Premier League football betting - Liverpool vs West Ham

News that Fernando Torres will be sidelined for around six weeks is the latest disappointment in a season that has seen them enter its closing stages with little left to play for. The Reds, thought to be title contenders back in August, look set to finish outside the top four for the first time in five years meaning the club will not be involved in the Champions League and the revenue and prestige that go with it. West Ham`s win over Sunderland last time out lifted them three points clear of eighteenth-placed Hull with a superior goal difference but Gianfranco Zola will know his side are far from safe.

The hosts are favourites for today`s game at 2/5 (bet £50 to win £10 profit), leaving West Ham as underdogs at 8/1 with the draw at 7/2. Neither side can claim to be in form and Liverpool have won only two of their last six matches, one of those coming at Anfield against a very lacklustre Sunderland side. The Reds have drawn with Birmingham and Fulham in that period and with Torres missing they may struggle to break West Ham down if the East London side put in a fighting display. They did just that last time they were on Merseyside, battling back to snatch a draw against Everton at Goodison Park in the eighty-seventh minute.

The bookmakers believe Liverpool will be strong enough to get a result this evening and have made a 2-0 win Rafa Benitez`s side the favourite score for the game at 11/1, followed by 1-0 at 13/2 with Victor Chandler with 3-0 generally available at 10/1. In their current position, West Ham would definitely be happy with a draw and 1-1 is at 9/1, with 0-0 at 14/1 and SkyBet offer 20/1 that they go one better and come away with a surprise 1-0 win.

In Torres`s absence, Steven Gerrard and David N`Gog have been made joint-favourites to open the scoring tonight at 5/1, though Gerrard has had a poor season in front of goal by his standards and young Frenchman N`Gog has only scored four times in twenty-one appearances. With this in mind, Dirk Kuyt could be a more attractive option at 11/2. West Ham will be looking to Carlton Cole if they are to break the deadlock this evening and the England World Cup hopeful is seen as their best chance at 11/1.

Liverpool are 11/10 with Paddy Power to lead tonight at both half-time and full-time and 7/2 to win after drawing at half-time. The bookmakers offer 7/1 that Liverpool slip up again and both halves end in a draw and West Ham are 18/1 to upset their hosts, winning at both the interval and the final whistle. Draw/West Ham is available at 20/1.

The Hammers`s performances in their last two games have been those of a team who can stave off relegation while the results have helped them do so and they are now 9/2 with Bodog for the drop. Liverpool`s challenge for the top four has simply faded away and they are now as long as 20/1 to play Champions League football next season.

Liverpool vs West Ham betting odds

Premier League relegation betting odds

Premier League top four betting odds

Other football betting previews

Claim up to £750 of free bookmaker bets