Premier League betting – Liverpool vs Everton

Liverpool vs Everton betting preview

Saturday lunchtime sees the 182nd top flight Merseyside derby contested between Liverpool and neighbours Everton at Anfield. Rafa Benitez’s men will be aiming to complete a 12th league double over the Toffees live in front of the Sky cameras, as they look to leapfrog Spurs into that fourth Champions League spot. The home side are 4/5 favourites with Sky Bet to extend their unbeaten run in the league to seven games; the visitors are best priced at 4s and the draw pays out at 12/5.

Only Stanley Park separates the two teams in geographical proximity but a 9 point gap exists between the two clubs in the Premier League. However, both teams have been in good form of late, the reds are now just one point behind Spurs in 5th, a feat which seemed unlikely after their poor start to the campaign. Couple their sluggish start to the season with their early Champions League exit and some disgruntled fans were calling for Benitez’s head.

Everton manager David Moyes meanwhile, will have been buoyed by his sides battling 1-0 victory away at Wigan last weekend. Tim Cahill’s headed winner continued Everton’s great winning streak which stretched to nine unbeaten and lifted the Toffees into 9th place. Quite a turnaround considering the Goodison Park club were only 2 points clear of the relegation zone in early December. The return of influential midfielder Mikel Arteta will provide added impetus and creativity they have sorely missed thus far.

A tense affair might be expected on Saturday if recent results are anything to go by. Both sides are bidding to keep fourth successive clean sheets in the league and the goalless draw at 9s with Paddy Power may see some cash. However, Merseyside Derbies are often fiery affairs and with local pride at stake I think both sides will be playing for all three points. Moyes’ men will want to avenge the reverse fixture defeat which saw Liverpool come away from Goodison with a 2-0 win. With Fernando Torres out injured, Local boy Steven Gerrard will be rallying his troops to topple the Toffees and is a good bet at 11/2 to open the scoring and add to his 5 goals already this term. Everton’s main goal threat well lies with Tim Cahill and he has a habit of scoring important goals so lump on the Aussie star at 9s to breach the Liverpool rearguard.

Personally I think this one will be a tight affair but I think Liverpool will make home advantage count and claim victory by the odd goal in this hotly contested local derby. Liverpool are 6/1 to win by a solitary goal but are good value at 13/2 to win  2-0 considering they have amassed this score line no fewer than five times already this term, four of those at Anfield. The referee will be in for long 90 minutes as recent encounters have been marred by sendings off with 17 red cards in the Premier League. This is the highest tally for any fixture and Betfair are offering a plausible 19/10 that someone receives their marching orders.

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