[luddite71]

Every time i listen to a match preview for Marseille v Liverpool i hear that Liverpool "must win".

Assuming Porto lose (very unlikely i know but it could happen), and Liverpool draw in Marseille, all the top 3 teams are on 8 points.

Liverpool have a better head to head than Porto
Porto have a better head to head than Marseille
And Marseille (assuming it is a draw) would have a better head to head than Liverpool.

Taking the results into account of matches concerning those 3, Liverpool would have the best goal diff.

Am i missing something??

[Computer Guy]

Marseille winning @ Liverpool is the deciding factor.

[Computer Guy]

If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the group
matches, the following criteria are applied to determine the rankings:
a) higher number of points obtained in the group matches played among the
teams in question;
b) superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams
in question;
c) higher number of goals scored away from home in the group matches
played among the teams in question;
d) superior goal difference from all group matches played;
e) higher number of goals scored;
f) higher number of coefficient points accumulated by the club in question,
as well as its association, over the previous five seasons (see paragraph
8.02).

[ONEDUNME]

If they all finish level Liverpool go through

[ONEDUNME]

b) superior goal difference from the group matches played among the teams
in question;



Currrent goal diff

Porto -1
Marseille 1
Liverpool 9

Taking out the Besiktas results so far would leave them

Porto -2
Marseille 2
Liverpool 2

Assuming Marseille and Liverpool draw they would still be on plus two. Obvously a defeat for Porto would make theirs even worse than -2 meaning they would be out.

[all_funkt_up]

Yeah but the lad himself said : Assuming Porto lose (very unlikely i know but it could happen) which to me says you cant rely on it. We win, we're through.

Cant be doing with going through a dozen different eventualities and neither can Rafa. We need to win. Going into a game with the attitude of "a draw's ok" is very dangerous indeed - just ask Steve McLaren.

Celtic were let off the hook tonight, I dont want to be relying on anyone doing us favours.

[ONEDUNME]

According to the radio and papers today Strachan was going for the win too. Just goes to show what a load of bollocks they spin to the press.

What they say and what they end up doing are not always the same thing.

I agree that going out to play for a draw can be dangerous but so can going gung ho for the win.

Time of first goal after 37 (or whatever it is) mins looks a good bet for me for the Liverpool game as nobody will want to conceed early with one eye on the other match.

[all_funkt_up]

The 0-0 draw was odds on wasnt it. Most unusual.

[luddite71]

thanks chaps that's cleared it up.

Liverpool don't HAVE to win; but in all likelihood they'll probably need to.

Ever since Liverpool lost to marseille the media has been saying they needed 3 wins.

I'd expect better from sources such as Sky sports etc.

Marseille have been great at European games and I real think Liverpool have a tough game a head of them… My money will be on Marseille to win - 2-1..