

I hope that doesn't bite us in the arse.


IS

 

[Guerilla_Ninja]

you miss penalty kicks when you play for liverpool...

wow, must admit that i was way off my assumption of liverpool holding back a bit. liverpool is playing very forward and, of course, dominating. if the reds score first, forget it... my draw wager is history. did arsenal even put one on goal??? lehman is on his game. arsenal looks very, very content with a draw. i doubt they move forward in the 2nd and assume a defensive sub, or two, in the 2nd half.

i hope the gunners can sustain the red pressure in the 2nd. i doubt it subsides. so far, so draw...

nil nil mates!!!!

 

[InSpades]

you miss penalty kicks when you play for liverpool...

Do they stink at penalty kicks? I thought scoring on penalty kicks were at least an 80% proposition.

IS

 

[Soko]

Get in there, finally scored after dominating the entire game.



I dont know how many Arsenal or Liverpool games you've seen but this is exactly how they played out this year. Arsenal play for the draw against the top teams and leave themselves open to goals. Delighted they lost, I hate Wenger and this new negative style of play he's developed.

 

[alb]

I've seen Owen miss a few in his Liverpool days....and for England......no English player worse than Beckham though (Mr. choke!), although I heard he was good years ago. I've only been watching since WC 2002 though.
Another boring game overall but I will take the late goal in a 1-0 win. There may have been 10 minutes that I didn't have to force myself to stay awake. Guerilla's description was more exciting than the play on the field. I can't figure out what all the hype is about soccer. It's only the most popular worldwide because it is the cheapest to play. Equipment = 1 ball....and you can have many players.
I have to admit though that certain players like Ronaldinho (simply awesome) and Zidane bring their own brand of excitement to the game.

 

[Soko]

Its not going to be exciting when teams like Arsenal come to the realisation that they are not good enough any more to beat Liverpool away and just play for the draw. Henry was dreaming of Barcelona and the rest of the them stayed behind the ball. If Fowler and Morientes weren't so shit they would have won by 3/4.

 

[Guerilla_Ninja]

well, if any side was deserving... lehman played on his head. 87th minute - my draw money was already looking at this evenings basketball ; )

 

[nyy1b23]

Good call alb. I was already playing the 2'un, but I added a 2 unit play on Liverpool after seeing your write up.