Liverpool

Liverpool V Wigan

Liverpool Preview: Liverpool’s poor run of form in the Premier League continued midweek, as they suffered a late collapse to lose away at QPR. The Reds have now won just one of their last six Premier League matches, which has started to raise questions about both their quality and their commitment. You delve deeper into their form and it makes for some worse reading, because four of their last five matches have been defeats. That is twelve dropped points in the race to try and get into the top five, which is now looking like a bit of an unrealistic target. Boss Kenny Dalglish must be sensing the frustration around Anfield, with under performing forwards, and throwing points away as they did at Loftus Road in the week, just makes the situation worse.

It is not as if Anfield has been any kind of great sanctuary for them this season, winning five, drawing eight and losing one. The inability through forward power to turn those one pointers into three pointers has really halted their progress Liverpool’s defence is still tight, and his been at Anfield all season, for for such a big club struggling at a rate of scoring just an average of 1.28 goals per game at home, isn’t good enough. Luis Suarez has one goal in five league games, Dirk Kuyt has one in six, and that is the extent of the contribution from their forwards in the Premier League lately.

But surely Liverpool will get a chance to fill their boots in this fixture. They broke a three match win-less streak in the Premier League with a 3-0 win over Everton recently (a hat-trick from Steven Gerrard) and against Wigan, Liverpool can have no excuses. Things aren’t always that cut and dry with this Liverpool, as they could only manage a 0-0 draw away at Wigan earlier in the season. The Reds defence, combined with Wigan’s limited goalscoring options, should give the home side enough of a platform to take a routine three points here.

Wigan Preview: Another great escape for Roberto Martinez and Wigan is still on the cards, after they have shown some resilience lately. They wasted a hat-full of chances to beat West Brom at home in their last match, and could only end up with a 1-1 draw. That was their second consecutive league win, their fourth in their last six matches. So important points are being scraped together, and Wigan have actually only lost one of their last six in the Premier League. Goalscoring is a major problem with them, they have managed a league low total of just 25 this season. If Wigan are going to survive, points on the road are going to be crucial.

They have earned more points on the road this season in fact, than at home. Wigan have won three, drawn three and lost eight on the road this season, scoring thirteen at an average of just 0.93 per match, and conceding over two goals per game on their travels. In their recent away from, Wigan have just one win in their last six, but are undefeated in their last two away games. Wigan do have the capacity to surprise, as they have held Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool to draws this season, but of that has come at home. They need to fight, but the Liverpool defence is going to be hard for the Latics to break down, but Wigan haven’t lost to Liverpool in their last four meetings.

Odds: Liverpool 3/10, Draw 9/2, Wigan 10/1 at BetFair

Form (most recent result last): Liverpool LLLWL, Wigan WDLDD

Stat Attack:

• Wigan have drawn three and won one of their last four meetings against Liverpool
• The Latics have won just one of their last fourteen Premier League matches
• Liverpool have the second worst shots to goals scored conversion rate this season, with only Wigan worse than them.
• Liverpool have picked up just eight points in 2012, only Wigan and Wolves have earned fewer

Recommended Bet: Well, neither teams have explosive forward power, but you naturally have to lean towards Liverpool to get the job done here. Therefore, it could be a battling start from Wigan, but Liverpool’s class should win out. Therefore a Draw/Liverpool Half Time/Full Time bet at 7/2 with BetFair looks a decent shout.

QPR V Liverpool

QPR Preview: Well, Mark Hughes will of course keep on fighting, but Rangers are falling deeper and deeper into trouble near the foot of the table. Heading into the midweek matches, QPR, Wigan and Wolves are all sitting on 22 points, and of course, games left in the season are starting to run out as we head into the final stretch. QPR have just one win in their sixteen league matches now, and with four defeats in their last five, it is hard to see how they are going to stop the slide and pull themselves clear. What may just save them at the end of the day, is the extra bit of quality they have up front to try scraping those vital winning goals. They have Djibril Cisse, Bobby Zamora and top scorer Heider Helguson in their ranks, but they just can’t cover up the holes at the back. QPR though do have something else working for them, they have the best defensive record out of the five times involved in the relegation battle, and they will need it if they are going to stand up to the visit of Liverpool.

QPR’s home form at Loftus Road this season has been pretty woeful. They have won just two matches in front of their home fans, drawing five and losing seven on top of that. They are without a win in three matches now at home, and are on a streak of conceding a goal in each of their last nine home matches in the Premier League. QPR average exactly one goal per game at home in the league, and on average they concede 1.5 goals per game, so not terrible. However it is just down to  narrow margins at the end of the day, and QPR have lost by a lot of one goal margins, and it has been enough to get them into serious trouble. They have been wasteful of a lot of good positions this season, dropping thirteen points from winning positions at home.

Liverpool Preview: No sooner had Liverpool booked their place in the semi final of the FA Cup on Sunday, with a win over Stoke, that Luis Suarez said that he would be interested in a new contract keeping him at Anfield longer. The Reds secured a 1-0 win over QPR earlier in the season at Anfield, with Suarez getting the goal, so he’ll be worth looking at in the goalscorer markets. Liverpool ended a run of three straight league defeats with a 3-0 Merseyside derby win over Everton in their last match, thanks to a hat-trick from Steven Gerrard. Liverpool haven’t been great on the road since the turn of the year, winning just one of five matches away from Anfield in the league. That was away at Wolves, and the other four matches in that run have been defeats.

