What: Europa League Last 16
Who: Liverpool vs Braga
When: Thursday March 17, 2011, Time: 20:05 GMT
Where: Anfield Road, Liverpool, England

On Thursday Liverpool has to keep a positive attitude and put pressure on Braga from the start. The English team also has to keep a clean sheet because if Braga scores, Liverpool will need three goals to qualify.

The famous Liverpool fans might play a key role in this crucial game as Liverpool’s opponents tend to get intimidated by the atmosphere.

Facts and figures

The Reds have only lost twice at Anfield this season and have conceded just one goal in their last four Europa League games.

Liverpool have scored only nine goals in their eight games in the Europa league this season.

Dutch player Dirk Kuyt and Spanish Raul Meireles have scored 80 per cent of Liverpool’s home goals since Kenny Dalglish took charge of the team.

Braga enjoys a poor away record this season as they have only won three games away from home. They have also scored only 17 goals this season in their away games.

Tradition seems to favor the Reds as Sporting Braga has lost seven of their previous 11 games against English sides.

Braga’s top scorer in the league this season is Rodrigo Lima, who scored six goals for the Portuguese team.

Probable line-ups

Liverpool: Reina; Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Johnson; Maxi, Lucas, Meireles, Cole; Kuyt, Carroll.

Braga: Artur; Alberto Rodriguez, Kaka, Miguel Garcia, Silvio; Mossoro, Leandro Salino, Hugo Viana, Paulo Cesar; Lima, Alan.

Player to watch: Andy Carroll

The Braga defenders looked intimidated by Andy Carroll when he came on in the second half of the first leg. He won everything in the air and the Portuguese defenders didn’t really know how to deal with his aggressive play.

Andy Carroll feels comfortable with the ball at his feet and will definitely be a threat for the Portuguese team.

Prediction

I expect Liverpool to show their champion mentality and strength in this second leg. A home win by 2 goals looks like a good bet.

Recommended bets

Correct score: Liverpool 2-0 at odds of 5.50 on Bet365
Andy Carroll to score first at 5.25 on Victor Chandler

In Eredivisie Willem vs Ajax at laf time Ajax won with 0-1 but in the second hald they receive two goals and did not score any goal. Same situation in Ligue 1 where Nancy won the second half in the game with Le Havre.

In Bundesliga home team Arminia lead at half time with 2-1 in the game with Hamburger, but in the second half they receive another 3 goals. In Serie A we have another situation like this, were Cagliari lead at half time Lazio with 1-0, but Lazio in the second half score 4 goals.