Will you be taking the 8/11 that the Reds lead at half-time and full-time?

It’s been a miserable week for Liverpool supporters in what has largely been a miserable season. The fact that the team aren’t competing for the Premier League and Champions League must be galling enough for the fans, although the Reds are as big as 10/3 (bet365) to finish in the top four of the table after last Monday’s 1-0 defeat at Wigan.

Therefore, victory is absolutely imperative against a Portsmouth team whose fate was effectively sealed many weeks ago when the prospect of administration became a real one. Paddy Power put their heads above the parapet to offer 2/7 that the Merseyside team oblige and keep alive the flickering flame that represents Champions League football next term.

It’s the Irish firm who typically go best price about Rafael Benitez’s team leading at half-time and full-time, offering 8/11 that they come up trumps. However, Pompey have nothing to lose from their trip to Anfield and this could play into their favour against opponents very much feeling the pressure. Bet365 offer 12/1 that the unthinkable happens for Kop season ticket holders and Avram Grant’s team come away with the three points.

The visitors have already beaten Liverpool at Fratton Park, with Frederic Piquionne running riot against the Reds in December. The Frenchman is 12/1 (bet365) to break the deadlock, while Jamie O’Hara (33/1 bet365) is in the sort of form that makes you wonder why Spurs have allowed him to go out to Fratton Park on loan.

Although Fernando Torres (3/1 Coral) is due to be back on the scoresheet soon (it always helps when you have some quality service!), it’s hard to see Liverpool winning this match by an emphatic scoreline, with the Reds having failed to score three goals in a Premier League match since September. Therefore, Victor Chandler’s 11/2 that the Reds win by a 2-0 scoreline fits the bill.