Picking the outcome of tonight’s Merseyside derby is by no
means a cut and dry affair with both teams having been forced to make major
changes, but if there’s one thing that we can be confident on, it’s goals.The Merseyside derby has always been a widely anticipated
affair but with Manchester United’s troubles this season opening up a rare
potential spot in the Champions League places, this is an absolutely vital game
with just one point separating the two sides.
Cases can be made for all three outcomes but a recurring
theme of Liverpool’s season has been goals – and lots of them. In scoring 53
goals, (one of just two sides in the Premiership to have achieved that marker),
they’ve scored 10 more than any other side in the league baring Manchester City
today and have already repaired the benefit of the return of Daniel Sturridge
from a long injury to reform a partnership alongside the outstanding Luis
Suarez upfront. Sturridge has scored in his last two league games and also hit
the scoresheet in Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Bournemouth, linking with Suarez
handsomely at Stoke.
Everton haven’t won at Anfield since 1990 although several
key injures for Brendan Rodgers’ men, especially that of Lucas Leiva, present
an opening for an Everton side that hasn’t suffered at all for the departure of
the now much maligned David Moyes. Steven Gerrard’s return, coinciding with the
absence of Leiva, has presented a rather uncomfortable dilemma for Rodgers with
Liverpool performing abysmally for 50 minutes when Aston Villa visited with
Gerrard in a deep lying role, while defensive injuries also leave them
vulnerable. Everton’s small squad, albeit a talented one, has been hindered by
the big blows of injuries to Seamus Coleman and Slyvin Distin, leaving the 19
year old John Stones to defend against one of the best partnerships in England.
The midfield imbalance makes it hard to get ensured about
the 5/6 on Liverpool despite their excellent home record, while over 2.5 goals
looks just too short to back at 4/7, but the 23/10 on Liverpool taking all
three point without a clean sheets for the sixth time at home this season does
have a certain appeal. Liverpool at 8/11 with Stan James to score 2 or more
goals, something they’ve done eight times solely at home this season, which
looks tempting with the defensive changeup – especially as they’ve let in just
20 this season, while over 3.5 is a tempting 13/10 shot with the two having put
three past eachother in the reverse.
Advice
1 pt Over 3.5 goals (13/10 Bet365)
1 pt Liverpool to win and over 2.5 goals (23/10 Bet365)
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