Tag Archives: Reds

Patched-up Reds a worry

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West Brom should not be dismissed at 15/8 (90 minutes) to send Liverpool (11/8, draw 12/5) packing from the Capital One Cup third round at The Hawthorns on Wednesday.

Key to this recommendation is the impressive home form of Steve Clarke’s men, having lost only twice in their own back yard since the end of February in all competitions. Already this season they have chalked up wins against the same opponents, in-form Everton and newcomers Reading – all to nil.

Clarke has also made some smart acquisitions in the form of striker Romelu Lukaku from his old club Chelsea, as well as midfield livewire Claudio Yacob and Markus Rosenberg from Werder Bremen.

Rosenberg will be hoping to break his duck for his new club if Lukaku is rested along with playmaker Zoltan Gera, while Shane Long, who made a positive impact when introduced as a substitute against Reading, could also be in line for a start.

The pair can be backed at 2/1 and 13/8 respectively in the Anytime Goalscorer market.

Chris Brunt said experience gained from the Premier League had given the players the understanding to get over the line and revealed he was enthused by the spirit in the camp.

The skipper told the official club website: “If you look across the squad, we’ve got a lot of Premier League experience and that speaks volumes in games like Saturday, when it’s scrappy and not free-flowing.

“We know how to win games and we did it again against Reading.”

Brendan Rodgers will have to dig deep into his already-depleted squad for the trip to the Black Country and the Capital One Cup is unlikely to feature near the top of his priority list.

The Northern Irishman is without Jonjo Shelvey, who starts a three-match ban following his red card against Manchester United, as well as long-term injury-victim Martin Kelly and fellow defender Dan Agger.

Fabio Borini is also unlikely to be risked because of a swollen ankle sustained in the 2-1 defeat by the club’s bitter rivals on an emotionally-charged afternoon on Sunday.

The former Swansea boss made a raft of changes for the Europa League last week and will not want to risk senior stars such as captain Steven Gerrard and striker Luis Suarez.

Curiously, the only away game Liverpool failed to score in so far this season was against West Brom, but, with so many changes planned, punters may decide they are worth taking on.

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Can Reds and Gunners fire?

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There’s two big Premier League games on Sunday with Arsenal and Liverpool both hoping to open their goal accounts but the two top-four hopefuls face tough tests as the Gunners go to Stoke and Brendan Rodgers’ side entertain champions Manchester City.

Stoke v Arsenal (1.30pm)

The early kick-off features the Potters at home to Arsene Wenger’s side with both clubs hoping they can turn the draws they earned on the opening weekend into a win.

Arsenal are favourites to come out on top at 23/10 in the match betting but plenty will see value in the home side triumphing in this with 5/2 looking generous, considering the Potters are traditionally very hard to beat in front of their loud home fans.

Tony Pulis’ side kicked off the campaign with a 1-1 draw at newly-promoted Reading but it was so nearly a 1-0 win as Michael Kightly’s goal was only cancelled out by Adam Le Fondre’s last-minute spot-kick at the Madejski Stadium.

Stoke are always up for it at the Britannia – as are those fans – and Wenger’s men may have to weather an early storm on Sunday lunchtime with the Potters eager to get off to a flying start. With that in mind, Peter Crouch to score the first goal is worth backing at 8/1.

Arsenal have only won once at Stoke in the last four seasons but created enough chances in the ultimately disappointing goalless draw at home to Sunderland in their opener to suggest goals will not be a problem this season, despite Robin van Persie’s exit.

The onus is on summer signings Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud to fill the void left by the Dutchman, while more will be expected from the likes of Theo Walcott in the final third. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returns to the Gunners’ squad and he could even earn a start with his pace a worry to the Potters.

Including pre-season friendlies, Stoke have drawn their last five games 1-1, which can be backed at 6/1, and another draw could well be the outcome here although an entertaining 2-2 is predicted in the correct score market at an attractive 14/1.

