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Premiership Betting: Nothing to play for may signal goals...

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Andrew French looks ahead to Man City's trip to Anfield. With little to play for it may well end up being an open game so getting on goals may be the way forward...

Heard the one about the manager that everyone wanted sacked from his last job, but then everyone was stunned when he got sacked from his next job?

Okay, it needs some work - but so did Manchester City when Sven Goran Eriksson took over in June 2007 and yet it still appears the former England boss is about to be axed.

I was never a fan of Eriksson during his time as England manager, but I wonder how many of the City faithful really feel comfortable with the way he is apparently being treated? He arrived at Eastlands to inherit a City side that had just scrambled clear of relegation and had won a paltry five home league games, scoring a measly 10 times in front of their own fans all season.

He was given money, and spend it he did - but then which managers in the top flight these days don't get a bundle of cash . . . and many have made worse use of it than Sven.

Perhaps you could say City have been disappointing in the second half of the season, but they will finish no worse than ninth and possibly a place or two higher.

But above all else, it's only been a year . . . although if he leans across to the next-door dug-out at Anfield on Sunday, Eriksson will be able to speak to someone who can empathise totally in just what can happen during 12 months in football.

Rafa Benitez really has had a time of it. Depending on which owner you listen to, he's got total job security or he'll be on the next bus out of Merseyside. Managing a club when your own personal future is the subject of other people's not-so-private meetings can't be easy.

So, it's all set to be a right jolly old get together this one, with Liverpool's failure to reach the Champions League Final the last ingredient for the perfect end-of-season knees-up.

What's more, there isn't very much to play for either. Liverpool have secured fourth spot, and City can't reach fifth.

Perhaps, then, with the shackles off and everyone knowing pretty much where there will finish the season, we could see two sides displaying a devil-may-care attitude and 90 minutes of open, attacking football? History doesn't point in that direction, as the last six meetings between these clubs have not produced more than a goal.

However, I think both sides will let their hair down a bit, and Over 2.5 goals at [2.08] appeals.

Liverpool have won their last seven Premiership matches at Anfield, apparently shaking off the problems that led them to draw four of their five opening home games - a sequence that left them off the pace in the race for the title from the very outset.

It's hard to see beyond them rounding off their home schedule with a win this weekend, especially as City looked somewhat brittle last weekend as they let a 2-0 lead slip at home to struggling Fulham.

The Reds can be backed at [1.75], with laying City at [4.0] a reasonable option if you think this could peter out into an end-of-season stalemate.

However, my feeling is that Liverpool will come flying out of the blocks. They'll want to put their midweek European misery behind them as quickly as possible - therefore, I'm expecting them to get ahead and stay ahead, so Liverpool/Liverpool in the half-time/full-time market at [2.84] is a larger-priced alternative to getting with the Reds in the Match Odds market.

Alongside that, covering a goal in the first 20 minutes (0 to 10 at [4.4] and 11 to 20 at [5.0]) is worth consideration.

If you want something which may offer a larger pay-out, then Liverpool to win 3-0 at [15.5] could be the one, although if you're prepared to follow me in a leap of faith that this will be a 'no pressure' and very open end-of-season game, then covering Any Unquoted at [11.5] wouldn't be a bad idea. You're looking for Liverpool to score four or more, something they have done 10 times already at Anfield this season.

Lastly, a smaller price but understandably so: Fernando Torres to score. Of his 31 goals this season, 23 have come in home games, and he's banged in 11 in his last eight outings at Anfield.