Jay Spearing is likely to be a key figure for Liverpool as he replaces Lucas at Fulham this weekend
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Liverpool had some bad news this week when midfielder Lucas, perhaps the most improved player in the Premier League in the past three years, was ruled out for the rest of the season. He has been an integral part in their improvement this season and he will be sorely missed.
However, Kenny Dalglish has a much better squad than he did when he inherited the side 11 months ago and even with Steven Gerrard not yet ready to come back, he should be able to fill the hole with Jay Spearing, who played in the win over Chelsea in the Carling Cup in midweek.
Spearing is not as good as Lucas, but he is decent and alongside Charlie Adam and with the likes of Dirk Kuyt and Stewart Downing on the flanks, doing good tracking back work, he should not be over-exposed. All this is building to the fact that Liverpool can be the bet of the weekend at 6/5 with bet365 to win at Fulham.
Liverpool have actually struggled against Fulham at times in the past few years, with a number of goalless draws at Anfield. But they won 5-2 there in May and this season, they have looked more dangerous on the road than at home. That will surely change over the course of the season, but the way they set up, to hit sides on the counter-attack, is highly effective and in Luis Suarez, they have someone no defender wants to face.
The bad news for Fulham is that as well as he has been playing, he is due a goal. Throw in the fact that Craig Bellamy, so devastated by the death of Wales coach Gary Speed last weekend, wants to repay Dalglish for the understanding he showed him in leaving him out a week ago, and the Fulham defenders could be in for a torrid time. Fulham have lost twice at home already this season and the 6/5 is too good a price to miss.
Liverpool dealt Chelsea two blows in the space of 10 days with wins over them in the league and then Carling Cup. And though the Blues were good enough to beat Wolves at home last weekend, they could find Newcastle a far tougher nut to crack.
Whatever the reasons, Chelsea just are not firing on all cyclinders at the moment. Fernando Torres is not scoring but is hardly being given the chance to; Didier Drogba looks past his best and Frank Lampard can't do it all on his own in midfield. But their biggest problem is in defence where David Luiz is a liability and where they look likely to concede at any moment.
Betting bullets
- Bet of the weekend: Liverpool to win at Fulham - 6/5 bet365
- The weekend punt: Newcastle United to beat Chelsea - 14/5 bet365
- The weekend treble: Arsenal, Everton and Wolves to win - 6/1 bet365
Newcastle have done superbly so far this season and though they will probably end up around seventh (looking at the sides around them), they are well capable of adding to Chelsea's misery by beating them this weekend. They have real pace in attack, a fighting team spirit and a defence that has held up well to date. They don't deserve to be as long as 14/5 at home and that has to be the weekend punt.
Arsenal's recent winning run ended last weekend with a draw at home to Fulham and they then lost to Manchester City in the Carling Cup in midweek. However, they were excellent in that game and can get back to winning ways by triumphing at Wigan this weekend, with their price of 4/7 good enough to begin the weekend treble.
Everton have picked themselves up as everyone expected them to after a tough start to the season and have won back to back games. They can make it three on the bounce in the Premier League by winning at home at 8/11 against Stoke, who have lost four of their six away matches this season.
Finally Sunderland sacked manager Steve Bruce in midweek, thus giving us a chance to use the "new manager syndrome" once they actually replace him. Until they do, though, they look hugely vulnerable and Wolves can take advantage by beating them at home at 7/5.
Put Arsenal, Everton and Wolves together in a treble and you get around 6/1 which would be rather nice. Good luck!
RUNNING TOTAL (as of December 2): -14.20pts
(Based on: 3pts stake for bet of weekend and 1pt per weekend punt and weekend treble
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondent
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Simon Cambers
Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondant Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondant
