1. Merseyside derby

One of the main highlights of this coming weekend in the Premier League is the 220th Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield.
The Reds' fall from Champions League contention may have hinted at a possible levelling of the playing field in recent years but Everton have tasted victory against their rivals just once in eight previous encounters in all competitions.
The Toffees, though, appear to have the upper hand this season, with a one-place and five-point advantage over Liverpool heading into the game, and will be gunning for a successive finishes above the Reds for the first time since 1937.
Victory for David Moyes's charges on Sunday would guarantee such a record and end a 14-year wait for three points at Anfield.
"We'll go there full of the confidence that we've got this year," Leon Osman said this week.
"We're five points above them at the minute and a win would certainly be great for us but we're still on the coat-tails of the teams above us and we're trying to win for that reason as well."
These two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Goodison Park earlier in the season, with Brendan Rodgers's side racing into a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes before goals from Osman and Steven Naismith drew parity before half-time.
Liverpool come into this game off the back of a 6-0 hammering of Newcastle at St James' Park in the first game of Luis Suarez's 10-game ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
Goals from Daniel Agger, Jordan Henderson, Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini - and another fine showing from Philippe Coutinho - went some way to prove Rodgers's claim that his team are not reliant on their Uruguayan striker.
"We still have a chance of catching Everton and that's our target," Lucas Leiva said on Wednesday.
"We know we have to win if we want to finish a position higher than we are now."
Everton, though, present a far tougher side to break down after keeping five clean sheet in their previous seven games and Moyes has no fresh injury concerns to hamper his preparations, with Darron Gibson progressing well after being withdrawn during the 1-0 loss to Sunderland in April.
Liverpool are also in good shape heading into the game, with Rogers positive over Raheem Sterling's fitness for the final three games of the season.
The Reds' fall from Champions League contention may have hinted at a possible levelling of the playing field in recent years but Everton have tasted victory against their rivals just once in eight previous encounters in all competitions.
The Toffees, though, appear to have the upper hand this season, with a one-place and five-point advantage over Liverpool heading into the game, and will be gunning for a successive finishes above the Reds for the first time since 1937.
BET OF THE WEEKEND |
Jim Knight, Goal.com Betting Editor Liverpool surprised plenty of people with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Newcastle without Luis Suarez last weekend, while Everton got the better of Fulham at Goodison Park. This fixture is always a full-blooded affair and, although both teams are still chasing European football for next season, there may be a better option than backing an outcome which involves just the match odds. Liverpool look too short at Even money given the absence of Suarez but opposing them seems unwise given Everton's run of six Premier League away games without a win. In this case, I prefer looking for a bigger-priced bet which enhances the price for home win. Everton often score and concede on the road and both teams to score at around 7/10 looks a solid option, but I'll opt for Liverpool to win with both teams scoring as that's a tasty-looking 11/4 (3.75) with Paddy Power and holds plenty of appeal given Everton have lost three of their last six away from Goodison Park. |
"We'll go there full of the confidence that we've got this year," Leon Osman said this week.
"We're five points above them at the minute and a win would certainly be great for us but we're still on the coat-tails of the teams above us and we're trying to win for that reason as well."
These two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Goodison Park earlier in the season, with Brendan Rodgers's side racing into a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes before goals from Osman and Steven Naismith drew parity before half-time.
Liverpool come into this game off the back of a 6-0 hammering of Newcastle at St James' Park in the first game of Luis Suarez's 10-game ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
Goals from Daniel Agger, Jordan Henderson, Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini - and another fine showing from Philippe Coutinho - went some way to prove Rodgers's claim that his team are not reliant on their Uruguayan striker.
"We still have a chance of catching Everton and that's our target," Lucas Leiva said on Wednesday.
"We know we have to win if we want to finish a position higher than we are now."
Everton, though, present a far tougher side to break down after keeping five clean sheet in their previous seven games and Moyes has no fresh injury concerns to hamper his preparations, with Darron Gibson progressing well after being withdrawn during the 1-0 loss to Sunderland in April.
Liverpool are also in good shape heading into the game, with Rogers positive over Raheem Sterling's fitness for the final three games of the season.
Friday, 3 May 2013 08:00
This weekend in the Premier League
By Alex Young
The title has been decided and two of the three relegation spots have been filled but that does not mean that there is little for which to play in England's top flight and Goal.com is right here to guide you through the latest round of matches.
Follow Alex Young on
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1. Merseyside derby
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2. The race for Champions League qualification
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3. The battle against relegation
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4. Top-10 finish still up for grabs
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