Liverpool v Manchester City (4pm)

All eyes then turn to Anfield for an eagerly-awaited clash between Rodgers’ men and Roberto Mancini’s title favourites. City are on offer at 11/8 to win with Liverpool 2/1 shots and the draw 12/5 in the match betting.

Rodgers could be the first Liverpool manager to lose his first two league games since a certain Bill Shankly suffered that fate and, if the Reds are beaten by the champions – and there will be plenty expecting the visitors to come out on top in this – the pressure will be turned up a notch on the former Swansea chief.

The Merseysiders folded badly when losing Daniel Agger to a red card at West Brom last weekend and ultimately slipped to a thoroughly disappointing 3-0 opening-day defeat.

A workmanlike 1-0 success over Hearts on Thursday in the Europa League will have done little to ease fans’ worries that it will be another difficult season for the Reds and they will hope to raise their game, like they did last season against the better sides, when City come to town.

However, Mancini’s men look too strong, even without Sergio Aguero up front, for a side still very much getting to grips with a new system and manager and expect them to pick up all three points to make it two out of two for the title-chasers.

Their entertaining 3-2 win over Southampton last weekend was a lot closer than many thought and this could equally have just one goal in it with City fancied to triumph 2-1, which is on offer at odds of 9/1.

In Aguero’s absence, Mario Balotelli will hope to get the nod ahead of Edin Dzeko to partner Carlos Tevez up front and the Italian is well worth backing at 7/4 to score anytime.

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Can Reds and Gunners finally fire?

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There’s two big Premier League games on Sunday with Arsenal and Liverpool both hoping to open their goal accounts but the two top-four hopefuls face tough tests as the Gunners go to Stoke and Brendan Rodgers’ side entertain champions Manchester City.

Stoke v Arsenal (1.30pm)

The early kick-off features the Potters at home to Arsene Wenger’s side with both clubs hoping they can turn the draws they earned on the opening weekend into a win.

Arsenal are favourites to come out on top at 23/10 in the match betting but plenty will see value in the home side triumphing in this with 5/2 looking generous, considering the Potters are traditionally very hard to beat in front of their loud home fans.

Tony Pulis’ side kicked off the campaign with a 1-1 draw at newly-promoted Reading but it was so nearly a 1-0 win as Michael Kightly’s goal was only cancelled out by Adam Le Fondre’s last-minute spot-kick at the Madejski Stadium.

Stoke are always up for it at the Britannia – as are those fans – and Wenger’s men may have to weather an early storm on Sunday lunchtime with the Potters eager to get off to a flying start. With that in mind, Peter Crouch to score the first goal is worth backing at 8/1.

Arsenal have only won once at Stoke in the last four seasons but created enough chances in the ultimately disappointing goalless draw at home to Sunderland in their opener to suggest goals will not be a problem this season, despite Robin van Persie’s exit.

The onus is on summer signings Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud to fill the void left by the Dutchman, while more will be expected from the likes of Theo Walcott in the final third. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain returns to the Gunners’ squad and he could even earn a start with his pace a worry to the Potters.

Including pre-season friendlies, Stoke have drawn their last five games 1-1, which can be backed at 6/1, and another draw could well be the outcome here although an entertaining 2-2 is predicted in the correct score market at an attractive 14/1.

Liverpool v Manchester City (4pm)

All eyes then turn to Anfield for an eagerly-awaited clash between Rodgers’ men and Roberto Mancini’s title favourites. City are on offer at 11/8 to win with Liverpool 2/1 shots and the draw 12/5 in the match betting.

Rodgers could be the first Liverpool manager to lose his first two league games since a certain Bill Shankly suffered that fate and, if the Reds are beaten by the champions – and there will be plenty expecting the visitors to come out on top in this – the pressure will be turned up a notch on the former Swansea chief.

The Merseysiders folded badly when losing Daniel Agger to a red card at West Brom last weekend and ultimately slipped to a thoroughly disappointing 3-0 opening-day defeat.

A workmanlike 1-0 success over Hearts on Thursday in the Europa League will have done little to ease fans’ worries that it will be another difficult season for the Reds and they will hope to raise their game, like they did last season against the better sides, when City come to town.

