Premiership / Dan Fitch / 26 January 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

After a win at Wolves, Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool will be looking at another victory, but Dan 'The Betting Man' Fitch thinks that cautious Fulham will make this tough.

Venue: Anfield
Kick Off: 20:00

The spectre of Roy Hodgson looks like it could be lifting from both Liverpool and Fulham, as the veteran manager's former clubs meet at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Under Mark Hughes, Fulham have recently pulled away from the relegation zone with a run of good form, while Liverpool have finally recorded another win on their travels after months of trying.

The home side will be boosted by the news that their skipper Steven Gerrard will return to the team after serving a suspension, though Jamie Carragher will remain on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.

For Fulham, Dickson Etuhu and Aaron Hughes picked up hamstring injuries at the weekend and could miss out. New signing Steve Sidwell could make his full debut after coming on as a substitute against Stoke on Saturday.

Match Odds: Liverpool [1.58], the draw [4.2], Fulham [7.4]
Although I fancy a home win, these odds look a little skinny. Liverpool may have won their last game comfortably, but beating a team in the relegation zone doesn't necessarily signal that the club have turned a corner.

They failed to beat a struggling Everton team in their last home game and the return of Steven Gerrard could disrupt a side, where Raul Meireles has shone in the captain's absence.

Liverpool's defence still looks shaky, particularly at left back where an out-of-position Glen Johnson could prove a liability. With Fulham now unbeaten for four games, this is a potential banana skin for Liverpool and I'd wait until their price possibly improves In-Play before backing them.

Over/Under 2.5 goals: Under 2.5 goals [1.87], Over 2.5 goals [2.1]
Liverpool may have Fernando Torres back amongst the goals, but they will find it difficult to penetrate a Fulham team that keep things very tight on the road.

The visitors have conceded just 11 away goals this season, with only the ultra-defensive Manchester City having let in less goals on their travels. The flip side of this cautious mentality is that Fulham don't pose much of a goal threat, with only Wigan having scored less.

Eight of their 11 away games have resulted in under 2.5 goals, which makes the [1.87] very good value.

Liverpool Clean Sheet
Liverpool's clean sheet against Wolves was their first for six games, but I feel that the [2.12] for them to not concede, is a pretty good bet.

I never thought that I'd be writing this, but Fulham have badly missed the goal threat of Bobby Zamora this season and as we've discussed, play a very cautious game away from home and score very few goals.

If you fancy the Liverpool defence to be breached, then the odds of them conceding are [1.86].

First Goal-scorer
Fernando Torres grabbed two goals at the weekend and he will be available at around [4.0] to open the scoring when the first goal-scorer market opens on Betfair closer to kick off. Such a price reflects his poor form this season, but if Kenny Dalglish can get Torres back to his energised best, then it could represent great value.

The returning Steven Gerrard will be priced at around [6.5], with Dirk Kuyt available at about [7.0] and the in-form Meireles an interesting option at [13.0].

For Fulham, the former Evertonian Andy Johnson is likely to be priced at around [11.0], with his strike partner Moussa Dembele at [12.0]. A better option though would surely be Fulham's top scorer Clint Dempsey, who has scored eight league goals this season and should also trade at about [12.0].

Best Bet: Back under 2.5 goals @ [1.87]
Recommended Bets: Back a Liverpool clean sheet @ [2.12], back Fernando Torres to score first @ [4.0]