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Liverpool boss Brendan Rogers deserves a huge amount of credit, says Ed Chamberlin

Ed Chamberlin Football Presenter
Image: Ed Chamberlin says Super Sunday will be one to savour.

I'll be at Anfield on Super Sunday for what should be a terrific tussle between Liverpool and Manchester City.

They couldn't defend. Their new signings were no good. They could not compete without Luis Suarez. Some even doubted Brendan Rogers' future with Liverpool languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table. It's all very different now. 

Liverpool are on the longest current unbeaten run in the League (10 games), which has taken them to only two points off the top four. They were a huge price in December but Liverpool are now down to only 7/4 with Sky Bet to finish in those Champions League places. What a turnaround it has been. Rogers deserves a huge amount of credit.

Liverpool maager Brendan Rodgers
Image: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has his team in flying form.

It really is game on in the race for the top four now with just four points separating third from seventh and Sky Bet quoting those five sides at 11/2 or less. Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry both agreed on Super Sunday that Arsenal look certainties but anything could happen in the battle for the final place.

Liverpool were excellent at St Mary's. That was a proper away performance. They only had 40% of the possession but it was a display full of discipline and quality defending. A fifth consecutive away clean sheet for the first time in 30 years - much to Carragher's bemusement.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19:  Jordon Ibe of Liverpool goes past Olcay Sahan of Besiktas during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Liverp
Image: Jordon Ibe is an exciting prospect for Liverpool.

Jordon Ibe has made headlines for his attacking play but he showed a different and impressive side to his game as he repelled Eljero Elia, while Joe Allen is quietly starting to flourish in midfield.

Now for an acid test: Manchester City at Anfield on Super Sunday. The first part of a sensational day's football on Sky Sports with the Capital One Cup Final at Wembley to follow.

It should be a terrific tussle between two Premier League giants. It's a big game for City too who need to bounce back from Tuesday night's demoralising defeat to Barcelona as they have the incentive of a League double over Liverpool for the first time in 78 years -  Man City won 5-1 at home and 5-0 away in space of four days in March 1937 - which would close the gap at the top to two points and would be a major psychological blow. 

Live Ford Super Sunday

Having Yaya Toure back in the side is a big boost and they may well target Liverpool out wide. It was those areas where Southampton threatened to hurt Liverpool last weekend. It could be time for Jesus Navas to step up to the plate. On the left Rogers will have to choose between the attacking threat of Lazar Markovic, who he took off at half-time at St Mary's, or the better defender in Alberto Moreno. 

City seem to thrive playing on the road. They are the Premier League's best away team. They have the most wins (8), fewest defeats (1) and scored the most goals (30) in Premier League away games this season. It should be a titanic battle.

Harry Kane Tottenham
Image: Harry Kane will be popular to score in the final at 7/4.

Once we finish at Anfield I will throw to my good friend Simon Thomas at Wembley for the 2015 Capital One Cup Final. Another game with so many ingredients. Sky Bet have Chelsea as red hot 4/11 favourites to lift the trophy - whether it takes 90 minutes, extra-time or penalties - with Spurs at 2/1. I'm sure they will see a stack of money for Harry Kane to score at 7/4.

What a day of wall to wall, top quality football live on Sky Sports for us all to enjoy. Can't wait.

Cheltenham fever

The gossip from the plethora of Cheltenham Festival preview nights is in full swing. It's great fun. However, this is when you need to be disciplined as a punter and not follow up everything you hear. 

The picture will look very different on the day and value will be available left, right and centre. I'm really looking forward to being part of it all at the Sky Bet Cheltenham Preview night in Leeds next Wednesday, which I'm delighted to see is a sell-out already. Getting Rich Ricci's insight on his runners is going to be fascinating. Douvan, Faugheen, Annie Power, Vautour, Djakadam and Champagne Fever to name just a few.

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 14:  Racegoers watch the Cheltenham Gold Cup from the stands on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival on March 14, 2014 in C
Image: The Cheltenham Festival kicks off on March 10.

As well as the preview nights, the gravy train has been full steam ahead this week with stable visits and the weights announcement at HQ. I was pleased to read Nicky Henderson's positive bulletin about Ma Filleule, who is shortening all the time for the Ryanair. 

She'll thrive on good ground and back going left-handed so let's hope the rain stays away and temperatures warm up a bit too. The bad news for the ante-post portfolio emanating from Seven Barrows was Kilcrea Vale's likely absence from the Neptune. 

We wait to hear how he went in a gallop on Wednesday but it sounds like they have had a few problems with him and run out of time, which is frustrating as Kilcrea Vale is going to be very good.

I will preview all four days in the copy next week but at this stage Ma Filleule looks like my nap of the week, though if Kilcrea Vale doesn't run, Nichols Canyon will run her close. 

The Deloitte Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown will hold the key to my Cheltenham week. I'm convinced that was by far and away the best novice hurdle run so far this season. The jockeys who rode in the race say it was brutal from the off. 

What a contrast to the majority of small field, heavy ground, slowly run trials we have had in this country. Therefore, Alvisio Ville, who was a heavily backed favourite but could finish only third in the Deloitte, could be worth another chance in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Sky Bet are now non-runner no bet on the Supreme and 14/1 about Alvisio Ville looks a fair each-way price
Ed Chamberlin

This horse works like a Rolls Royce at home and while all the talk is that he will be dropped out to try and settle him, I'd like to see the handbrake let off and Alvisio Ville try to burn them all off a la Champagne Fever and Vautour in the last two renewals. Sky Bet are now non-runner no bet on their race and 14/1 about Alvisio Ville looks a fair each-way price.

Windsor Park was second at Leopardstown and looks capable of even better. Dermot Weld has hinted they will go for the Albert Bartlett if the ground is good. That would be great news as Windsor Park would be a standout bet in that contest and one less dangerous rival for the mighty Nichols Canyon in the Neptune. 

I've taken some of the 9/2 on Willie Mullins' charge and will step in again as soon as Sky Bet go NRNB. There's nothing flash about Nichols Canyon. He's not much to look at and doesn't set the gallops alight at home but when he gets on a racecourse he's a serious little machine. The new Inglis Drever according to his owner. I love that. He will relish the scrap in the Neptune. 

A dual Grade One winner already but not as flashy or fashionable as a Douvan, Faugheeen or Vautour, hence he's still available at 9/2 but my goodness Nichols Canyon has looked professional and talented.

If the Deloitte form turns out to be no good I'll be singing for my supper in two weeks time.

Cheltenham ante-post portfolio

Boston Bob - Gold Cup @ 16/1 

Hargam - Triumph @ 16/1 

Gilgamboa - Arkle @ 20/1 

Ma Filleule - Ryanair @ 20/1 

Kilcrea Vale - Neptune @ 16/1 

Mr Mole - Champion Chase @ 8/1 

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