Stan James saw enough in last weekend's controversial Merseyside derby to install Liverpool as slender 8/13 favourites as they host Newcastle.

Although Alan Pardew's men haven't exactly impressed of late, only Manchester United and Chelsea have beaten them in any competition this term and the stubborn Magpies can pick up a result at Anfield.

Bet365 rate United at 11/2 to win and William Hill price a fourth consecutive away draw at 3/1 while Ladbrokes' 7/1 for it to finish one apiece is set to attract cash, alongside that stalemate quote.

Wavering travelling fans can back the Magpies at 5/4 in Skybet's handicaps, where they benefit from a goal start and BetVictor rate Newcastle at 18/5 in the draw no bet market.

More optimistic fans however, will be buoyed by Liverpool's 3-1 home defeat to Swansea in midweek.

For them, Stan James offer 7/1 about an away victory by a solitary strike, bet365 mark 14/1 against a United success after an even first half and it's also 14/1, this time via BetVictor, for a 1-0 triumph.

Papiss Cisse meanwhile, will be well-backed at 9/1 with bet365 to fire the opener after his deflected winner last weekend.

Sunderland have drawn six of their eight matches in the Premier League this term so Paddy Power's 5/2 marked against a stalemate as the Black Cats entertain Aston Villa is bound to prove popular.

Martin O'Neill's men are the top flight's lowest scorers meaning money will come in for both a goalless encounter at 9/1 with Skybet and Stan James' 17/4 for both halves to finish all square.

Bookies, however, think Sunderland have the edge on their own patch, bet365 installing them as even money favourites and Betfred classing the visitors as 3/1 outsiders.

The Black Cats' lack of goals should make for a close encounter and BetVictor quote 6/1 for O'Neill's troops to sneak it 1-0 against his former club while Ladbrokes price a home win by a one-goal margin at 3/1 and it's 17/4 (BetVictor) for Sunderland to produce a rousing second half display to seal victory having gone in on level terms at the break.

Skybet's 8/11 for the scorers to be troubled fewer than three times looks like banker material but Steven Fletcher will have other ideas, he's 4/1 (William Hill) to fire the opener.

Middlesbrough have won five on the spin in all competitions, culminating in an impressive Capital One Cup triumph at Sunderland on Tuesday, yet Tony Mowbray's men are BetVictor's 2/1 outsiders as they head to Charlton, narrow favourites at 6/4 via Paddy Power.

Skybet quote a stalemate at 12/5 at the Valley, where William Hill price a 2-2 scoreline at 14/1 but with Boro in such fine form they will head to South London in confident mood and bet365 post an enticing 10/1 against a 2-1 away success.

Stan James offer odds of 17/4 about Boro taking a lead in at the end of each half, Ladbrokes quote a victory by a margin of one at 7/2 while Scott McDonald's form is likely to see punters piling into him in the first scorer market at a generous 7/1 (bet365).

Hartlepool's struggles in League One can be put to one side this afternoon as they head to Chesterfield in the FA Cup first round but they're BetVictor's 9/4 outsiders to secure a second round berth at the first attempt and 23/10 with Paddy Power to earn a replay.

Odds supplied by www.betrescue.com.

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