It’s the Second Round for Champions League betting on Tuesday and Wednesday and, after the turmoil of the FA Cup 5th Round at the weekend, which saw Liverpool mauled by Championship underachievers Barnsley and Arsenal playing like they had lost the will to live, sports betting fans will be scratching their heads and wondering where we go from here.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the FA Cup is losing its stature, at least in the eyes of some managers, and lesser sides are being put forward to save key players for the more lucrative and higher stature Champions League matches, but does this go all the way to explain these poor performances?

In the case of Liverpool, we have to look at the recent collapse in their achievements and wonder if team morale can recover from the effects of management uncertainty and doubt over the future ownership of the club. Football betting enthusiasts will eye their meet with Serie ‘A’ leaders, Inter Milan at Anfield on Tuesday knowing it will certainly reveal the depths of their capacity to overcome deep troubles and, indeed, the security of tenure of manager, Raphael Benitez. It’s make or break time for Rafa.

That other lot from Milan, AC, square up to Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday and director, Umberto Gandini is under no illusions about Arsenal’s weak effort against Manchester United on Saturday. Wenger’s resting of Adebayor and Massini from his FA Cup team clearly indicate the real ambitions of Arsenal and Gandini knows his club could not have had a worse draw than the Gunners.

Alex Ferguson, manager of Arsenal’s weekend tormentors, rested Ronaldo, Giggs and Tevez on Saturday but sports betting buffs would hardly have known it. After his disappointing solo stint up front for England, Wayne Rooney, sole striker again, capitalised on quality feeds, and thus revealed the weaknesses in the national midfield. This team is rampant and all-conquering right now and Wednesday’s hosts, Lyon, will have to dig deep to have any hope of progression in this tournament.

Chelsea’s visit to Athens on Tuesday should be interesting. Ex-Newcastle and Portsmouth and now Olympiakos striker, Lomana Lualua, warns that the passion and sheer noise of the fans in their stadium is enough to put anyone off. Top of their table, Chelsea will be tough contenders though and, like Manchester United, have the advantage of playing their second legs on their home grounds.