Liverpool continues chase for Champions League slot

Now that its hopes of beating other clubs to the English Premier League is over, fifth place Liverpool will go for the jugular when it welcomes local rivals Everton to Anfield on Saturday to keep up its contention for a champions league slot.

Both clubs are currently enjoying a reversal of fortunes. The two clubs are yet to loss a match with Liverpool FC claiming victories in four of their last six games and Everton four from their last nine.

The Reds which have accumulated three successive clean sheets and have not suffered any defeat since losing 2-0 at Portsmouth in December seems ready to maintain their good run into the club's derby encounter with Everton.

Apparently keen to winning the derby, termed the friendly derby due to its lack of fan violence in the 116 years it has been contested, Rafa Benitez has ordered his boys to be more adventurous in the attack.

"You have to keep analysing the big picture," Benitez told the club's official website.

"If every week you think it is one step forward then one step back, you will become very nervous. So it is important to keep a perspective and giving confidence to the players. We have just had another win [versus Bolton] and another clean sheet. That is a positive.

"Okay, it wasn't as good in attack as we want it to be but we have to keep pushing and we know can improve. We need more positives than negatives. We are doing much better in defense and that is a big difference but we have to improve in attack - that is clear." With the Reds defense maestros Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Jamie Carragher at the right back, Carra and Martin Kelly keeping at bay Everton's goal merchants Saha, Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini. The onus will be on Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerard to keep the fire burning for Liverpool.

Relegation battles continues

In the other league matches, relegation threatened teams take on the big boys of the league as Portsmouth travels to Manchester United. With England's number one striker Wayne Rooney, who scored six goals in Manchester's last three matches to make his season's 20th goal in sparkling form, Portsmouth may just be in for the goal-bashing.

Pompey is rooted at the bottom of the league and has picked up a solitary point in their last six games.

Burnley, currently placed 19th on the league table, will hope to move out of the relegation zone when it host West Ham at the Turf Moor. The hosts, who recently hired Brian Laws as coach, have not won a match in their last 12 league games.

With a squad which includes the Clarets new signings: David Nugent, Chelsea youngster Jack Cork and French forward Frederic Nimani, Laws can look forward to at least a draw against the visitors. However, this hope may just be dampened by Burnley's injury list.

Graham Alexander is out due to calf strain, Chris McCann (knee) and Steven Caldwell (groin) while Christian Kalvenes lasted just 35 minutes of the 2-1 loss to Chelsea due to a hamstring problem.

With three new strikers in his side, West Ham manager, Gianfranco Zola, selection might be a problem. Zola's options include former Blackburn Rovers striker, Benni McCarthy, Brazilian Ilan and Egypt international Mido, who signed a 1000 pounds a week contract, and Carlton Cole.

Struggling for two differing purposes Hull City will try to cage visiting Manchester City at the Kingston Community Stadium on Saturday.

Hull, who is battling to move out of the relegation, is in an upbeat mood following their draw in the midweek encounter with Chelsea. Despite Tuesday night's draw, Hull are yet to win a match in 10 games and pulling one over Manchester City who are driving hard for a Champions League slot looks like a dream.

City, which have lost only two games in their last 15 league matches, are in sixth position but have two games in hand over Tottenham Hotspur, who currently occupy the fourth Champions League place, and are just two points adrift of their London rivals.

With 12 goal hero, Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor who has seven goals to his credit in the attack, City looks unbelievably dangerous to Hull hopes.

Other matches

Bolton Wanderers are currently not in the relegation zone but are hovering in the 16th position with two games in hand and an 11 goal difference over 18th placed Hull City. And when they welcome Fulham to the Reebok Stadium, the Owen Coyle knows only a win will aid their current plight.

Stoke City welcomes Blackburn Rovers to the Britannia Stadium, as Wigan Athletic travels to Sunderland's Stadium of light hoping to swap their 14th position with their host's 13th. At white Hart Lane, 4th placed Tottenham Hotspurs will try to keep its hopes of playing in the Champions League alive when Aston Villa come visiting.

Serie A Juve seeks survival at Livorno

Juventus, which is presently in the 5th position with 34 points behind Napoli, must pull a win against Livorno at the Armando Picchi Stadium to stay adrift in the Serie A.

Zaccheroni, who made his debut with a 1-1 draw after Ciro Ferrara was sacked will hope that forward Amauri would improve his scoring chances while Buffon stop conceding many goals and stopping penalties.

The stats, however, favours Juventus to win. Livorno and Juventus have played 33 games with Juve grabbing 24 victories and Livorno three victories for Livorno and six draws.

David Trezeguet, Alessandro Del Piero and Amauri will have to score goals for the visitors while hoping the team do not miss Grygera and Mohamed Sissoko, who are on suspension.

Also, the match is an important one for Captain Del Piero. The Italian striker is making his 444th appearance with Juventus, a record which is currently held by Giampiero Boniperti and will do anything to make sure the day ends favourably.

Still, Livorno is capable of grabbing a victory against their visitors. The Serse Cosmi managed team pulled a 1-1 draw when they visited AC Milan at the San Siro last Sunday.

Parma aims for an upset at Palermo

The Renzo Barbera Stadium, home turf of Palermo, will come alive on Saturday when 12th place Parma come visiting.

Statistically, Parlemo seems to hold all the aces in the clash having won 16 matches and 13 draws in the previous 39 encounters between the two teams. Parma won only 10 matches out of the encounters. Moreso, Palermo is yet to lose a match at the Barbera since March 1, 2009 when it lost 4-0 to Catania at the Sicilian Derby.

However, with Bojinov in Parma's squad alongside new signing Argentinean forward Hernan Crespo, who transferred from Genoa, Parma may cause an upset or get a draw.