Reds masters of inconsistency

Reds masters of inconsistency

With many top teams in Europe and England struggling to produce their best form on a regular basis, TAB soccer players can look forward to some huge payouts this week where a number of teams regarded as banker bets could find themselves humbled.

By Mark Gleeson

The frustrating inconsistency in the footballing world this season is exemplified by Liverpool.

Just more than a week ago they were walking on clouds after handing Manchester United a record defeat. One week later they squandered a penalty and a myriad of other chances, in the process losing to relegation-haunted Bournemouth.

Tomorrow’s Champions League last-16 clash at Real Madrid sees Liverpool with their backs to the wall, having been hammered 5-2 in the first leg at Anfield. But there is every reason, given their ability, to believe that Liverpool might stage a comeback and win in Spain, even if not overhauling a considerable aggregate deficit.

It would certainly fit in with how this campaign has panned out for them - and for many other teams of similar ability.

Manchester City should have little trouble dispatching of RB Leipzig in the Champions League tonight and move a step closer to their elusive goal of a first ever success in Europe’s top club competition. But the pressure will begin to ratchet up from the next round onwards and we have seen them wilt under pressure in several immediate past seasons.

Expect them to be joined by Inter Milan and Napoli in the last eight, with the two Italian clubs to get the better of their respective opponents.

There are also key matches in the Championship over the next days where Burnley are runaway leaders, but the rest of the promotion battle has been blown wide open.

Burnley have stretched their lead at the top to 13 points after Nathan Tella scored twice in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of bottom team Wigan Athletic. Vincent Kompany’s side have not lost in 16 league games now.

Middlesbrough have moved to within four points of second-placed Sheffield United after a sixth win in seven matches while the Blades’ home defeat to Luton on Saturday must be a major concern. Their blip in form looks to be morphing into a full-blown choke, giving their rivals hope that a second-place finish in the standings, which offers an automatic promotion, is now fully up for grabs.

Sheffield United have a tricky trip to Sunderland tomorrow while Middlesbrough are at home to Stoke, who have won their past two outings.

Luton continue to sit prominently among the chasing pack after an impressive 10th away win this season. They are home tomorrow for the visit of Bristol City.