England Premier League
Saturday 20th February 2021
Kick off at 5:30pm GMT
Venue: Anfield
Match Preview:
Of course these are always special occasions although there is no doubt that the Merseyside derby is a different beast without fans. Just imagine the roar of the Kop, however these are the times that we live in and the players are sure to still make this a special occasion.
Both clubs are in the hunt for a Champions League place and most of the focus has been on Liverpool who have been so dominant over the past 18 months but have collapsed over the last few months to let their title defence slip away. Liverpool come into this game 16 points behind league leaders Manchester City and honestly that boat has sailed and Liverpool will be trying to finish in a top 4 place now. Currently the Reds are in 6th place but are just two points from 4th however they come into this game having lost 3 games in a row.
At home Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost their last 3 games, which is an astounding fact given how they had gone over 60 games unbeaten at home. Indeed the club have not won at home since December. How Liverpool would love to break that chain against their fierce rivals. There has been some good news for Liverpool in midweek as they beat RB Leipzig 2-0 in the Champions League and the club have one foot in the quarter finals now. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane helped the club for their win and the strikers will feel that they needed that after the past few weeks. The game was in Budapest so the travelling wouldn’t have been ideal for Liverpool but they will naturally be ready for this game.
Everton had to play in midweek also as they lost 3-1 at home to Manchester City. If truth be told it was an expected loss the way that league leaders City have been playing and City deserved their victory. Richarlison though who has scored a few goals in recent weeks in all competitions did make the score 1-1 at one stage but City were simply too relentless. Everton have now lost 50% of their games at home although let’s concentrate on their away form for this weekend and the club have actually performed better on the road winning 7 games from 11 and losing just twice. Carlo Ancelotti’s side drew 3-3 against Manchester United in their last away game and they are undefeated for their last five trips.
Victory for Everton would mean they join Liverpool on the same points (40) although inferior goal difference would not be good enough to pass their rivals. But a win would also be a huge favour for the likes of Chelsea and West Ham for example and of course would boost Everton’s top 4 hopes.
Team News:
Liverpool: James Milner has a hamstring injury but it is thought to be minor and he will be assessed. Fabinho looks likely to miss this encounter with an ongoing muscle injury. Diogo Jota, Naby Keita and Virgil van Dijk are all ruled out long term.
Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin could return from a minor hamstring injury and will face a test. Yerry Mina could be the big loss for the club as he injured his calf in midweek and looks set to be ruled out for the weekend.
Liverpool vs Everton Head to Head:
Earlier in the season the clubs drew 2-2.
Last season Liverpool won this game 5-2.
Everton have not beaten Liverpool home or away since 2010.
3 of the last six league meetings has ended with the correct score of 0-0.
Liverpool vs Everton Prediction:
In some ways looking at Liverpool’s form you could think that this would be the perfect time for Everton to play them. But that win in midweek in the Champions League surely would have given Klopp’s team a boost and how long can they go without winning at home? The problem for Everton in a way is that Liverpool know that their league challenge is over and this match becomes in a mini cup final in its own right and Liverpool rarely lose finals.
At the same time one would imagine that Everton will be ready and up for this game despite their recent average form too. If they show the hunger and passion as they did earlier in the season perhaps they will be able to beat Liverpool for the first time in 11 years. But it’s very difficult to go against the home team, however at the same time Liverpool are around 1.50 to win that’s not the best of odds when you look at their form and that this is a derby, so it might be worth considering a -1 asian handicap. After their recent disappointments one would think that Everton will want to keep it tight at the back and give Liverpool a lot to think about and really make them work for the win, whether they can acheive that is another question.
Liverpool vs Everton Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (-1 Liverpool) at 1.725
Anytime goalscorer: Mohamed Salah at 1.62
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