Liverpool 3-0 Lille – Video Highlights

Liverpool started off strong and controlled the match as they won 3-0 on Thursday night.

Lucas would earn a penalty kick for the home side as he was tripped up while dribbling into the box. Steven Gerrard stepped up to take the penalty and converted in the 9th minute as Liverpool led 1-0.

It was now 1-1 on aggregate and Lille still very much alive. The difference would be two second half goals from Fernando Torres who scored in the 49th minute and 90th minute to seal the 3-0 victory.

It was a vintage Liverpool performance at Anfield as they controlled the match and Lille had few scoring chances. Torres once again showed his goal scoring ability that can rival anyone in the world.

The quarterfinal draw will be released on Friday.

Fulham 4-1 Juventus – Video Highlights

Juventus scored early but Fulham would storm back with four unanswered goals to advance to the quarterfinals.

It was a great start for Juventus as David Trezequet scored in the 2nd minute to give Juventus a 4-1 aggregate lead. Fulham would respond quickly as Zamora scored in the 10th minute and Zoltan Gera would score two goals in a row to make it tied at 4-4 on aggregate.

The first goal from Gera was a brilliant set of passing from Fulham that included Zamora, Davies, and then Gera who scored from close range. The second goal was a penalty from a handball that was a bit lucky for Fulham. While it clearly his Deco’s hand on the replays there didn’t appear to be any intent on the play.

Fulham took control for most of the match and played with a man advantage for about 60 minutes as Fabio Cannavaro was sent off for a foul on Gera. It came in the 27th minute as he fouled Gera making a run into the box who would have had a wide open chance for goal.

With the man advantage, Fulham had most of the possession and Juventus rarely was able to create chances. The final goal for Fulham would come from second half substitute Clint Dempsey who scored in the 82nd minute. He would hit a perfectly placed chip shot to the far corner just inside the post. It was the goal that put Fulham into the quarterfinals and another upset of one of the favorites.

Fulham continue to surprise in the Europa League and will learn their quarterfinal opponent on Friday.

Fulham v Juventus Preview

Fulham has a lot of work to do with a two goal deficit to overcome against Juventus. In the first leg, Juventus score three first half goals including the last in stoppage time that could be the difference. Fulham have been much better at home but will need a great performance to advance to the quarterfinals.

Juventus will be without several players for the match due to injuries and a suspension. Giorgio Chiellini, Martin Caceres, Claudio Marchisio, Gianluigi Buffon, Alex Manninger, Amauri and Michele Paolucci are out with injuries while Nicola Legrottaglie is out due to suspension.

The home side has several key players unavailable for the match including Danny Murphy and Jonathan Greening due to suspension. Andy Johnson, John Pantsil, David Elm and Bjorn Helge Riise are all unavaible due to injury. Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka are ineligible for the competition while Brede Hangeland is a doubt because of a chest injury.

Fulham will have many of their attacking players healthy including Damien Duff, Simon Davies, Clint Dempsey, and striker Bobby Zamora. They will need to play an attacking and aggressive style to score goals. Fulham typically plays a disciplined style that doesn’t produce a ton of goals but is very strong defensively. Fulham manager Roy Hogdson realizes the situation and will employ an attacking style for the match.

Juventus will not need to take chances and just needs to keep the match within one goal to advance. They will be led by veterans Alessandro Del Piero and Fabio Cannavaro. If Juventus can produce repeat their form from the first leg, then they should be on their way to the quarterfinals.

Fulham v Juventus Prediction

Fulham will win the match 2-1 but Juventus advances 3-4 on aggregate.

Watch Fulham v Juventus Online

You can watch Fulham v Juventus online and live for free on Free Live Sports TV at the link here.

Liverpool v Lille Preview

Lille won the first leg 1-0 and will now try to advance to the quarterfinals with the second leg in England. Liverpool, who are out of the EPL title race and in danger of not qualifying for the Champions League, will need a solid performance on Thursday if they want to keep their Europa League title hopes alive.

Liverpool’s inability to score goals on the road was evident in the first leg. The good sign for the club is they’ve been averaging over two goals a match at home in the Premier League. They will be without Maxi Rodriguez (ineligible), Martin Skrtel (foot injury), and Fabio Aurelio (thigh injury) for Thursday’s match. Lille are without Nicolas Plestan, Mathieu Debuchy, Gervinho, and Tulio De Melo.

The home side will need at least a 2-0 win to advance with their inability to score an away goal in the first leg. Lille can force extra time with a 0-1 loss or with any draw on Thursday. While Liverpool have had a disappointing season, they have generally been in good form at home. Also, while Europa League is not as prestigious as the Champions League, a deep run in the tournament would help salvage the season.

Fernando Torres will be the focus of Liverpool’s attack and scored two goals in Monday’s 4-1 win against Portsmouth. Lille won 1-0 on Sunday against Grenoble and is led by leading goalscorer Gervinho with five in the Europa League.

Liverpool will need to attack and Lille will likely play a defensive style. If the home side can get an early goal then it will be a long night for the visitors. If Lille can keep it scoreless with 20-30 minutes in the second half, then the crowd at Anfield will be restless and Liverpool would falter under the pressure. Either way, it should be an entertaining match between two of the stronger clubs left in the Europa League.

The winner will advance to the quarterfinals which starts in a few weeks. The draw will be released on Friday.

Liverpool v Lille Prediction

Liverpool will win the match 3-1 and advance 3-2 on aggregate.

Watch Liverpool v Lille Live Online

You can watch Liverpool v Lille online and live for free on Free Live Sports TV at the link here.

Bordeaux 2-1 Olympiacos – Video Highlights

Bordeaux took an early lead and held on for a 3-1 win on aggregate. The win puts them in the quartefinals and the second French side after Lyon beat Real Madrid last week.

The early goal for Bordeaux came in the 5th minute as Yoann Gourcuff. Olympiacos would level the match in the 65th minute as Konstantinos Mitroglou scored but thats as close as it would get. Marouane Chamakh put Bordeaux back in the lead and up 3-1 on aggregate with an 88th minute goal.

There was two red cards in the second half as Alou Diarra of Bordeaux received in the 68th minute and Matt Derbyshire of Olympiacos was sent off in the 60th minute.

Bordeaux will learn their quarterfinals opponent when the draw is released on Friday.

FC Barcelona 4-0 VfB Stuttgart – Video Highlights

Barcelona got an early goal from Lionel Messi and never looked back as they cruised to a 4-0 win on Wednesday.

Messi scored in the 13th minute followed by a Pedro goal in the 22nd minute to make it 2-0 by halftime. Messi scored again in the 60th minute and Bojan Krkic scored the final goal in the 89th minute.

The win was not very close as Barcelona showed their dominance and should remain the favorites to lift the trophy in May. Messi’s performance shows that he is definitely in the running for another Player Of The Year Award.

Liverpool v Lille – 20:05 GMT

Sporting Lison v Atletico Madrid – 20:05 GMT

Fulham v Juventus – 18:00 GMT

Anderlecht v Hamburg SV – 20:05 GMT