The lack of goals this season has stopped them from really pushing on, because unlike any of the other top clubs, they just haven’t had anyone contributing heavily to build the rest of the team around. There has not been a heavy forward contribution from Liverpool’s forwards. In those four away defeats in their last five, they have only managed two goals, so you can see the problem for the Reds. However, they are a pretty tight unit, and very hard to break down most of the time. You would expect them just to edge the quality in this match, and their decent defence should put them in good standing. Liverpool’s away record stands at six wins, one draw and seven losses, again, four of those losses coming in the last five. A good win would keep them on pace to challenge for a top six finish.

Odds: Liverpool 5/6, Draw 12/5, QPR 4/1 at Paddy Power

Form (Most recent result last): QPR LLLDL, Liverpool DLLLW

Stat Attack

• QPR have won just one of their last eleven league matches against the Reds
• QPR have dropped the most points from winning positions this season, most of them at home
• Liverpool’s Stewart Downing has the third highest amount of shots on goal without scoring this season in all of the Premier League
• QPR are tied with Bolton for the most red cards this season (5)

Recommended Bet: This may not be a game which will set the crowd alight, and QPR are quite scrappy and it would be a familiar pattern if they score first and then throw the match away. So it could be worth a little QPR/Liverpool Half Time/Full Time bet for 28/1 at SportingBet.

While Liverpool’s form in the Premier League has produced only two wins in their last eight, you really can’t argue with their cup form this season. They beat Chelsea and Manchester City en route to winning the Carling Cup this season, and they look a strong bet to make it a cup double at Wembley too. They actually beat Stoke on the way to the Carling Cup final. Liverpool also beat Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup this season. However, consistency is not a word you would use to describe Liverpool this season, and they have drawn eight of their fourteen Premier League fixtures at Anfield this season, including the occasion when Stoke visited back in mid January. Steven Gerrard was the hero of the day in the Merseyside derby on Tuesday night, as the captain popped up with a hat-trick to beat the Toffees.

Liverpool should get Craig Bellamy into the line up for Sunday. All in all this should be a pretty tight game really, but history is totally on Liverpool’s side in this match, because Stoke have not won a match at Anfield for over fifty years. To find the last time that Stoke did win at Anfield, you would have to go all the way back to 1959. This will be the fourth time that these two sides have met this season, and the honours are totally even, with Stoke winning at home in the Premier League, before the draw at Anfield, and then there was that win for Liverpool in the Carling Cup. So really a tie which could go either way, because Liverpool have not been totally convincing at home, with one win, two draws and one defeat in their last three. All of their FA Cup matches this season have been at home too, and the Reds will go as favourites.

 Last season’s FA Cup losing finalists Stoke City are trying to at least emulate last season’s success in the tournament However, they know that the Reds are difficult to break down, and Stoke will need to raise their game a little bit if they are to snatch, what does appear to be an unlikely win. Not only is history against Stoke in this fixture, their away form has not been too peachy this season, with just four wins on the road. The big problem for Stoke on the road, and in general, is lack of goals. They have managed nine away from home in the Premier League this season, and have conceded twenty five. Not a great record at all, and with just 27 goals in total for the league season, they are one of the lowest scoring teams in the Premier League (only Wigan have scored less with 24). Stoke’s last match was a resilient performance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the league, where the dismissal of Ricardo Fuller put them at a disadvantage for a long spell. Fuller will miss the game against Liverpool because of that ban, but Peter Crouch will line up from the start to face his old club. A tough draw for Stoke, but Stoke, when they play to potential, have that bit of grit to pull through tough matches like this. We just haven’t seen enough of it this season.

Odds: Liverpool 4/9, Draw 10/3, Stoke 13/2 at Paddy Power

Stat Attack

• Liverpool have won all previous FA Cup ties against Stoke between 1900 and 1988
• Liverpool hold a 63-28 head to head record against Stoke
• Stoke have kept 6 clean sheets out of their last 8 FA Cup matches
• However, Stoke have never kept a clean sheet in an FA Cup quarter final

Recommended Bet: Liverpool are expected to have this one in the bag, because Stoke just haven’t been quite as strong as they were last season. Liverpool are strong enough at home to deal with this, even if they have struggled to turn one point into three. A draw is a very viable option, therefore a nice little flutter on a Stoke +1 Asian Handicap fetches 6/5 at Bet Victor.

Liverpool v Everton

Liverpool Preview: The Reds are in a bad slump of form at the moment, and as the season wears on, it becomes more and more evident that they don’t have enough fire-power going forward. They failed to take home advantage against Tottenham recently, which ended up in a draw. They outplayed Arsenal and couldn’t get a second goal, which cost them three points. Then, on Saturday they again misfired as they went down 1-0 at a hard working Sunderland. It really is getting to the point where two goals against the Reds is pretty much going to secure a comfortable victory. It is not that Liverpool play badly, they have put in some great performances, but there is a lack up front, which Luis Suarez can’t cover up all on his own. So now on the back of three straight Premier League losses, which has scuppered plans for an assault on a Champions League place, Liverpool host an in form Everton in the Merseyside derby. Surely a Merseyside derby should get them a bit more fired up?

