THE Champions League continues on Wednesday as Liverpool entertain Manchester City in a mouthwatering all-English quarter-final first leg tie from Anfield. Dan McCulloch (@danmcc84) shares his best bet.
Liverpool v Manchester City | Wednesday 4th April 2018, 19:45 | BT Sport
So often games between the best teams in the land end up being disappointing affairs but I really struggle to see that being the case at Anfield.
Liverpool's league games this term have averaged just over 3.40 goals per-game whilst City's average more than 3.50 per-game. The two clubs have been similarly entertaining in the Champions League, the Reds have seen 43 goals across their 10 matches whilst the net has bulged on 26 occasions during City's eight games.
Given that they are 18 points behind their opponents, it is not too surprising that Liverpool are 9/4 underdogs to emerge victorious from this two-legged affair but at the current prices I think they are the value in this particular encounter.
Much has been made about the atmosphere at Anfield on European nights but that was only a marginal factor in to my decision-making. Having watched Liverpool beat City at home and cause the Citizens plenty of problems at The Etihad before Sadio Mane was sent off, I simply feel that given that the 119/100 Marathon are offering on Liverpool Draw No Bet is too big.
Jurgen Klopp's side have lost just once at home all season and I would have expected closer to even-money on such a bet.
Given both sides general goalscoring stats and the fact that there were 12 goals in their two league games, I would not put anyone off from backing Over 2.5 Goals at 4/6. However, there are two players in the anytime goalscorer market that make greater appeal.
Mo Salah is a fairly obvious choice given that he has scored 37 goals in 41 appearances and I like the look of Marathon's 7/5 on the Egyptian finding the net in 90 minutes. He has troubled City's backline in both encounters this season and scored in the 4-3 victory.
Overall, he has scored in six of his nine matches against other members of the Big Six and I think this bet makes excellent value.
Leroy Sane possesses the ability to match the kind of stats we have seen from Sane this season although it is worth remembering that the German only turned 22 in January. Like Salah, he possesses explosive pace and 13 goals in 41 appearances is a decent return.
Paddy Power are a standout 11/4 on him finding the net and as he has already found the net at Anfield, Goodison and The Emirates this campaign, I believe he has the temperament, ability and confidence to make light of these odds.
Best Bets
Liverpool v Manchester City – Liverpool draw no bet (119/100 Marathon)
Liverpool v Manchester City – Mo Salah to score at anytime (7/5 Marathon)
Liverpool v Manchester City – Leroy Sane to score at anytime (11/4 Paddy Power
