Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
When Roy Hodgson takes his Crystal Palace to Anfield on Saturday, the league leaders will be under no illusion they are in for a serious test.
On the face of it, Premier League: Liverpool vs Crystal Palace has all the hallmarks of a home win, but life is never that simple when you are at the top of the league. Hodgson is one of the best managers in the game and knows Liverpool well, having previously coached the Reds in the Premier League. And he has the players to spring a surprise, as Manchester City will painfully testify.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have had an amazing first half of the season, but it will mean very little if they don’t hold on to their four-point lead over the champions. SBOBET Premier League 2019 looks like going down to the wire with Liverpool at odds of 1.68 to lift the Premier League trophy in May, and Manchester City at 2.20 to retain it.
The Reds must win this game to stay in control as Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues take a trip to virtually doomed Huddersfield. Fail to do so, and the gap will almost certainly be down to two points. And when the Anfield faithful were talking about a ten-point lead only two weeks ago, now that is pressure!
Talking Points
Liverpool’s stretched defence
The Reds needed a Mo Salah penalty to squeeze past Brighton last week by a narrow 1-0 margin. That’s taken the Egyptian on to 14 league goals already and he is sure to add plenty more before May alongside Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
But while Klopp’s front-line has been in prolific form again, he has had a few headaches at the back. Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren are still out injured, and while Joel Matip is nearing fitness, the Reds have been dealt another blow with Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined for a month. The versatile James Milner could step in to cover, and Brazilian midfielder Fabinho is another option, having deputised capably at centre-back in last week’s win over Brighton.
But the most important player at the club right now is Virgil van Dijk. Since his arrival from Southampton a year ago, the towering defender has played 50 games, of which have featured 24 clean sheets. The £75m Liverpool spent looks like a bargain now as Van Dijk has become one of the best centre-backs in world football. The Reds have conceded less than a goal a game in his time, and has a win percentage of 66 per cent, compared to 52 per cent in Liverpool’s previous 50 games.
The Eagles can take a big scalp
Van Dijk, and whoever is alongside him, will need to be on his game on Saturday because the Eagles are a dangerous side. Despite struggling at the wrong end of the table, Roy Hodgson’s team pulled off the result of the season by beating Manchester City 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium, with Andros Townsend scored a contender for goal of the season with a stunning 30-yard volley. And Palace have the front players and pace to beat any side, but they blow hot and cold. They beat Manchester City and then failed to score against Cardiff. And then they followed up an impressive away win at Wolves with a home defeat to Watford, so maybe they are a little happier on the road at the moment.
Wilfried Zaha is a constant threat and a winner of spot-kicks, but with only three league goals, Hodgson will be looking for more from his main man as he tries to steer his team to safety.
History
When you take a look at the previous Liverpool vs Crystal Palace results, the
Eagles have had a fair amount of success against their opponents. Liverpool lead the head-to-heads by 12 to seven, though, with three draws in the Premier League era, and the visitors haven’t won in their last four meetings with the Reds.
The Reds scored a goal in each half to beat ten-man Palace back in August after Aaron Wan-Bissaka received his marching orders. And while the Eagles have been flying away from home, another positive away result would be a major shock.
Liverpool have won eight home matches in a row, with a home record of 9-1-0 this season.
Betting Tip
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Liverpool vs Crystal Palace | Crystal Palace Asian Handicap +2.00 @ 1.88 |
| January 19, 23:00 (GMT+8) |
That’s some home record, and our Liverpool vs Crystal Palace odds can’t see anything other than a Reds win. The hosts are at 1.20 to take the three points, Crystal Palace out at 14.00, and the draw at 6.00.
But I have a funny feeling Palace will score a goal at Anfield against a depleted Red defence, and that will be enough to make it a tough test for Klopp’s men.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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