If they could just start finishing the chances they create there really wouldn’t be too much wrong with Liverpool. But Craig Bellamy and Luis Suarez have been the most productive for Liverpool this season with just six goals each. Not enough by a long mile. So while Liverpool are generally a pretty solid defensive side, they aren’t covering up their mistakes at the back when going forward at the moment. Still, Liverpool will still edge this one as favourites, because they have only lost one game at home this season. However, alongside that there have been eight draws and only four wins, so that is the reason why they aren’t fighting for Europe. There have been two draws and a loss in their last three Anfield matches, and defeat against their neighbours Everton would really frustrate the Kop even more. Liverpool are averaging just 1.15 goals per game at home this season and they are there for the taking. It is this disappointing home form, the not taking chances which is the Liverpool frustration factor.

Everton Preview: In contrast to Liverpool, Everton are in great shape at the moment, beating Tottenham on the weekend, and that has come on top of wins over Chelsea and Manchester City, and the Toffees are on an seven game unbeaten run in the Premier League. The extra pressure in this Merseyside derby, is that with a win, Everton can leap frog Liverpool by one point in the standings. That is a huge incentive for the visitors, who are playing well at the moment, and victory at Anfield would see Everton jump up into seventh spot in the league. It is true that Everton don’t score a lot of goals either and there isn’t much between the two teams in goals stats. Everton have scored 28, Liverpool 30. Everton have conceded 28, Liverpool 26. So it really all points to Tuesday’s match being a very close, cagey encounter.

The only slight difference at the moment is that Everton are finding match winners from somewhere, and it was Nikola Jelavic who popped up with the winner against Spurs on his first start. So he could well be worth looking out for in the Goalscorer markets. It has been another good season for Everton under David Moyes, who is touted as being a possible Chelsea manager in the summer, and the Toffees continue to punch above their weight. there is 2-0 home defeat against Liverpool to avenge in the premier League, and while Everton are going strongly, there hasn’t been a win on the road for them in four matches. Everton have drawn three and lost one of their last four away matches, and they average just one goal per game. Everton have a W4 D4 L5 away record for the season.

Match Odds
Liverpool 7/10, Draw 13/5, Everton 4/1 at Bet Victor 

Form: Liverpool WDLLL, Everton WDWDW

Stat Attack
Everton’s last three away matches have ended in a 1-1 draw.
Liverpool have had five 1-1 results at Anfield this season
Last season this fixture produced, yes, a draw (2-2).
Everton haven’t beaten Liverpool at Anfield since the 1999/2000 Premiership season

Recommended Bet
Several ways to go on this one, but it could just be worth a Winning Margin bet on Liverpool to win by 1 for 5/2 at Bet365. Hard to see the match being any further apart from that.

Sunderland v Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish’s men haven’t been far from the headlines one way or another this season, and after tasting the joys of Carling Cup final success against Cardiff, it was back down to earth with a bump as they lost at home against Arsenal in the Premier League. Liverpool conceded a late goal by Robin van Persie, in a match which they were in control of for most of the time. Again, like so many times this season, what has hurt them has been lack of finishing power and wastefulness in front of goal. Liverpool have only scored thirty league goals this season, which is on a par with the likes of Swansea, Villa and Wolves, but what has just kept Liverpool’s head above water, is their very good defence (the second best in the Premier League). Liverpool’s problems in front of goal is highlighted in their eight drawn home matches this season. Away from home in the Premier League this season, there has been six wins, six loses and a draw for Liverpool this season, and they have scored fifteen and conceded fifteen goals on their travels. So that highlights how hard they are to break down, but they go to Sunderland on the back of successive defeats against Manchester United and Arsenal so need a pick me up. Their only win in their last seven way away at Wolves. This has left the Reds trailing fourth place in the league by a massive ten points now, so Champions League looks unlikely for them next season. Looking at their away form, there has been three defeats in their last three matches. Is that form which Sunderland could expose? The Black Cats continue to have a mixed season, by they have been a much improved force under Martin O’Neill. They went on a stretch of five wins in six, but their good form has been halted with two defeats and a draw in their last three Premier League matches. Sunderland are a pretty tidy side at home and really don’t concede all that much. They earned themselves a 1-1 draw at Anfield on the first day of the season. Their downfall for most of the season has not been scoring enough, and that is why they stand with a W5 D4 L4 home record this season. Sunderland have won three of their last four home matches, and they should give Liverpool a big test. The Black Cats will be without Lee Catermole who was sent off after the final whistle of their derby match against Newcastle last time out.

Verdict: While Sunderland cause teams a lot of problems at home, Liverpool did play well in their last match against Arsenal. Probably one of their best matches of the season, but their lack of strike power hurt them again. There shouldn’t be many goals at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, as the defences could cancel each other out. But Liverpool would be happy to come away with a scrappy win and they are just favourites to take the three points.

Form: Sunderland WWLLD, Liverpool LWDLL

Key Stat: Liverpool have won four of their last five matches at Sunderland in the Premier League, and the Black Cats have only managed one win out of eleven against the Reds in recent times. Liverpool should just have the extra tough of quality throughout to take three points in this one. Remember, Liverpool have only drawn one away match this season, so there should be a result either way.

Odds: Liverpool Evens, Draw 12/5, Sunderland 14/5 at Bet365

Recommended Bet: Liverpool -0.75 Asian Handicap for 6/5 at Bet365 should provide some decent coverage on the Reds taking the win.

