The Champions League Heats Up with Two Potentially Cracking Games

Rafa's Reds take on the pride of Italia, in a match that could well seal his future as Internazionale travel to Anfield to take on a Liverpool side that has under-achieved all year.

Liverpool has had their hand over the self-destruct button for weeks on end, and with an injury-time loss to lowly Barnsley, they seemingly have pressed it for all it's worth. Rafael Benitez has hit back at critics asking them "What more do you want", but deep down he must know that he is slowly losing control at Anfield. The season started brightly with hope high at the Kop, but even with the high-quality players they possess Liverpool have struggled far more than even they ever would have expected. They face a season defining game against the Champions of Italy, an Inter side that has dominated their domestic league for so long but has under-achieved more than any other in Europe. Fernando Torres will make his return to lead a toothless attack that created many but failed to finish only four days earlier, and inspirational Captain Steven Gerrard will start in the centre after being a substitute on the weekend.

Internazionale are proving once again that they are the best side in Italy, but the debate rages on if they are good enough to showcase that very same skill on the European stage. They prepared themselves for this vital clash with an easy 2-0 win over Livorno and the stage is set for Inter to announce themselves as a serious threat once again. Striker Julio Cruz has stated that they have learnt from their mistakes of the past and are ready to stamp their authority on the competition and having not lifted the European Cup since 1965, the fire will be burning brightly in all of the Nerazzurri's players. Inter have only lost the once this season, mainly because of the effective attacking partnership formed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz, combining for a total of 34 goals between them and the typical Italian defence which has given up two or more goals on only six occasions.

This will be a last ditch effort for Liverpool to grasp anything from this season, but Inter Milan are in red-hot form with everything to prove. I would take the Italians at the odds of $2.86 available at PartyBets

The remaining value match is one that everyone likes to see, the young dogs up against the old guard, energy and youthful exuberance taking on experience and class, as Arsenal take on AC Milan at home in the Emirates Stadium

Arsenal were dealt a hefty blow on the weekend as Manchester United destroyed them at Old Trafford, but they find themselves with an immediate opportunity to respond to their critics when they take on the reigning European Champions. The contrast between the clubs is huge with Arsenal only fielding two players over the age of 30, with the complete opposite at the San Siro, with only Kaka', Andrea Pirlo, Pato and Poloschi under the age of thirty. Arsenal will welcome back top scorer Emmanuel Adebayor who has had a breakout year, scoring over twenty goals and repaying Arsene Wengers faith in him.

The Rossoneri have had a woeful domestic season compared to recent years, and with star forward Ronaldo going down with a career-threatening knee injury many predict that they will fail in their quest to win back-to-back Champions League Trophy's. If they are to mount a sizeable challenge it will come from midfield, where Milan boast strength greater than any Arsenal has faced so far. They are perfectly placed to deny the Gunners the time and space they so desperately need to maintain their passing game. The attacking threat will mostly come down to either the electric Alexandre Pato, youthful Alberto Paloschi, with Filippo Inzaghi offering experience as a lone striker, while Alberto Gilardino has struggled to fill the massive shoes that many predicted for him. .

This should be an cracking game, but I see AC Milan coming with a defensive mindset with their aim to leave Emirates with a draw and beat them at the San Siro. This said, with injury struggles and form issues at Arsenal, AC Milan could pick up a surprise result. I would take the $3.25 available for the Italians.

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