However, Mancini’s men look too strong, even without Sergio Aguero up front, for a side still very much getting to grips with a new system and manager and expect them to pick up all three points to make it two out of two for the title-chasers.

Their entertaining 3-2 win over Southampton last weekend was a lot closer than many thought and this could equally have just one goal in it with City fancied to triumph 2-1, which is on offer at odds of 9/1.

In Aguero’s absence, Mario Balotelli will hope to get the nod ahead of Edin Dzeko to partner Carlos Tevez up front and the Italian is well worth backing at 7/4 to score anytime.

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Reds to break Scottish Hearts

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Liverpool and Newcastle are in European action on Thursday night as they look to cement their place in the group stages of the Europa League. The Reds have already seen off Belarusian outfit FC Gomel to reach this round and will hope for a similar result when they face Scottish outfit Hearts. Meanwhile, the Toon travel to Greece looking to achieve a positive result against Atromitos Athens.

Atromitos Athens v Newcastle 6pm

Newcastle fans haven’t seen their side in European action for over five years so will be eager for the Toon to continue their recent revival when they travel to Greece. The Magpies were one of the teams of the season last term as they finished fifth, ahead of the likes of Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool.

Alan Pardew’s men look to have picked up from where they left of last season if Saturday is anything to go by, beating Tottenham 2-1 at St James’ Park in their Premier League opener. However, punters can expect Pardew to field a much-changed team in the Greek capital having left Demba Ba and Cheick Tiote at home.

New boys Vurnon Anita, Gael Bigirimana and Romain Amalfitano could get their first starts, while Steve Harper, Mike Williamson and Ryan Taylor could also feature. Teenage striker Alan Campbell is also part of the squad but isn’t expected to start.

Thursday’s opponents have yet to get their season underway but certainly shouldn’t be underestimated after finishing fourth in the Greek Super League last season. However, they are without their top goalscorer Konstantinos Mitroglou, who banged in 17 goals while on loan from Olympiakos.

With Atromitos lacking a goal threat and given Newcastle’s good defensive record you’d fancy the Toon to at least get a draw. Newcastle are 6/5, with the Greek’s 9/4 and the draw 23/10.

Hearts v Liverpool 7:45pm

The Reds faithful will be desperate to forget about Saturday’s disastrous start to the Premier League season following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to West Brom. Much like Pardew at Newcastle, Brenadan Rodgers have opted to make wholesale changes for the trip north of the border.

Skipper Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Martin Skrtel, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole, Oussama Assaidi and Jose Enrique won’t travel to Edinburgh, with Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Jay Spearing, Jonjo Shelvey and Andy Carroll all in line to start.

Liverpool’s opposition have made a solid start to the SPL season with a win and two draws but should be no match for the Reds. Hearts have had another tough summer, with ten players leaving the club and two joining as their financial issues continue. The Jambos have managed to keep hold of Andrew Driver, John Sutton and David Templeton, and that trio will be key to Hearts if they are to pull off what would be a huge upset.

A draw wouldn’t be the worse result for Liverpool but Rodgers will be desperate to secure a win ahead of a huge test against champions Manchester City on Sunday. Hearts are 6/1 to win the match, with the Reds 8/15 and the draw 11/4.

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Reds look set for Euro progress

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Liverpool are in Europa League third qualifying round second leg action against Gomel on Thursday at Anfield as they look set to seal their place in the play-off round of the tournament.

Stewart Downing’s goal in Belarus last week handed Brendan Rodgers a winning start to life in charge of the Merseysiders after he took over from Kenny Dalglish this summer.

And, with a 1-0 lead to defend on home soil, it seems unlikely that Gomel (10/1 Away Win 90 Minutes) will have enough to overturn the deficit and dump the Reds out of Europe at this early stage.

Rodgers is likely to name a similar side to the one which triumphed in the away leg so Daniel Agger is again set to miss out as he is still building up his fitness levels for the new Premier League campaign.

