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Liverpool vs. Sporting Braga: UEFA Europa League knockout round – PreviewKenny Dalglish’s Liverpool take on Sporting Braga in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 16 fixture at Anfield.The first leg resulted in a 1-0 win for the Portuguese side courtesy an Alan Osorio da http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 and the Reds will be looking not to concede an away goal in the process.LiverpoolThe hosts will be looking to turn around a rather poor 2010-11 season and qualify for the quarterfinal of the competition. The UEFA Europa League is the only piece of silverware Liverpool can possibly win in the season as they are well out of the Premier League title race and currently sit in sixth place with 42 points.The Reds topped their Group K with ten points and conceded their first defeat in the competition by Sporting Braga in the first leg in Braga recently. Liverpool have won two of their last five matches in all competitions.Sporting BragaThe Portuguese club have had a struggling season thus far after giving an impressive second placed finish in the previous season in the Portuguese League. The Archbishops sit in sixth place in the League with 31 points.Sporting Braga were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League after they finished third in Group H behind Shakhtar Donetsk and Arsenal. The Braga club has won three of the last five games in all competitions.Team NewsLiverpoolLiverpool http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Joe-Cole-c18694 is expected to retain his place on the left side of midfield whereas Gerrard’s exclusion will mean Maxi Rodriguez will start the match.Sporting BragaAndre Monteiro is expected to miss the clash through injury. Rodrigo Lima will start as the lone striker upfront with support from the wings from Alan and Paulo Cesar. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hugo-Viana-c16425 will play the role of the second striker.Players to watchAndy CarrollThe former Newcastle striker is expected to make his first start for the Merseyside club and the stage is set for him to score his first goal for the club and lead them to the quarterfinal of the competition. The club’s record signing will play for the second time in front of the Kop after making his debut against Manchester United at Anfield in a 3-1 win.Rodrigo LimaThe Brazilian has scored 11 goals in the season for the Archbishops, five of which have come in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. The visiting fans will be hoping Lima scores in the second leg and helps Braga secure a place in the last eight.PredictionLiverpool have been brilliant at home in the current season in big games. They beat Manchester United and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 at home in the Premier League. The Portuguese side do not have a very good away record and a win is highly unlikely for them. Liverpool are expected to win this one 3-0.
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