Thursday’s match in the Stadio Friuli is a meeting of two teams badly out of a form, looking for a spark to kick start what has hitherto been a disappointing season.

Liverpool make the trip to the north east corner of Italy, needing a win to guarantee their passage into the knock out stages of the Europa League, and Marathon Bet price them at evens (2.00) to claim all three points, while Udinese can be backed at 29/10 (3.90) and the draw is offered at 27/10 (3.70).

Currently languishing in midtable obscurity, Champions League qualification seems a long way off for Liverpool, while Udinese have perhaps been even more of a letdown, struggling badly this season after finishing third in the previous campaign.

Their home stadium was an absolute fortress last season, yet in their last Europa League match at the Stadio Friuli they were beaten 3-2 by Young Boys.

Indeed, conceding goals has been Udinese’s overwhelming problem in recent matches, with the side failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 10 games. Liverpool, therefore, will fancy their chances of scoring tonight, and the price of 23/25 (1.92) for them to score over 1.5 goals looks tempting.

This bet has paid on his three of the Reds’ five Europa League group games this season, while Udinese have conceded at least twice in each of their last six matches.

For a value bet try backing over 3.5 goals to be scored at 11/5 (3.20) with this bet paying out in four of Udinese’s last six games in all competitions.

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Phil Kitromilides is a sports broadcaster working on radio and TV in London and Madrid. You can also follow Phil on Twitter.