Sport Place

March 14th sees the biggest game of the domestic season so far with a high noon showdown between Manchester United and Liverpool. The two most successful clubs in English history meet at Old Trafford, with Benitez men focused on getting the win that would bring them back into the title race. Football spread bettors will also take note that Liverpool have not won at Old Trafford since 2004 when a Danny Murphy penalty was enough to seal victory for the Anfield outfit.

Football punters will also take note that when Liverpool has won at the home of their biggest rivals it has been in most cases by just the one goal. Their last three wins at United have been by a goal to nil with Murphy grabbing the winner on each occasion. Murphy is of course now long gone and it will be up to Torres and Gerrard to try and inspire Benitez’s men to a rare double over United, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2001-02. Liverpool will take heart from their win over United back in September, but Rafa’s men will have to do something about scoring at Old Trafford, they haven’t done that since a John O’Shea own goal back in September 2004 in a 2-1 defeat.

Football bettors will note that that result started a sequence of four consecutive victories for United against Liverpool at Old Trafford, with other results going 1-0, 2-0, and 3-0. A win on Saturday will surely tie up an 18th title for United, which would level Liverpool’s domestic record.

Ferguson’s men have been in fantastic form domestically conceding just two goals in the league since 8th November, winning fourteen out of their last sixteen games, a run that has left them seven points clear of their nearest rivals with a game in hand. Football punters will also take note that they have smashed in fourteen goals in their last five league games with goals coming from all areas of the pitch. Berbatov, Tevez, Rooney, Ronaldo, Scholes, and Giggs, have all been on the scoresheet in recent weeks. United have also put eight past their great rivals in their last four meetings at Old Trafford. Add to that the fact that United have lost just one of their last nine league meetings with Liverpool, albeit the last one, spread bettors will surely be looking towards a home win on Saturday. Stranger things have happened though and with Liverpool desperate to hold onto their domestic record of 18 titles, they will be going all out for the win.

With both Manchester United and Barcelona clinching their domestic titles with a week to spare, all eyes can now focus on the Champions League final in Rome. Both managers have the luxury of being able to rest their team in preparation for the final on May 27th and as the Stadio Olimpico prepares to host what is set to be a classic, there is plenty for spread bettors to get excited about. Barca are eyeing a third European title whilst United aim for their fourth and their second in as many years. Ryan Giggs has described the game as ‘50-50’ but the Sporting Index traders make the Catalan giants slight favourites on the outright index spread at 87-88.5pts (100pts for winner, 75pts for runner-up), whilst United are at 86.5-88pts. Maybe significantly for spread bettors, Barca has been drawn as the home team so United will wear their all-white strip.  Buyers of United’s spread may remember it is exactly 18 years since they beat Barcelona 2-1 in the European Cup-Winners’ Cup – wearing identical outfits.

Spread bettors looking to get involved in the total goals market should be aware that in the last nine finals there have been 25 goals, averaging almost three goals a game. Since 2000 there has only been one occasion where the final has been scoreless, in 2003 when AC Milan drew 0-0 with Juventus. Supremacy spread buyers and sellers will note that four of the nine previous finals have been settled by penalties and furthermore the last two finals in Rome have ended 1-1, both being decided 4-2 on penalties. This may open up opportunities for a worthwhile in-play spread bet, especially if one team edges ahead in an otherwise tight game.

United and Barca have played each other six times since 1994, each recording one win and drawing the other four. Buyers of the total goals spread will be pleased that these meetings have averaged 3.5 goals per game, although this is probably tempered by knowledge of United’s defensive record – they’ve conceded just six goals in Europe this year. Barca have conceded 13 goals this campaign and buyers of their match win index spread will be concerned with the lack of defensive options Guardiola has for the final.

Sellers of the total bookings spread will be encouraged that United have only picked up six yellow cards in the knockout stages while buyers of Barcelona’s booking supremacy will be pleased that Barca have received 12 yellows in the same period plus a controversial red for Abidal against Chelsea. Another popular market is Sporting Index’s total goal minutes spread. Those buying total goal minutes for the final might like to know that the last four finals have accumulated 71, 216, 194 and a staggering 254, when Liverpool came back from the dead to triumph over AC Milan in 2005. The last three finals have produced eight goals and notably, half of those have been scored in the final quarter of the game.

The Beatles’ nest- Liverpool, is regarded as one of the top tourist spots around the globe. If you are planning to go on a splendid adventure to explore culture, then Liverpool should be on the top of your list.

Known as the United Kingdom’s Capital of Culture, Liverpool boasts of its many spots that define tradition and traces history. It features awe inspiring cultural attraction in almost every corner. Whether you are a traveler in search for a sense of inspiration, an adventurer in search of an enriching experience or a wanderer who just wants to see the world, Liverpool has the right spots and places for you.

Liverpool is home for much world class architecture consisting of about 2,500 buildings. Just like the famous Taj Mahal and the Pyramids of Giza, this city’s set of buildings and waterfront are acknowledged as one of the natural and cultural World Heritage Sites.

The said heritage site covers the waterfront from Albert Dock, running through The Pier up to the famous Stanley Dock, including a good number of historic commercial districts in the area. It stretches as far as the Rope Walks area and the cultural quarter where St. George’s Hall reigns as the major attraction.

However, one should note that the wonders of Liverpool should not be mistaken for the World Heritage Site alone for in and around this city, you will be surprised with the cultural wonders that await you.

Among the top visited sites in the city that combine art and religiosity are two cathedrals. Both Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral and its Metropolitan Cathedral have been known to be fine attractions for eyes hungry of internationally acclaimed architecture. These cathedrals and other places of worship depicts Liverpool’s acceptance for religious diversity which has always been present due to the comings and goings of migrants in its famous docks.

Aside from the cathedrals, Liverpool boasts of many fine cultural gems within the William Brown Street better known as the Cultural Quarter. The street houses The William Brown Library, Walker Art Gallery, and the World Museum Gallery. Together with the beautiful St, George’s Hall, these buildings are famous neo-classical edifices.

If you are in for a tour of Liverpool’s fine early beginnings, then take a walk in that area and find the World Museum Liverpool, Tate Liverpool, and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. For sure, you would find a splendid experience that will qualify as your latest cultural feat.

A visit to Liverpool is incomplete without dropping by at the Pier Head where the most striking and famous buildings are located: Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building.

If you are in for a more contemporary cultural quest, then you must consider spending a day or two at Liverpool’s The World of Glass. The place which offers countryside culture matched with a vibrant life at night and a pulsating set of sporting events is nestled between the cosmopolitan cities of Liverpool and Manchester.

Another must visit around Liverpool that offers its guests with a peek into history, and to that of the world of sports is Halton. The towns and villages of Runcorn, Hale, Widnes, Daresbury and Moore belong to this city’s must-venture-to list.