Fulham - Liverpool

Liverpool have to thank to their city rivals on advantage they have at the fourth table position. Bad Everton results are the main reason why that gap between fourth and fifth position is a five points. On the other hand domestic team won last Sunday for the first time after more then a year and half as away team. Fulham beat Reading, but they are still deep in relegation zone.

More then an hour Benitez’s team needed to take a lead against though Birmingam at Enfield. After Gerard’s opener, Torres and Voronin just make Red’s victory safe. Thanks to this victory Liverpool could travel to Craven Cottage without pressure and with thoughts at Champions League semifinal. In previous two years Red’s have been beaten when they travel to face Fulham and this time they will have a hard job too. However, we can expect that some key players will be on the bench preparing for a match of the season against Chelsea.

On the other hand domestic team is in must win situation. Victory at Majestic stadium came in the right moment, so they still believe in survival. Confidence is flying high so we can expect that Cottagers will try to press hard and try to collect other decisive points. Good results against Merseysiders in previous season are another big reason to believe in positive result. Manager Roy Hodgson said that only three points could stay alive their dreams about staying at Premier league. He will have all players available except a goalkeeper Niemi.

Huge motivation and last week victory, after more then 550 days, are main reasons why to believe in Fulham success. Benitez have to rest some players for Champions Legaue clashes, so we will see again rotations in the team. He has been criticized already this season for bad results when they rest key players, but reason is simple – Liverpool don’t have enough quality players to replace Gerard and Torres.

I believe that domestic team will stay unbeaten here so my choice is a home win on level ball. Odds are pretty fine and PaddyPower gives 2,5 for a home win on level ball; Stake 5.