Just sixteen teams remain in this season’s FA Cup and with neither Manchester club still standing, an opportunity for someone different to lift the trophy has emerged in what is now a wide-open field – though it would take a brave punter to look beyond the obvious quarter of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham.

Some were saying the FA Cup simply doesn’t do romance any more. Well think again. While genuine giant-killings have been few and far between, the absence of the Premier League’s leading duo – Manchester City and Manchester United – is a massive turn up for the books in itself.

So who of the remaining sixteen will capitalise on their absence? Bookmakers are undecided, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all priced up as 7/2 co-favourites while Arsenal are also prominent in the better at 6/1.

Chelsea have been outright favourites ever since the draw for the third round, thanks in no small part to the draw favouring them and not their rivals. But their frantic league form, coupled with the fact their main rivals have been handed reasonable ties in the sixth round, means they no longer head the market.

The Blues, winners in 2010, have been drawn at home to Birmingham City – a tie they should win fairly comfortably one would imagine. However, Chris Hughton’s Brummie are thee in-form team down in the Championship, going their last ten unbeaten, while Andre Villas-Boas’ Chelsea extended their dismal run without a league win to four with a 2-0 loss at Everton last time out.

It could have been a whole lot worse for Chelsea. They could have drawn Martin O’Neill’s resurgent Sunderland away, which is precisely what Arsenal managed to do. The Gunners will be a demoralised bunch following Wednesday’s Champions League hammering in Milan, so Sunderland will feel revenge is definitely on the cards as these two square up for the second time in a week – Arsenal having won 2-1 at the Stadium of Light last Saturday courtesy of Thierry Henry’s last-gasp winner.

Liverpool and Tottenham have won this competition 15 times between them. Neither are expected to fall at the last-sixteen hurdle, not after the draw was kind to both. Tottenham head to League One Stevenage while Liverpool host Brighton of the Championship, conquerors of Newcastle in the previous round.

FA Cup romantics will be ecstatic to see a team from League Two still alive and kicking, with Crawley Town – fifth in League Two – the lowest ranked team left in the tournament. That might not be the case for too much longer though, as the Red Devils have been drawn against Premier League Stoke. They are at home though, while the Potters will only of had a few days to prepare having faced Valencia in the Europa League on Thursday.

Finals were once a regular occurrence for Everton, who have appeared in no fewer than thirteen – more recently in 2009, when narrowly losing out to Chelsea. With several new additions in the winter window, and with the team in buoyant following their recent scalps of Chelsea and Manchester City, David Moyes’ Toffees may finally fulfil their potential by capturing a first FA Cup for seventeen years.

You’d fancy Blackpool to be no match for Everton at Goodison Park, with Iain Holloway’s Tangerines more set on a return to the Premier League than a successful run in the cup.

The other two ties sees Bolton tackle Millwall at The Den and Norwich entertain Championship big-spenders Leicester, who at 3/1 appear outstanding value to spring a surprise at Carrow Road.

FIFTH ROUND TIES IN FULL

Saturday, 18 February 2012

Chelsea V Birmingham (12:30, LIVE on ESPN)

Everton V Blackpool

Millwall V Bolton

Norwich V Leicester

Sunderland V Arsenal (17:15, LIVE on ITV1)

Sunday, 19 February 2012

Crawley V Stoke (12:00, LIVE on ESPN)

Stevenage V Tottenham (14:00, LIVE on ITV1)

Liverpool V Brighton (16:00, LIVE on ESPN)

OUTRIGHT BETTING

Chelsea – 7/2 (Bet365)

Liverpool – 7/2 (Ladbrokes)

Tottenham – 7/2 (PaddyPower)

Arsenal – 6/1 (Coral)

Everton – 12/1 (SkyBet)

Sunderland – 16/1 (Coral)

Stoke – 18/1 (Bet365)

Norwich – 28/1 (Coral)

Bolton – 33/1 (WilliamHill)

100/1 Bar The Rest

Manchester United V Liverpool

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 11 February 2012 – 12:45 GMT

Venue: Old Trafford

Preview

The spotlight of the football world will fall on Old Trafford this weekend for what many believe is still the biggest, most high-profile encounter in English football. That’s right, Manchester United and Liverpool – the two most successful clubs in the history of the English game, with 37 top-flight titles between them – renew their fierce, age-old rivalry at the Theatre of Dreams in what has all the makings of a typically fiery contest in the north-west.

It almost goes without saying that the majority of the pre-match focus will be on Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, the controversial Uruguayan who was charged with racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra when the pair contested a 1-1 draw at Anfield on 15 October, 2011. Thus we can expect a volatile atmosphere in and around Old Trafford as the United faithful voice their ‘candid’ opinions of the South American, especially after Evra was jeered throughout last month’s FA Cup fourth-round clash on Merseyside.

Away from the controversial issues involving Suarez and Evra and if the team’s clash in the FA Cup last month is anything to go by, United are likely to exact their revenge at the weekend. Why? Because they were utterly dominate at Anfield, this in spite of losing the tie 2-1 courtesy of Dirk Kuyt’s late winner. They’re also in considerably better form, with three wins from their last four league games, plus morale will have rocketed after their stunning comeback away to Chelsea last weekend.