Luis Suarez, fresh from signing a new contract at Anfield, is back from the Olympic Games with Uruguay and could be on the bench with Andy Carroll pushing summer signing Fabio Borini for a starting role.

Gomel manager Oleg Kubarev is not expected to make wholesale changes from the first leg with danger man Aleksandr Alumona set to lead the attack, while Nikolay Lipatkin could be handed a start after a 15-minute substitute display last week.

Despite Liverpool’s first-leg win, it was Gomel who dominated large spells of the game as they are six weeks into their league season.

Match-winner Downing is hoping the Reds will not be as lacklustre this time around following another week of pre-season work and use their quality to seal a safe passage into the next round (11/2 Liverpool to win 2-0).

He said: “Obviously I can understand fans who want us to be fast out of the blocks but we had only been back 10 days so for me, it was a good result, maybe not the best performance but with a week’s training behind us we’ll put a better performance in at Anfield.”

Another notable second leg fixture sees Scottish Premier League outfit Dundee United travelling to Russia to face Dinamo Moscow hoping to snatch a win (15/2 Away Win 90 Minutes) which would send them through.

Moscow have two away goals after last week’s 2-2 draw at Tannadice and are 3/10 favourites to progress, although Peter Houston’s men could go for the draw after 90 minutes (10/3) and try and take the tie all the way to progress.

The 2010 Champions League winners Inter Milan thrashed Croatian outfit Hadjuk Split 3-0 in last week’s away first leg so not surprisingly are 1/7 to win the home tie at the San Siro.

Last season’s Europa League finalists, Athletic Bilbao, travel to Croatia for their second-leg tie against NK Slaven Belupo.

The Spanish outfit, who comfortably dismissed Manchester United over two legs last term, managed a 3-1 home-leg win and will look to ease their way through (2/1 Away Win 90 Minutes).

However, the away goal could be the key if the hosts can grab an early goal (Slaven 9/2 Home Win 90 Minutes), but Bilbao should have too much firepower to be really troubled.

A closer tie involves Marseille, who were held 1-1 in Turkey by Eskisehirspor last week.

The French Ligue 1 outfit should have enough to progress on home soil and that is reflected by the fact they are 4/11 to win the game, but a draw at 90 minutes is worth noting at 16/5.

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Reds narrow manager search

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Liverpool’s search for a new manager is continuing but the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, appear closer than ever to an appointment with Louis van Gaal (6/1 – Next Permanent Liverpool manager) and Roberto Martinez (6/5f) the two main men in the frame.

The Reds sacked club legend Kenny Dalglish last week following a disappointing Premier League campaign and immediately begun an exhaustive search for a new man.

Brendan Rodgers, Jurgen Klopp, Frank De Boer and, in the past 24 hours, Andre Villas-Boas (4/1) have all apparently been ruled out of the equation for a job that might look attractive but has so far failed to generate too much concrete interest.

Liverpool have been given permission to speak to Wigan boss Martinez but his current holiday has so far prevented the Spaniard from having an official interview, although that is likely to be forthcoming next week upon his return.

Latics owner Dave Whelan has said he wants a resolution to the situation within a week of his manager’s return on Tuesday and insists it is not a foregone conclusion Martinez will depart, amid ongoing interest from Aston Villa as well.

However, the former Swansea boss seems a good fit for Anfield, despite lukewarm appreciation of his talents from the Liverpool fans so far. He satisfies FSG’s edict of a young, hungry coach capable of building a lasting legacy and his attacking, attractive footballing philosophy is apparently exactly what John W Henry and co are after.

He has yet to be tested at a big club, though, and that remains the big risk in appointing the still relatively inexperienced 38-year-old. There is also a nagging fear that his impressive reputation may have been cultivated by a talkative Whelan, keen to ensure he secures a decent compensation figure when he does depart the DW when, in reality, he has struggled with relegation in consecutive seasons at Wigan.

So, while Martinez remains the clear favourite, perhaps the smart money should be on former Ajax, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Holland boss van Gaal getting the job.

