Premier League football - Stoke vs Liverpool

Stoke host struggling Liverpool tonight in the Premier League knowing there is no better time to face last year`s runners-up. Liverpool are out of both domestic cups and the Champions League after consistently poor showings and are now without key players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres once again. The Reds crashed out of the FA Cup to lowly Reading on Wednesday night and confidence at Anfield is at an all-time low.

The visitors, however, are still favourites for the game at 5/4 (bet £40 to win £50 profit), leaving Stoke as underdogs at 11/4. Both teams are finding it difficult to win at the moment, with Liverpool winning only three of their last eight and Stoke only two over the same period. The draw is priced at 23/10.

The bookmakers seem to think the game will be close and have made a 1-1 draw the favourite score for the match at 13/2, slightly ahead of 1-0 to Liverpool at 7/1, with 2-0 at 17/2. A goalless  draw is available at 8/1 and a 1-0 home win has been priced at 9/1.

In the absence of Torres and Gerrard young French striker David N`Gog has been made favourite to open the scoring tonight at 6/1, followed by Dirk Kuyt at 13/2. Turkey captain Tuncay is at 9/1 but is doubtful with injury, so Stoke`s best hopes of scoring the first goal of the match are Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie, both also at 9/1.

The visitors are 11/4 to lead at both half-time and full-time tonight and 9/2 to win after drawing at half-time. The bookmakers offer the same price that both halves are drawn and 6/1 that Stoke are winning at the interval and the final whistle. Draw/Stoke is at 8/1.

Liverpool are now too far out to realistically challenge for the Premier League title this season but Rafa Benitez has `guaranteed` a top-four finish. However, even this may be difficult for them, and they are now 12/5 to do so. They currently sit in seventh place.

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