Everton welcome title-chasing Liverpool to Goodison Park for what should be an emotional Merseyside derby. This game could have been played at a neutral venue, but local and football authorities gave it the green light to go ahead, despite the apparent risk of local fans gathering at the stadium. The Reds could claim their first league title since 1990, so there is bound to plenty of passion in the air, even at an empty stadium. Read on to find out where the best betting value lies in what should be a cracking game of Premier League football.
It is fair to say that Carlo Ancelotti’s team will not be relishing facing a team with the attacking power of the Reds. The Toffees have been one of the Premier League’s least effective defensive units in 2019/20, with the sixth-worst defensive record in the division. In their last game before lockdown, the Blues were hammered 4-0 away at Chelsea. Currently in 12th place in the table with 37 points, they will be hoping for a big game from Brazilian striker Richarlison, who has 12 Premier League goals to his name this season. He is priced at 9/4 by Betway to score at any time on Sunday.
If Manchester City fail to win against Arsenal this week, the Reds can claim the Premier League crown that their fans have craved for so long. Jurgen Klopp’s side have been in imperious form this season, though they did suffer a shock 3-0 defeat away at Watford in the penultimate game before lockdown. They were soon back on track though, and headed into the enforced break with a solid 2-1 home win over Bournemouth. The Reds have scored 66 goals in the Premier League this season, second only to Manchester City. Betway have odds of 17/10 on there being more than 3.5 goals in Sunday’s game.
We strongly suspect that there will be a lot of goals in this game, given how strong Liverpool are in attack and how weak the Toffees have been at the back this season. That does not mean that Everton won’t score, though. They have some threat in attack themselves too. We think the 5-2 result at Anfield earlier in the season is a pretty indicator about what might happen on Sunday. Klopp’s team are very strong away from home, having lost just two league games on the road this season. They had lost four games in their last six before lockdown, though, so will have been glad of the enforced break in some ways. They will surely be champing at the bit to get stuck in on Sunday evening. They also knocked Everton out of the FA Cup in January with a 1-0 win at Anfield.
Reds have the edge
When it comes to the Premier League history between the teams, Liverpool have a clear edge. Out of the 55 Premier League encounters between the Reds and the Blues, Liverpool have won 24, with 10 of those victories coming at Goodison Park. Everton have won just nine, with seven of those being home wins. There have been 22 draws. At Anfield earlier this season, Liverpool were convincing winners, with that 5-2 scoreline highlighting the attacking power that Klopp’s team possesses. Divock Origi scored two goals that day, with the others coming from Xherdan Shaquiri, Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Mane could well be the man to watch on Sunday evening at Goodison. The Senegalese forward has done well in recent times in games against the Toffees. He has scored in three games against the Reds’ local rivals. His attacking compadres Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah were missing in that 5-2 victory, and neither has a great record against the Toffees. Firmino has never scored against Everton, while Salah has only one goal against the Blues to his name. Mane is 4/1 with Betway to score first on Sunday.
The five most recent results
Everton vs.
05 Jan 20
Everton away, 1-0 (FA Cup)
04 Dec 19
Everton away, 5-2
03 Mar 19
Everton home, 0-0
02 Dec 18
Everton away, 1-0
07 Apr 18
Everton home, 0-0
Our betting tip for today
Our prediction for this game is that Liverpool will run out winners by two clear goals. The break came at a good time for the Reds, who are sure to have used the time off to recharge their batteries. If Manchester City fail to win against Arsenal on Wednesday, the Reds could claim the title with a win on Sunday, and that is sure to provide some powerful motivation. Everton could well end up as the sacrificial victims in a triumphant victory celebration, not something that Toffees fans will relish at all. Our recommended tip comes from Betway, who have a price of 21/10 on Liverpool to win and both teams to score.
Tip:
Liverpool to win, both teams to score
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