If you believe the reports, Liverpool want him on board in a new Director of Football role but the 60-year-old is thought to be keen to take the manager’s job himself.

His CV is certainly impressive; winning the Dutch league three times with Ajax and once with AZ, the Spanish title twice while at Barca and the German Bundesliga once at Bayern. He also won the Champions League when in his native Holland in 1995 and has several domestic cups to his extensive honours list.

He is clearly a winner and has the credentials and also favours an attacking style of football, but his age may go against him in the final reckoning and the Director of Football position might not appeal if he wants the top job.

Outsiders at this stage include Rodgers (7/1), former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard (12/1) and ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez (16/1), who, despite holding plenty of fans’ support, is nowhere near even being considered it seems.

FSG are edging closer to an appointment, then, but it could still take a couple of weeks before the new man, charged with no less than getting the Reds back into top four next term, is known.

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Wembley redemption for Reds

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Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head on Saturday in the FA Cup final and while the Blues (4/6 – FA Cup Outright) still have the Champions League showpiece to come, they will be keen to deny the Reds (6/5 – Outright) their second trophy of the season in what looks like being a tight Wembley clash.

It used to be the biggest game of the season but the Champions League and Premier League have cast a shadow over the FA Cup final in recent years and this year’s 5.15pm kick off – for whatever reason – has done little to improve that perception.

Chelsea, who have generally been flying under Roberto Di Matteo, are slight favourites to triumph at 6/5 over 90 minutes, but could be distracted by that upcoming date in Munich with Bayern while inconsistent Liverpool (15/8 – 90 Minutes) know securing a Cup double will salvage their season after a disappointing league campaign.

With much at stake it’s a difficult call to suggest who will be celebrating at the come 7.15pm or so and there are many interesting side-stories bubbling under in the big clash.

Most Chelsea fans will probably accept losing on Saturday if they can then go on to lift their first-ever European Cup but such has been their recent impressive form – Wednesday’s 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle apart – they will be confident approaching the final.

Di Matteo has revitalised and re-focused what was an under-performing squad and has been described by senior players Frank Lampard and John Terry as a “breath of fresh air” at the Bridge in recent months.

He appears to have given players back a belief clearly lacking under former boss Andre Villas-Boas and one man in particular – Fernando Torres – looks close to his brilliant best once again.

Liverpool, of course, know all about the Spaniard, who hit a hat-trick last weekend in the win over QPR and, following on his dramatic late goal against Barcelona last month, Torres’ redemption could be complete with another strike at Wembley against his former team. At 13/8 he is worth backing to score anytime, with Di Matteo likely to go with Torres ahead of Didier Drogba up front.

These two sides have met an incredible 31 times in the past eight seasons – a run which has included plenty of big games. Three Champions League semi-finals, an FA Cup semi and League Cup final are among them and, apart from the latter, Liverpool have generally had the upper hand in those crunch encounters to suggest the Reds have the edge over their opponents when it matters most.

Chelsea have also lost their last four games against Kenny Dalglish’s side, including Carling Cup and league defeats at home this season, so the stats could lead you to predict it’s time for the Londoners to triumph once again.

Liverpool have been frustratingly inconsistent in general this season with their fine Cup form contrasting with a woeful home league record, which hit a new low when they lost 1-0 against Fulham on Tuesday.

That, however, was largely a second-string side and they will welcome back key men Steven Gerrard (9/4 to score anytime), Luis Suarez, Glen Johnson and Pepe Reina amongst others at Wembley.

If Liverpool are to come out on top, much is sure to depend on how Suarez, a hat-trick hero in his last game at Norwich, and Gerrard perform, while the unpredictable Andy Carroll may also have a big say if he is at the top of his game.

Chelsea have injury concerns over central defenders David Luiz and Gary Cahill after the pair both missed training on Friday, while Dalglish has virtually a full-strength squad to choose from aside from long-term absentees Charlie Adam and Lucas Leiva.

The game could hinge on a piece of brilliance from the likes of Torres, Drogba, Juan Mata, Gerrard or Suarez, or even a sending off in what’s likely to be a fiery meeting, while extra-time and/or penalties could well be on the menu (Draw at 90 minutes – 11/5).

