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D-Day for Benitez

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 25/10/2009
Football betting

Liverpool and their under-pressure manager Rafael Benitez have their backs to the walls as they prepare for one of their biggest games of the season.

The visit of one of the online favourites to win the Premier League title, Manchester United, to Anfield is always an eagerly-anticipated one, but this encounter has added spice as the Reds are so horribly out of form.

Four successive defeats in all competitions - their worst run since 1987 - has left the Merseyside club down in eighth place in the Premier League table while their Champions League hopes are hanging in the balance.

Benitez's preparations for a massive game haven't been helped by the continuing uncertainty over whether star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will be fit enough to play.

United have no such worries as they arrive at Anfield back on top of the Premier League table and with a virtually fully-fit squad available to manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs should return after missing the midweek Champions League trip to Russia through injury.

Can United retain their Premier League crown? - Latest Football Betting

Elsewhere, Manchester City hope to boost their bid for a top-four finish by seeing off visitors Fulham at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The Citizens dropped two points last time out when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic, with Mark Hughes' men fortunate to earn a point at the DW Stadium.

Hughes also has a number of injury problems to contend with, as Emmanuel Adebayor and Robinho (both ankle) definitely miss out, while Craig Bellamy and Kolo Toure are also doubtful.

West Ham United entertain Arsenal in an important London derby as Gianfranco Zola's men are struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table and sit ahead of only Portsmouth.

They have failed to win a league game since the opening day of the season and it is a run that needs to be arrested.

Anything other than an in-form Arsenal win may well raise a few eyebrows as they set about their assault on the teams at the top of the table.

Bolton Wanderers host Everton at the Reebok Stadium with both sides looking for a victory to try and move up the table.

The Trotters suffered their first loss in five last time out, but they put in a creditable performance in their 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Everton have won only three of their eight league games to date and last time out they were fortunate to secure a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves.

David Moyes' men have been expected to challenge for a possible top-four finish this season, but the Toffees have struggled to hit top form consistently.

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