LIVERPOOL host Everton on Wednesday in the Merseyside derby from Anfield. We asked Tom Love (@TomLove_18) to source the best bets from the Premier League encounter.
Liverpool v Everton | Wednesday 4th December 2019, 20:15 | Amazon Prime
We have a midweek Merseyside derby to look forward to, although I’m not sure the blue half of the city will be keen for it considering their current plight. A last-gasp Kelechi Iheanacho goal condemned Everton to their eighth defeat of the season, it was a sucker-punch for the already under-fire Marco Silva who surely has limited time left in the Goodison Park dugout.
The Toffees were largely decent in that game but the Foxes eventually ground them down and on the balance of play created the better opportunities. It’s not going to get any easier for Everton either with games against Manchester United and Chelsea on the horizon after their visit over Stanley Park on Wednesday night. I suppose there’s little pressure on the visitors here and you’d hope they’d be able to play with freedom, but the lack of confidence must be restricting ambition.
It’s chalk and cheese between these two old foes. Liverpool took advantage of Manchester City once again dropping points and in doing so extended their lead to 11 points from last season's champions and they still have an eight-point lead over Leicester.
The Reds have an incredibly busy month ahead of them and squad rotation from Jurgen Klopp will be key. They’ll have to do without midfield lynchpin Fabinho for that stretch after he went off injured last week, it could mean a deeper lying role for Jordan Henderson or Gini Wijnaldum, alternatively the ever-reliable James Milner can deputise.
Klopp’s charges have been impressively pragmatic and have won all manner of games by a variety of scenarios. Largely they have dogged it out and they’ve won by a single goal in eight of their wins this season which shows their ability to keep possession and see the game out as well as their constant endeavour to win.
Interestingly, the European champions have won by the 2-1 scoreline in seven of their 13 wins this season. It was also the scoreline against Everton at the weekend and a repeat can be backed at a handsome 8/1 with BetVictor and is worthy of a small stake.
I would say the safer bet is the 4/5 (Ladbrokes) on a home win and Under 4.5 Goals. Seven of Everton’s eight defeats in the league have seen fewer than five goals whereas 12 of Liverpool’s 13 wins have seen Under 4.5 cop, so it looks a worthy boost in price from the 2/5 outright in order to get a bit more bang for your buck.
With this being a derby you’d expect the cards to have flown in meetings gone by, however it’s not been as prevalent as you’d probably imagine. I’ve got a feeling that will change here and there’s one main reason behind my thinking, Mr Michael Dean. The Wirral-born character almost plays a pantomime act when he’s in charged, he loves the limelight and he’s great entertainment.
Dean has dished out 52 cards in his 11 Premier League games this season, an average of 4.73 cards per-game, one of the highest in the league. What’s also interesting is his penchant to give out the cautions on quite an even spread. In eight of his last nine games he’s given both sides at least two cards which is an interesting quirk.
Given that this is a derby after all, I have to back Both Teams Over 1 Card (11/10 Bet365). With Dean’s record and the fact this is a derby I expected a lot shorter, I’d back it blind at over even-money when Mike has the whistle.
Best Bets
Liverpool v Everton – Liverpool to win and Under 4.5 Goals (4/5 Ladbrokes)
Liverpool v Everton – Both Teams Over 1 Card (11/10 Bet365)
Liverpool v Everton – Liverpool to win 2-1 (8/1 BetVictor)