It’s a very difficult one to predict but, with Chelsea possibly having bigger fish to fry later this month, Liverpool, who know a win will save their season, could just about edge it.

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Blues to join Reds in final

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After Saturday’s superb first semi-final, which saw Liverpool beat local rivals Everton to claim a place in the FA Cup final, Tottenham and Chelsea face each other on Sunday to decide who will return to Wembley to meet the Reds in May (Spurs 13/8, draw 23/10, Chelsea 7/4 – Match Betting).

As both Premier League games between the London sides have ended in draws this season, the two teams will be looking for the extra ingredient that will see them beat their opponents to keep their hopes of domestic silverware alive.

At the turn of the year, Tottenham looked as if they could win the Premier League title after staying in touch with both Manchester United and Manchester City at the top of the table, but they have struggled in recent weeks and have now dropped to fourth behind local rivals Arsenal.

They lost last time out against Norwich but the FA Cup is a totally different kettle of fish and they will be looking to win their first piece of silverware since capturing the League Cup in 1998.

Key to their chances of victory will undoubtedly be the performance of Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart (13/8 to score at any time) who, after starring in the early part of the campaign, has struggled recently. However, he always seems to perform on the big stage and his ability to play clever passes and unlock defences could make the difference.

The Blues are currently in a rich vein of form under interim boss Roberto di Matteo, having won four of their last five matches in all competitions.

They may have a mouth-watering Champions League semi-final tie with Barcelona on Wednesday but they will be desperate to beat their local rivals first. They will also have a number of players who will be looking to put in a strong display against Spurs to give themselves a chance of being included in the starting line-up for the clash against the Blaugrana.

Like Spurs, much of their attacking threat comes through their playmakers and Spanish international Juan Mata (15/8 to score at any time) could play a vital role in proceedings. Mata is a similar player to Van der Vaart so expect him to pop up all over the field as he looks to break down the Tottenham rearguard.

This looks almost too close to call but with captain John Terry fit and Chelsea being the form side, they should just sneak it 1-0. However, it’s guaranteed to be tight (Chelsea 13/2 to win 1-0).

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Rovers to worsen Reds woe

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Since the start of the year Liverpool have endured one of their poorest runs in their Premier League history and Blackburn Rovers will be looking to compound their misery when they host the Merseysiders at Ewood Park on Tuesday night (Blackburn 5/2, draw 12/5, Liverpool 11/10 – 90 minutes).

The pressure is slowly but surely starting to mount on manager Kenny Dalglish at Anfield and were it not for his iconic status on Merseyside, the Scot may well have found himself looking for new employers following a torrid spell.

Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Aston Villa on Saturday highlighted what has been a season that most supporters of the club will want to forget.

Yes, the Reds have added a League Cup to the cabinet this season but in the bread and butter that is the Premier League, Dalglish’s men have been well off the pace.

The Scot will be looking to get a response from his players when they make the relatively short trip to Lancashire to take on Rovers.

Questions have continued to be raised over striker Andy Carroll’s (11/2 first goalscorer) future with Liverpool, having struggled to consistently find the back of the net since making his £35m move from Newcastle United in January last year.

The England forward started on the bench against Villa but could be given a starting role to combat the physical Rovers back four.

Luis Suarez (9/2 first goalscorer) is a man that Blackburn will be fully aware of and the Uruguayan has the potential to cause the home side all sorts of problems on Tuesday night.

As for Rovers they go into this on the back of a lacklustre performance against West Brom, with the Baggies running out comfortable 3-0 winners at the Hawthorns.

Having looked like they had turned a corner under manager Steve Kean at the start of March with wins over Sunderland, Wolves and a draw with Villa; Blackburn have struggled in recent outings.

The Lancashire outfit rely heavily on strikers Yakubu (11/2 first goalscorer) and David Hoilett for their goals and if the pair are having an off-day, Kean’s side struggle to hit the back of the net.

