Premier League football betting - Liverpool vs Portsmouth

Liverpool host Portsmouth tonight in the Premier League hoping to build confidence and attempt to put pressure on their rivals in the race for fourth place. Rafa Benitez guaranteed Reds fans a place in next season`s Champions League but a string of poor results have seen that become increasingly unlikely, with Liverpool in sixth place, four points behind Spurs and two behind City, who have a game in hand.

The hosts are strong favourites for the game at 2/7 (bet £70 to win £20 profit) with Paddy Power. Portsmouth, who are threatened with relegation and face a nine-point penalty, are 14/1 with Victor Chandler to pull off a shock win at Anfield that would surely leave Benitez`s job hanging by a thread and complete a season double over Liverpool. The draw is available at 5/1 with Ladbrokes.

The bookmakers believe a comfortable home win is in order tonight and have made a 2-0 win for Liverpool the favourite score for the match at 11/2, with Victor Chandler offering 7/1 on 1-0 and 15/2 generally available on a convincing 3-0 win for Liverpool. A 1-1 draw is priced at 12/1 and a shock 1-0 win for Portsmouth is 28/1. Last time the teams met Pompey took all three ,points, beating Liverpool 2-0 at Fratton Park, and a repeat of this scoreline is as long as 100/1 with Paddy Power.

Spanish striker Fernando Torres has been made favourite to open the scoring tonight at 3/1 with Coral, followed by Dirk Kuyt at 5/1, with Steven Gerrard and David N`Gog both available at 11/2. Frederic Piquionne is seen as Portsmouth`s best chance of scoring the first goal tonight and the Frenchman is 12/1 to do the honours, ahead of Arouna Dindane at 14/1.

Liverpool are 8/11 to lead tonight at both half-time and full-time and 7/2 to win the match after drawing at half-time. The bookmakers offer 8/1 that both halves end in a draw and Portsmouth are 33/1 to be winning at both the interval and the final whistle. Draw/Portsmouth is available at he same price.

Pompey seem doomed to relegation and some bookmakers have already paid out on the men from Fratton Park going down. Liverpool, however, still have more than pride to play for and are 10/3 win Bet365 to finish in the top four this season.

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