WILL Steven Gerrard go out on an Anfield high? Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) previews the game.
Liverpool v Crystal Palace | Saturday 17:30 | Sky Sports 1
It's all about one man on Saturday. Yes, Steven Gerrard lines up for the last time at Anfield in this match against Crystal Palace and as you can imagine the Merseyside club are a short price to send him off on a high.
Is there any room for sentiment in betting? Well, if you have to even ask that question you must be a poor punter. In more ways than one! No, is the defiant answer and that's why I'm keen to find an angle on Crystal Palace at chunky prices.
Liverpool are 1/2 to win this match and on recent form they've no right to be that price. One win in five in all competitions is what Brendan Rodgers' side have produced over the last month with their sole (late) victory coming against woeful QPR. It ain't been pretty.
Sure, they played well against Chelsea on Sunday, but that was predictable with the spotlight on them and their opponents on the bridle after already clinching the title.
For me, it's been a couple of months since Liverpool played really well. Let's not forget the humping from Arsenal, the Cup humiliation from Villa and the humbling from Hull. Yeah, 1/2 eh?
Of course Palace have hardly been in great form. Four defeats in a row, although there's definitely been improvement in the final two games against Chelsea and Manchester United. A fifth defeat in a row? Well, a man so in love with himself like Alan Pardew will find that prospect thoroughly unwelcome.
Let's also factor in Palace's record against Liverpool – it's quite impressive. They've won four of the last eight meetings and haven't lost back-to-back matches against the Reds since 1997/98. Oh and there's the 1990 FA Cup Semi-Finals, oh and there's last season's epic dream-crushing tear-stained 3-3 draw at Selhurst Park.
But what about Stevie G? Jesus, when has anything gone that guy's way over the last 13 months?! The slip, the horrid header against Uruguay, the WTF sending off against Manchester United, the breakdown of his relationship with Liverpool…
So I can back Crystal Palace at odds against getting a goal on the Asian Handicap? Sign me up. It's 7/6 with BetVictor.
Best Bets
Liverpool v Crystal Palace – Crystal Palace +1 Asian Handicap (7/6 BetVictor)
8/1 Steven Gerrard Scores
It's his last game at Anfield and you can back him at 8/1 to score anytime.
Just join Betfair this weekend and you'll get those 8/1 odds.
