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When Birmingham host Liverpool at St. Andrews today, they will be in an unusual position, looking down at 13th placed Liverpool from their higher perch in sixth position.

With a new crop of transfer talent such as Alexandre Hleb, Birmingham will hope to erase the disappointment of the 2-2 draw with 10-man Bolton.

Birmingham has become an organised team under Alex McLeish and look set to frustrate Liverpool. The reds have not been that spectacular this season and struggled to beat West Brom 1-0 in their last match but it is hoped that they will return to winning ways. Liverpool’s win over West Brom came about courtesy the goal from Fernando Torres, who was rested for Spain’s 1-4 loss to Argentina on Tuesday so he should be up for the match.

Liverpool will be without striker Dirk Kuyt who sustained a shoulder injury and would be out of action for about a month. That and the departure of Javier Mascherano will put a lot of pressure on Steven Gerrard and recovering Torres.

Joe Cole will also not be available as he would be sitting out the third of the 3-match ban given him in his opening game with the Reds when he was awarded a red card against Arsenal.

The last four meetings between Birmingham and Liverpool all ended in draws. However, with Gerrard and Torres as well as the likes of Danny Agger and Glen Johnson at the back, Liverpool will hope to win this game and move up the league table.

Serie A

Sampdoria will make it tough for Juventus

Juventus will be coming into today’s game fighting hard after a first day loss to Bari. The one-time giants hope to be in contention for the Serie A title this season and they have worked towards that by beefing up the team. In the last six years, both teams have met eight times but they were an equal match for each other with two wins each and four draws. Juventus is more likely to take the home advantage and win, especially as Sampdoria has a low percentage of away wins.

La Liga

Sevilla hope to maintain momentum

Deportivo are also going away from the Riazor and their hope is to get a victory – something they have not done in the last six games away from home- the worst for the club in the last 38 years. They have been studying the playing tactics of Sevilla and they hope to get the upper hand on this team. But Sevilla is second in the La Liga with one win and they will be seeking a home win against ninth-placed Deportivo. And their chances look good, having won Levante 4-1 in their opener.

Ligue 1

Marseille seek to bounce back against Monaco

After the loss of coupe De France in 3-1 defeat to Lens, Olympique Marseille (OM) would be seeking a win over Monaco as a consolation. At left back, is Taye Taiwo who is a favourite in Olympique because of his powerful shots. The left back who was earlier rumoured to be leaving France for England before the season began, is hoping to win more with his club this season. They hope to improve on their sluggish form before the start of the Champions league season. On the other side of the divide is Nigerian youngster, Lukman Haruna, a midfielder who represented his country at the World Cup and is seen as the future of the Super Eagles, would be seeking to help his club to victory. Haruna should make a first league start after a bout of injury.

He has to be able to get past Taiwo, a prolific defender who would be at the helm of defence, Taiwo has already scored two goals in four matches making him the highest goal scorer in his club. Marseille would however be coming into this game with a win and it should be a motivation for them to win more. On the other hand, Monaco began the league season better with one win and three draws. That is however not to say that Monaco will find it easy; it is sure to be a tough game. Currently in 10th place, Marseille have four points while Monaco are seventh with six points. The defending champions will be seeking to close that gap and with Taye Taiwo scoring every other game, it is a distinct possibility that Marseille may just come out victorious.