Both strikers struggled against West Brom who dominated much of the game on Saturday and Liverpool could do much worse than to have a look at the tapes of that game and watch how their former manager Roy Hodgson neutralised Rovers.

Liverpool will be desperate to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night as they hope to end their four game losing streak in the top flight.

Blackburn have raised their game to take on the bigger teams in the Premier League and likewise Liverpool have struggled to secure three points against the so called lesser sides.

This game does not look like it will have too many goals in it considering the form and Dalglish might just have to settle for a point against a resilient Rovers outfit (Correct Score – 1-1 6/1).

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Reds to upset United flow

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The Premier League is beginning to reach boiling point at both ends of the table and Saturday gives us a number of fixtures which could have big ramifications at the top and bottom. We start with the big game between Manchester United and Liverpool before moving onto a relegation six-pointer and intriguing clash at Goodison Park in the bid to pick out some winning bets for Saturday.

Manchester United v Liverpool 12:45pm

The meetings between these two are normally red letter days in the Premier League and this one is no different, with United going for a 20th title and the Reds desperate for a top four finish. United produced one of the comebacks of the season last week at Chelsea, although the Blues’ lack of defensive ability certainly helped their cause. However, any team that comes from 3-0 to secure a share of the spoils is bound to be full of confidence.

Liverpool’s home form has been less than impressive this season but on the road they have looked solid and been tough to beat, recording victories at Arsenal and Chelsea. The Reds will also fancy their chances having won two out of the last three against United, albeit they were all at Anfield. Liverpool’s record isn’t the best at Old Trafford, with just two wins in the last nine but at 7/2 the price is too good to turn down.

The return of Luis Suarez is likely to prove to be a catalyst for the game and if you fancy the Uruguayan to fan the flames of hate at Old Trafford further by scoring he is priced at 15/8 to hit the back of the net at anytime. Suarez is likely to start up front having been rested against Tottenham, meaning Andy Carroll could drop to the bench despite his good form.

Bolton v Wigan 3pm

These two north-west outfits are in grave danger of falling through the trap door this season and as such will view this encounter as the perfect chance to get one over on their relegation rivals. Before last weekend’s defeat to Norwich, Bolton were beginning to put a run of form together. The loss at Carrow Road shouldn’t have set the Trotters back too far though as they created enough chances to have secured a share of the spoils. Bolton boss Owen Coyle made some shrewd acquisitions in January and with players returning from injury they should have too much for Wigan.

Wigan have looked doomed for a number of weeks now and, despite a 1-1 draw with Everton halting a run five consecutive defeats, you get the feeling the Latics have had their time in the top flight. A lack of goals and too many individual errors at the back have cost Roberto Martinez’s men time after time and they show no signs of solving either issue.

Bolton are evens to beat Wigan, with a 2-0 win for the home side price at 7/1.

Everton v Chelsea 3pm

Chelsea’s players are probably still wondering how they didn’t manage to beat United last week, having been 3-0 up with just under 40 minutes to play. The result will have knocked the confidence of Andre Villas-Boas’ men and the way with which they surrendered that three goal lead so meekly will have Blues supporters worried.

Chelsea are 5/4 to win at Everton, a price which is very short when you consider they have won just one of the last five at Goodison Park in all competitions. The Toffees have shown they are more than capable of upsetting the big boys recently with a great win over Manchester City. David Moyes shopped well in January to add some much needed depth to his squad, Landon Donovan again doing the business for the Scot.

Chelsea have looked fragile this season and Everton know how to make a team feel uncomfortable. The Toffees are on offer at 9/4, with the draw also a solid bet at 12/5.

Elsewhere on Saturday, QPR travel to Blackburn for another relegation six pointer. Can Mark Hughes’ expensive ensemble do a job against one of his former clubs? The R’s are priced at 21/10 to pick up a much needed win. There is also a big game down at White Hart Lane as Newcastle look to keep their hopes of fourth alive with a win over Tottenham. Spurs should round off a good week for Harry Redknapp and are priced at 4/9 for the win.

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