LeeDixon

Liverpool need to start winning matches such as these if they're going to finish in the Top Four and at a ground where they won easily last year, they should be able to do so again this time round.

If you're going to aim one piece of criticism at Liverpool for what they've done this season it would be that they haven't won matches they've gone into as clear favourites.

Draws against both Manchesters and wins away at the likes of Chelsea and Everton are a good indication of how they can raise their game for the big matches but all that hard work is undone when you draw at home to the likes of Norwich and Stoke.

Match Odds

This match will therefore be a good indication of whether this is where they kick on and win a game they start as favourites (2.24) or drop points having put in two good performances against Manchester City (league) and Chelsea (Carling Cup) over the last week.

As for Fulham, they'll be confident after that draw at Arsenal because few expected it but let's not hide from the fact that the Gunners would have won the match with a little more luck. It's also worth remembering the Opta stat that Fulham have won just one of their last eight Premier League games at Craven Cottage (W1 D4 L3), a run which started with a 2-5 defeat by Liverpool on a Monday night in May. Not good reading for their fans.

Liverpool should be too good for them and pick up a good three points that will help them move closer to a Top Four finish. I tipped them to do just that at the start of the season and they're very much on course to.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Fulham have failed to score in six of their last eight Premier League games against Liverpool. That's a pretty baffling stat, now.

And Liverpool haven't been free-scoring themselves and part of the reason for that is that the man who was supposedly meant to do most of the scoring, Andy Carroll, hasn't been in the starting XI for a while now, let alone scoring loads of goals.

Despite that freak 5-2 scoreline last time they played, I expect few goals in this one. If you want a bigger price than the 1.8 on 'unders', 2-0 Liverpool is available at 13.0 and worth considering.

First Goalscorer

We've pretty much ruled out a Fulham goal and Carroll didn't do anything in midweek to suggest he's about to be re-called to the starting line-up for a Premier League match. No-one in Liverpool's midfielder has looked a particularly likely scorer in recent weeks so we have to go with a more reliable option. Luis Suarez is one of those players who always looks like scoring (even when he doesn't). He hasn't scored too many recently but he's my bet to open the scoring here.

Recommended Bets
3 pts Back Liverpool to win @ 2.24
2 pts Back Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.8
1 pt Back 2-0 Liverpool @ 13.0
2 pts Back Luis Suarez to be first goalscorer @ 5.5

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