Liverpool, on the other hand, have really struggled of late, which is no surprise considering the amount of games they’ve contested recently. Cup scalps of both Man City and Man Utd are very impressive indeed, but it’s one win in five in the league for Kenny Dalglish’s weary side, after they were held to a goalless at home by Tottenham on Monday – the third occasion in their last five Premier League matches in which they have failed to even score. However the Reds have fared a lot better on their travels this season, with six of their ten league victories coming on the road, where they’ve beaten both Arsenal and Chelsea.

If Liverpool are crying out for some fresh impotence, an injection of energy perhaps, then the return of Luis Suarez couldn’t be any more timely. The 26-year-old has even been quoted as saying he will feed off of all the jeers, which is a frightening prospect considering he’s a handful when he isn’t fired up. It remains to be seen whether Kenny Dalglish’s unleashes his Jack in the Box from the outset, although his team’s lethargic showing in midweek would suggest he may.

You have to feel United will be running purely on adrenaline ahead of this clash, especially after their heroics at Chelsea last weekend. To come back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 was a remarkable achievement, a real morale booster for a team rapidly building up ahead of steam. Key figures have been missing, the likes of Nemana Vidic, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Nani, but that hasn’t stopped Sir Alex’s Red Devils from winning three of their last four league games, including each of the previous two at Old Trafford without conceding a goal.

Match Pointers

Head-to-Head

Last Meeting: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United (FA Cup); 28 January, 2012. A fairly tame affair by this fixture’s high standards was eventually won by Liverpool, who had Dirk Kuyt to thank for progress in the FA Cup. Daniel Agger had opened the scoring for the home side, but their lead was wiped out by Ji-Sung Park just before the half-time interval. However it was Kuyt who landed a telling blow late on for Kenny Dalglish’s men, slamming home a winner in the 88TH minute.

- Each of the last two Premier League meetings at Old Trafford were won by the home side, with United winning last season’s corresponding fixture 3-2 – Steven Gerrard struck twice for Liverpool, who were 2-0 down at the time, but Dimitar Berbatov was the hero for United as the Bulgarian struck a match-winning hat-trick.

- Since the 2004/05 season, Liverpool have beaten Manchester United once in seven Premier League visits to Old Trafford (W1 D0 L6).

- The pair contested a 1-1 draw at Anfield in their first league encounter of the season, a match remembered more for the unsavoury incident involving Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and Man Utd’s Patrice Evra than the goals scored by Steven Gerrard and Javier Hernandez.

Manchester United

- Last Sunday’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Chelsea leaves United trailing leaders Man City by two points going into this weekend’s mouthwatering contest, although victory would move them a point above Roberto Mancini’s side who are not in action until Sunday.

- Only Sunderland have taken more points over an eight-game period than United, who have registered 16 points from the 24 that went on offer (W5 D1 L2).

- United have won their previous two home Premier League games without conceding, in beating Bolton (3-0) and Stoke (2-0), with their record at home an impressive W9 D1 L2, scoring 35 goals whilst conceding 14.

Liverpool

- Last Monday’s goalless draw at home to Tottenham meant Liverpool remained in seventh in the league, four points behind Chelsea in fourth and those sought-after Champions League spots.

- Since the beginning of the year, Liverpool have only taken maximum points from one of their five Premier League matches (W1 D2 L2), with those two defeats coming away at Bolton (3-1) and Manchester City (3-0).

- Although they remain unbeaten at home in the league, Liverpool have actually won more times on their travels this season (6 compared with 4 back at Anfield; W6 D1 L5 away from home), and were emphatic 3-0 winners over Wolves in their latest away outing in the Premier League.

- Liverpool have kept three clean sheets in their last four league games, and boast one of the stronger away defences in the top-flight with only 13 conceded from 12 away games – only Chelsea and Man Utd have shipped fewer goals on their travels.

Betting

Prediction: Manchester United to WIN @ 910 (BetVictor)

With a raucous crowd and a volatile atmosphere, emotions could boil over at Old Trafford in what remains thee biggest game in English football. Supporters of both teams have been warned as to their conduct, but I can see that falling on deaf ears as kick-off approaches. This truly is unmissable, for so many reasons.

As far as the result goes, something tells me we’re in for a repeat of their FA Cup fourth-round encounter last month, only this time we’ll have the correct outcome. United were dominant from the word ‘Go’ at Anfield, bossing possession from start to finish and were in no way deserving of a 2-1 defeat. Luis Suarez is of course back for the visitors and although he will be a nuisance, his temperament has to be questioned. Other than the Uruguayan, I don’t see too many in this Liverpool team capable of causing a United rearguard which has kept six clean sheets at home this season too many problems.

Last week’s result at Chelsea was huge for United. The point was crucial, but even more so was the comeback. Every single player will be buzzing after those heroics, and that result will instil so much belief into the dressing room. With Wayne Rooney back to his inspired best, I genuinely feel United will be too strong for a Liverpool side who have tended to come good in the crunch games, against the best teams, but have played more games than most since the turn of the year and were tired and lethargic at home to Tottenham on Monday.

Value Bet: Wayne Rooney First Goalscorer @ 4/1 (Ladbrokes)

The United talisman was inspirational in his side’s stunning comeback at Chelsea last weekend, coolly tucking home two penalties. He was more than just a clinical penalty taker, he drove his team forward with his powerful, direct runs and he can once again be the inspiration for Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United as they look to maintain their impressive run at home to Liverpool, having won six of their last seven at Old Trafford versus their arch rivals.

