Soccer Betting: UEFA Champions League Semifinals Preview

UEFA Champions League Preview
It's Chelsea vs. Liverpool and Man U vs. Barcelona in the semifinals

April 18, 2008

By Craig Patterson
Bodog Nation Contributing Writer

It's been about a year since Jorge Valdano, a World Cup winner for Argentina in 1986 and one time sporting director of Real Madrid, eloquently likened the fare offered up from Chelsea and Liverpool in last season's UEFA Champions League Semifinal as shit on a stick. With the teams set for their third semifinal showdown in four years, should we be watching where we step?

Based on the now embarrassingly drawn out turmoil off the field at Liverpool, one could be forgiven in worrying about these distractions seeping into the squad. Yet, Rafa Benitez has so far been able to make this work for his team. First, there was the discovery that Liverpool's American owners had held a secret meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann about taking over the managerial duties at Anfield. Now, it's been four months and the dirty laundry keeps getting aired out at Anfield. This week, co-owner Tom Hicks characterized the reign of chief executive Rick Parry a "disaster." Credit goes to Liverpool as they have remained focused and fended off the unwanted advances of Everton for the comely fourth spot in the Premier League (and qualification for next year's Champions League).

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