Football latest: Merseyside double

Merseyside's two most popular clubs are in live action on Sunday and both Liverpool and Everton can be trusted to come away from tough matches with wins against Bolton and Portsmouth respectively.

Click here for a free $600 welcome bonus when you join Paddy Power Poker

Liverpool kick off in the earlier fixture (13:30 Setanta) and need a win to put the pressure on their local rivals, whom they will replace in fourth place on goal difference ahead of the match at Goodison Park (16:00 Sky).

The Reds will have their work cut out to break down a Bolton side, who have returned to their old impregnable ways since the arrival of Gary Megson. The Trotters have pulled off remarkable results in Europe, holding Bayern Munich and beating Crvena Zvezda and Atletico Madrid in the Uefa Cup.

However, Wanderers were trounced 4-1 by Blackburn last Sunday, while Liverpool's tails have been up since their morale-boosting win against Inter Milan. Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano were both superb in the recent 3-2 win against Middlesbrough and with Rafa Benitez hinting he might actually not tink with his line-up for once, the Reds can be trusted not to slip up this time.

Everton won't have it easy either against a Portsmouth side who have stayed the course of the campaign admirably despite losing key players to the African Nations Cup last month. Sulley Muntari has been a fantastic buy, and along with Lassana Diarra has strengthened an already decent midfield.

However, Everton are serious top-four contenders this season and are a tough nut to crack on home soil, where only Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool (fortuitously) have lowered their colours. Neither side score many goals – they drew 0-0 earlier this season - and this will be close another close contest but of the two sides Everton have the sharper cutting edge.

The Toffees have scored five more than Sunday's visitors and although Jermain Defoe has made a promising start at the south-coast club, Yakubu is in fantastic form. Despite spending seven weeks away in Africa the Everton striker has managed 18 goals in all competitions and he will relish the chance add to his tally against his former side.

Verdict: 2pts Liverpool and Everton to win @ 2.3/1; 2pts H-T/F-T Draw/Everton @ 7/2; 1pt Yakubu first goalscorer @ 9/2 (Paddy Power)

Click here for a free $600 welcome bonus when you join Paddy Power Poker