Match Odds

Manchester United – 9/10 (BetVictor)

Draw – 13/5 (Bet365)

Liverpool – 7/2( StanJames)

Liverpool V Tottenham Hotspur

Date & Kick-Off: Monday, 6 February 2012 – 20:00 GMT

Venue: Anfield

Preview

After a weekend where all their rivals managed to pick up points of some form or another, Liverpool and Tottenham will be all too aware of the ramifications should they fail to collect any of their own at Anfield on Monday.

Impressive victories for Arsenal and Newcastle meant Liverpool dropped two places in the Barclay’s Premier League, without so much as kicking a ball. There was some good news, though – courtesy of a herculean effort from Manchester United, Chelsea were held to a 3-3 draw on Sunday meaning a win for the Reds here would see them move to within two-points of the Blues, whom occupy what would appear the one remaining Champions League berth for next season.

Unfortunately, though, Liverpool haven’t made a habit of winning at home this season. In fact, they’ve only won four of eleven at Anfield in the league and have drawn with the likes of Blackburn, Norwich, Sunderland and Swansea. But they are unbeaten there all season, in all competitions, too – and that does include recent scalps of Man City and Man Utd in the cups.

They’re a big game team, are Liverpool. Pit them against a side they should wipe the floor with and they invariably don’t; pit them against some of the finest this country has to offer and they’ll give you unrivalled value for money. Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd have all succumbed to the might of King Kenny and his charges at some point in the season, and they’ll be boosted by the return of Mr Controversial for the arrival of high-flyers Tottenham.

Uruguayan star Luis Suarez, who has not featured for the Reds since Boxing Day after serving a nine-match suspension for two separate incidents, has been included in the squad and, with Dalglish confirming the player has looked sharp in training, could be unleashed from the off. It will also be a rare chance for fans to see how Steven Gerrard, who is expected to start after sitting out Wednesday’s 3-0 league win at Wolves, links up with the man they call ‘El Pistolero’.

Whereas Liverpool welcome back crucial players for a crucial clash, Tottenham are set to be without several of their more influential figures for what is a must-win clash for them. William Gallas and Aaron Lennon are both ruled out while Rafael Van der Vaart, Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor are all doubtful. The lack of forward personnel could lead to on-loan Louis Saha being handed his début, thrown straight in at the deep end after joining on deadline day from Everton.

With Manchester City cruising past Fulham on Saturday, Spurs know anything less than three-points would leave them with a mountain to climb as far as the title is concerned. However, their record on the road should breed confidence throughout the remaining ranks: only the two Manchester clubs have accrued more points on their travels this season than the North Londoners, who have won six and lost just two of eleven away Premier League games thus far.

Match Pointers

Last League Meeting: Tottenham 4-0 Liverpool; 18 September, 2011. Nine-man Liverpool were well and truly put to the sword at White Hart Lane, midfielder Luka Modric kicking off the rout with a spectacular effort in a match Spurs dominated from start to finish. Jermaine Defoe also got on the scoresheet, as did Emanuel Adebayor who bagged two. Martin Skrtel and Charlie Adam were dismissed for Liverpool.

- Tottenham had failed to win on any of their previous sixteen Premier League visits to Liverpool (D5 L11) before a 2-0 triumph at Anfield on the final day of last season.

- Victory at Anfield on Monday would complete a league double for Tottenham over Liverpool, with the North Londoners having inflicted the same fate on the Reds last season with victory at both Anfield and White Hart Lane.

Liverpool

- Victory over Tottenham would see Liverpool (League Position: 7TH; Form: WLDLW) climb above Arsenal into sixth, a point behind Newcastle in fifth and two off Chelsea in fourth.

- Leaders Man City are the only other team to remain unbeaten at home in the Premier League this season, although Liverpool have drawn seven of eleven at Anfield (W4 D7 L0 / GF14 GA8).

- The Reds have won only two of their last seven league matches (W2 D3 L2).

- Liverpool have not conceded more than one goal at Anfield in the league all season, keeping a clean sheet in three of their last five.

Tottenham

- Only the two Manchester clubs have collected more points on their travels than Tottenham, who have registered 20 points from a possible 33 away from home (W6 D2 L3).

- Spurs have lost only one of their last nine in the league (W5 D3 L1), but have won just one of their previous four (W1 D1 L2) – including a 3-2 loss to Man City in their most recent away encounter.

- Tottenham have scored at least one goal in each of their last ten Premier League away games, keeping just two clean sheets during this run themselves.

- Gareth Bale, January’s Player of the Month, has three in his last two league appearances – including a sublime effort at Man City a fortnight ago.

Betting

Prediction: Draw @ 12/5 (Bet365)

Following Sunday’s pulsating affair at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Manchester United, expectations are sky-high regarding Monday Night Football’s live clash at Anfield between Champions League hopefuls Liverpool and title-chasing Tottenham. Will it live up to the billing? Probably not, although there is enough world-class talent on show to produce a spectacle. Will we even get that? I’m not so sure either.

The ingredients are certainly there for a riveting watch; Gerrard & Suarez combining forces to take on thee irrepressible duo of Modric and Bale. However both managers have the utmost respect for one another and their teams, so we could see a lot of special treatment as Dalglish and Redknapp seek to nullify each other’s strengths. Dalglish falls into this trap more so, as he’s naturally a more cautious, tactful manager than Redknapp, who genuinely believes his team are capable of breaching any defence, even one as resolute as Liverpool’s. So expect Spurs to dominate with the ball and the Reds to counter.

