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Byline: BY CHRIS HUTCHEON

SUCCESSIVE draws against Stoke, Everton and Wigan have seen Liverpool drift off the title pace prompting Betdirect to push them out to 8-1 in the betting.

So this afternoon's titanic clash with Luis Felipe Scolari's Chelsea, 9-2 (Stan James) to clinch top spot, takes on extra significance as the loser's hopes of landing the Premier League crown will be dealt a potentially fatal blow.

The Anfield showdown is 11-8 with bet365 to end in favour of the hosts while the Blues are quoted by Betdaq at 15-8. However, it would be far from a surprise if the spoils were shared, 2-10 Jenningsbet.

Subsequently, a third consecutive 1-1 scoreline at home could be on the cards for Liverpool - that result rated by Boylesports at 5-1 - and Betdaq's 4-6 for the teams to generate fewer than three goals appeals.

Shrewd punters may wish to cover a 1-0 home triumph as Liverpool.

WITHOUT a league win in five and having lost Michael Owen and Joey Barton to injury, Newcastle's preparations for this afternoon's showdown with local rivals Sunderland could hardly be described as ideal.

The Magpies' home advantage means they are slight favourites for the points at 8-5 with Blue Square but Ricky Sbragia's men have every reason to be confident and they look cracking value at 7-2 (Betfred) to sneak it by a one-goal margin.

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