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Top-four battle hots up

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 21/02/2010
Football betting

The fight for fourth place in the Premier League takes centre stage on Sunday when Manchester City play host to Liverpool at the City of Manchester Stadium.

City will be full of confidence for the crucial showdown, with Roberto Mancini's side looking to make it seven Premier League wins in a row at Eastlands.

Indeed, City have won 18 and lost just one of their last 22 Premier League home matches, as they battle for a place in next season's Champions League.

The home side will be robbed of the services of midfielder Patrick Vieira, who is suspended for kicking out at Glenn Whelan during the 1-1 midweek draw at Stoke City.

The Reds continue to have to cope without star striker Fernando Torres due to a knee injury, while Glen Johnson also misses out, but Rafa Benitez will hope Yossi Benayoun is available for selection.

Earlier this season honours were even at Anfield, as the two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.

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Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur's bid for a top-four finish continues with a trip to the DW Stadium to take on Wigan Athletic.

The fixture sees the Latics looking to make amends for a dreadful display earlier this season when they were routed 9-1 by Spurs at White Hart Lane.

Their cause may be helped by Spurs winger Aaron Lennon missing out again due to a groin injury which has sidelined him since the turn of the year.

Aston Villa also have top-four aspirations and will be confident of keeping up the pressure when they face Burnley at Villa Park.

Martin O'Neill's side have not won any of their last four home matches in the Premier League, scoring just one goal in the process, but will be confident of victory against what is the worst away side in the league.

Burnley have only picked up one point and have a minus 30 goal difference on their travels this term in the top-flight, and have now failed to score in nine hours of away league action.

Two sides with European hopes meet at Craven Cottage when Fulham and Birmingham City clash in the capital.

The Cottagers have been particularly strong at their west London home, winning seven and losing just one of their last ten Premier League fixtures at their Thames-side ground.

Conversely, the Blues have struggled on their travels in recent weeks, losing both their last two away games and failing to score in either.

The lunchtime kick-off sees Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers meet at the Reebok Stadium, with the Trotters in desperate need of a positive result as they currently occupy the final relegation place.

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