Separating the two isn’t easy. In fact, I’ve found it impossible, which is baffling really considering we aren’t short of a match-winner or two. This should be extremely tight, possibly even cagey, so the draw has obvious appeal. That said, neither manager will be chuffed with a share of the spoils.

Value Bet: Penalty to be awarded @ 10/3 (WilliamHill)

A penalty has been awarded in four of the pair’s last five league meetings, including in last season’s Anfield encounter – Croatian schemer Luka Modric converting the second of Tottenham’s two goals in a 2-0 success for the Londoners.

Match Odds

Liverpool – 23/20 (PaddyPower)

Draw – 12/5 (Bet365)

Tottenham – 13/5 (StanJames)

At the weekend it was the FA Cup, now the focus in England switches swiftly to the Barclay’s Premier League as various tussles across the entire division resurface on Tuesday (31 Jan) and Wednesday (1 Feb).

Straight to matters at the summit and after Manchester City’s dramatic late win over Tottenham Hotspur on 22 January, it would seem the Premier League trophy is staying in Manchester. That aforementioned result ensured Roberto Mancini’s Citizens remained three-points clear of neighbours United, leaving Spurs lagging eight-points off the pace of the leaders.

Premier League Title Betting with Bet365: Man City 2/5, Man Utd 9/4, Tottenham 20/1

It could be all change, though, depending on Tuesday’s results, with all three title protagonists involved in proceedings.

Tottenham (1/4 WilliamHill) are presented with a fabulous opportunity to get straight back to winning ways in the league with a home clash against Wigan (16/1 BetVictor). The Latics currently prop up the division in 20TH and are without a win in seven, shipping ten goals in their last three away PL matches combined, but were, however, 1-0 winners on their last visit to White Hart Lane, in August of 2010.

Manchester United (3/10 888Sport) have won seven of their eight Premier League tussles with Stoke City (12/1 PaddyPower), including all three in Manchester, so any chance of the Red Devils slipping up at Old Trafford would appear slim. But the Potters did hold Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield in their most recent Premier League away game, while it was they who were the dominant force when the two sides locked horns earlier in the season at the Brittania in a 1-1 draw back in September.

Meanwhile, Man City (20/23 Boylesports) take on David Moyes’ inconsistent Everton (15/4 BetVictor) at Goodison Park. It is, however, a fixture the Citizens came unstuck in last season, losing 2-1 despite dominating the opening 45 minutes and taking a deserved 1-0 lead into the interval. Revenge is on the cards, though – Everton have won only two of their last eight home PL games, scoring just six times in the process, whereas City are searching for their fourth straight league win and are firm favourites to do so having had the weekend off due to their early exit from the FA Cup.

The race for fourth hots up with Chelsea and Liverpool both in action on Tuesday, at Swansea and Wolves respectively, with Arsenal taking on Bolton at The Reebok 24 hours later.

Top-Four Finish Betting with WilliamHill: Chelsea 2/5, Arsenal 2/1, Liverpool 7/2

Chelsea (17/20 WilliamHill) are the current occupants of fourth and are five-points clear of their closest pursuer, Arsenal, while Liverpool are a point further back in seventh. The Blues are the most likely to come a cropper. Though, you feel – Swansea (4/1 SkyBet) have been beaten just once in eleven home Premier League games this season and will still be buoyed by their 3-2 victory over Arsenal in their last encounter at the Liberty Stadium.

Speaking of Arsenal (8/11 Ladbrokes), the Gunners won’t have it easy either. Arsene Wenger’s side were unconvincing in the FA Cup at the weekend, edging past Aston Villa at home, and must now go to a resurgent Bolton (9/2 StanJames), who beat Liverpool 3-1 last time out at The Reebok in the league, desperate to avoid a third consecutive away defeat. Moreover, The Reebok was where Arsenal’s world came crashing down around them last season, with a 2-1 loss confirming the end of their title bid last April.

As for Liverpool (3/4 WilliamHill), well they are very much expected to complete a routine win at Wolves (17/4 StanJames) – a fixture they cruised to a 3-0 success in last season. Kenny Dalglish’s side have lost their previous two away league games, at Bolton and Man City, but responded emphatically with quick-fire eliminations of Man City and Man Utd from the Carling Cup and FA Cup. Now the Reds are hotly tipped to dispatch of second from bottom Wolves, who are without a league win in eight and have suffered four defeats in their previous five matches at Molineux in all competitions.

Elsewhere…

Mark Hughes’ QPR (4/1 BetVictor) go to Aston Villa (17/20 WilliamHill) with both sides searching for back-to-back Premier League wins; a Newcastle (7/4 Bet365) side thumped 5-2 at Fulham last time out in the league pay relegation favourites Blackburn (13/8 StanJames) a visit at Ewood Park; the previously mentioned Fulham (10/11 WilliamHill) entertain Roy Hodgson’s inconsistent Baggies (15/4 bWin), while a cracking contest could be in store at the Stadium of Light as Martin O’Neill’s invigorated Black Cats (17/20 WilliamHill) host Paul Lambert’s high-flying Canaries (15/4 BetVictor).

