Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool
Selhurst Park has been a happy hunting ground for Liverpool of late.
They have won on five consecutive visits in all competitions after failing to win any of their previous six games at Crystal Palace.
The Premier League question now is, can they make it six as they continue their seemingly relentless charge towards the title?
Talking Points
For a side with such a commanding lead at the summit, it’s no surprise that Jurgen Klopp’s men have produced Premier League highlights galore so far.
Their defeat of the champions last time out has left them overwhelming favourites to take Manchester City’s crown.
Palace, meanwhile, are winless in their past four top flight matches and will hope for a kinder run of the ball than they had against Chelsea nearly a fortnight ago.
As for our team news, Mohamed Salah looks set to be sidelined meaning Divock Origi — who was one of the heroes of Liverpool’s Champions League success last term — could start.
Virgil van Dijk withdrew from the Holland squad for personal reasons over the international break, while Jordan Henderson and Joe Gomez were excluded from England duty but they did seem to be minor withdrawals to ensue they were quickly back for club action and I expect them to both be available this weekend.
Their danger man may well be Sadio Mane who has scored seven goals in nine league games against Palace, more than he has against any other side.
The Senegal international is the third highest scorer of all time in this fixture for Liverpool with four goals. He currently trails only Steve McManaman (5) and Ian Rush (7).
Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has four goals in his last three starts and continued his fine form with a goal and an assist for England over the international break.
For Palace, star man Wilfried Zaha was forced off with a foot injury during their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea but should be fit to start here.
One-time Liverpool man Mamadou Sakho and Connor Wickham remain sidelined, while Roy Hodgson will have to monitor the fitness of Joel Ward.
Jordan Ayew has played against Liverpool three times in his career, failing to register a goal or assist in the process. However, he has been Palace’s main goal threat this season with four Premier League goals.
Christian Benteke may be in for a surprise start after scoring twice for Belgium on Tuesday, although the ex-Liverpool man has not started a league match for the Eagles since mid-August.
Palace have been miserly at home, conceding just five goals but the problem is that they have only scored four themselves.
They are also the league’s second-lowest scorers with only 10 goals in the opening 12 games and have kept only three clean sheets.
At least one of those statistics will have to change if they are to spring a surprise this weekend.
And it must also be remembered, Palace were the last team to win in the league at Anfield, in April 2017.
History
Palace have won 14 of their meetings with the Merseysiders who themselves have 28 victories to their name.
There have been a further 11 draws.
Last season, goals at the end of each half from James Milner and Mane secured Liverpool a 2-0 win.
It was much closer at Anfield where Liverpool won a seven goal thriller, helped by some poor Palace goalkeeping.
Two goals from Mohamed Salah and one each from Roberto Firmino and Mane secured the points with Andros Townsend, James Tomkins and Max Meyer on target for the Eagles.
Palace last defeated Liverpool at home five years ago when second half goals from Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak cancelled out Rickie Lambert’s opener in a 3-1 win. It remains one of only two home triumphs over them in the Premier League era.
The sheer mention of Gayle is enough to bring Liverpool fans out in a cold sweat.
Betting Tip
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Crystal Palace vs Liverpool | Total goal 2-3 @ 2.04 |
| November 23, 11:00(GMT+8) |
The runaway leaders are runaway favourites with the SBOBET Premier League betting odds.
Liverpool can be backed 1X2 @ 1.47, First Half 1X2 @ 2.03, Asian Handicap – 1.50 @ 2.42 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.04.
The hosts in contrast, can be backed 1X2 @ 6.60, First Half 1X2 @ 5.80, Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.16 and First Half Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.33.
A repeat of the corresponding fixture last season — correct score 0-2 — is available @ 7.00, while Double Chance Palace or Draw @ 2.55 may be worth a punt.
Total goal 2-3 @ 2.04 is my * prediction.
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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