Liverpool vs Arsenal preview-December 13

Liverpool vs Arsenal– December 13, 2009 (16.00 GMT kickoff)

Arsenal will seek to secure their first win at Anfield since October 2003 when they meet Liverpool in Sunday’s only Premier League fixture. Both the teams are way off the pace in the league, especially Liverpool, who are a whopping twelve points behind leaders Chelsea. Arsenal on the other hand are eight points behind Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but do have one game in hand.

Defeat for Liverpool would put a further dent into their already slim title aspirations, while a loss for the Gunners will again bring their title challenge into scrutiny. Loads of punters are unclear as to whom to put as favourites, but many people are putting their money on the Gunners despite their injury hit squad. The Gunners’ last trip to this stadium was an eight goal thriller in which Andrei Arshavin scored four times. The little Russian is again expected to start in the final third of the pitch in the absence of Robin Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner.

The Torres Factor:- What kind of role could El Nino play?

Torres was a substitute in Liverpool’s midweek Champions League clash against Fiorentina. The Spanish marksman is tipped to start against the Gunners and manager Rafa Benitez will be hoping that the striker can produce a moment of genius similar to the one he conjured against Manchester United.

Liverpool form- Are the Reds in red hot form?

Unfortunately they aren’t. Liverpool have won just two of their last eight league games, and failed to break down a solid Blackburn Rovers side last weekend.

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Romania vs France preview- WC 2010 qualifier

In a repeat of their clash at Euro 2008, France meet Romania in a WC 2010 qualifier on Saturday night in Constanta. Anything less than three points could see the axe fall on French coach Raymond Domenech, whose future will be decided by the French Football Federation bosses four days after the game.

Both Romania and France suffered shock defeats in their opening qualifiers. France were embarrassed by Austria, while Lithuania stunned Romania. Les Bleus recovered to beat Serbia, while Romania just about managed to scrape past lowly Faroe Islands 1-0.

Both the teams will welcome back key players from injury. Romania have skipper Cristian Chivu and Fiorentina’s Adrian Mutu back, while Domenech can once again call upon the experience of Patrick Vieira. The former Arsenal midfielder is expected to take back the captain’s armband from Thierry Henry, and his presence is important for Domenech, especially as the inform Lassana Diarra is injured. Vieira last played for France in February against Spain, and did not take part in Euro 2008, where France were unable to make it past the group stage.

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