Full list of Premier League fixtures for Tuesday (31 Jan) and Wednesday (1 Feb):

Swansea V Chelsea

Tottenham V Wigan

Wolves V Liverpool

Everton V Man City (LIVE on SKY SPORTS 2)

Manchester United V Stoke

Aston Villa V QPR

Blackburn V Newcastle

Bolton V Arsenal

Fulham V West Brom

Sunderland V Norwich (LIVE on SKY SPORTS 2)

Bolton V Liverpool

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 21 January 2012 – 17:30 GMT

Venue: The Reebok

Preview

Toothless Liverpool go to Bolton on Saturday knowing anything less than three points against the team who reside second from bottom in the Barclay’s Premier League would put another huge dent in their bid for European football next season.

Last week’s frustrating goalless draw at home to Stoke was the seventh occasion this season whereby the Reds had failed to locate the back of the opposing net, while it also left them five points adrift of Chelsea in fourth who would move eight points clear of Kenny Dalglish’s men with victory at Carrow Road over Norwich in the first of this weekend’s top flight encounters.

Whereas Liverpool are in the mix fighting for a Champions League berth, Bolton find themselves down at the other end battling to retain their Premier League status. A resounding 3-0 loss away to Manchester United seven days ago was their 15th of the campaign – having lost more games than anyone else – and left them languishing in the relegation zone, a point off safety in 19th.

Their horrific goal difference (-21) means only a win this weekend will suffice for Bolton if they’re to make a rare appearance outside of the bottom-three. It’s been over six years since the Trotters last beat Liverpool in the league, losing each of their previous eleven Premier League meetings with the Anfield outfit, while at home Owen Coyle’s side have registered a measly four points from the thirty that went on offer. That equates to one win in ten home games (W1 D1 L8).

Bad Omens

Not a lot points to a home win. Bolton are a huge price with BetVictor, who goes 11/2 on success for the hosts. Just one league win at The Reebok all season is just one of several reasons why their odds of victory are so handsome, with the Trotters unfortunately posting the worst home figures in the top flight with only four points taken from a possible thirty. They’ve also scored just eleven times at home, but yet contrived to concede a league-high 24.

Chelsea and Manchester United both notched five on visits to Bolton earlier in the term. You wouldn’t bank on Liverpool doing the same, mind. Even those lowly Trotters have plundered more goals than Kenny Dalglish’s expensively-assembled side, which should surmise perfectly the latest and current crisis on Anfield that is scoring. Defensively they’re arguably the most resolute around, with only leaders Man City conceding fewer, but only goals can win you games and goals are what Liverpool have found mighty hard to come by this season.

Fortunately for Liverpool, they’re up against the leakiest team around in Bolton, whose figures of 46 conceded in 21 top flight games simply cannot be bettered – or worsened, whichever way you prefer to look at it. Will that make a blind bit of difference though? After all, the Reds have fired blanks in three of their last four away Premier League games. Moreover, star man Luis Suarez remains suspended, while the only recognised and available striker left at the club can’t even make the team-sheet in his absence.

Match Pointers

- Liverpool are on a ten-match winning streak versus Bolton in the Premier League, winning on each of their previous four visits to The Reebok.

- Bolton’s last Premier League victory over the Reds was in September 2007, when goals from Ivan Campo and the late Gary Speed earned the Trotters a 2-0 home success.

- Jordan Henderson scored his first goal for Liverpool at Anfield in their 3-1 win over Bolton back in August., the side’s first league meeting of the season.

- Bolton, who sit second from bottom, have only won once at The Reebok in the Premier League this season (W1 D1 L8), with their 5-0 victory over Stoke on 6 November being their last win on home soil.

- Liverpool (W9 D8 L4) reside in 7TH but are now five points adrift of the Champions League places after winning only one of their last five Premier League matches.

- Despite being twelve positions worse off than Liverpool, lowly Bolton (25) have netted more times than the Reds (24), although the Trotters do have the worst defence in the top flight (46) whereas Liverpool boast the second strongest defensive figures with only 18 conceded in 21 games.

- Liverpool have won just one of their last four Premier League away games but have recorded more wins on their travels (5) than at home (4).

Betting

Prediction: Liverpool to WIN @ 4/6 with Ladbrokes

Although they have struggled on the road in recent weeks, Liverpool have preferred playing away from home because teams tend not to park the bus. Bolton certainly won’t do that – they can’t, that’s why. The Trotters simply do not do defending; 46 conceded is a league-high, which must surely benefit a Liverpool team who create chances with ease but make heavier weather at converting them than any other side in the Premier League – the Reds have a conversion rate of 9%, which is also a league-high.

In spite of their scoring difficulties, I can’t back against Liverpool. Bolton are dire at the best of times defensively but without their rock, with Gary Cahill now officially a Chelsea player, it is impossible not to fear the worse for a team who leak goals left, right and centre. The visitors should create eve more goalscoring opportunities than usual, which can only aid their chances against a Bolton side who have lost eight of ten at The Reebok in the league.

Value Bet: Andy Carroll to Score @ 6/4 with Ladbrokes

He failed to even make the starting line-up for last week’s goalless draw with Stoke at Anfield, but Andy Carroll should now be a certain starter after Dirk Kuyt’s lacklustre display up front. We’re rapidly approaching three months since the powerful forward last found the back of the net, but he won’t have many better opportunities to end his duct and better his currently dismal record with the Reds than against the most porous defence in the Premier League.

Match Odds

Bolton – 11/2 BetVictor

Draw – 14/5 bWin

Liverpool – 4/6 Ladbrokes