JURGEN KLOPP must be wondering if 2018 was a dream as we approach the end of the year.
His Liverpool side have gone from free-scoring Champions League runners-up to tight-fisted Premier League leaders – and all he wants for 2019 is a trophy.
The undefeated Reds have stormed six points clear of Spurs at the top with Man City falling to third after three defeats in four.
At the start of the season I tipped Liverpool each way but expected them to finish second behind the champions.
But if they beat Arsenal at Anfield today and take care of City at the Etihad on January they'll have one hand on the trophy.
Liverpool's record at home this season is exceptional with just two goals conceded and I expect them to beat the Gunners.
One problem is the odds – it's almost an insult to Unai Emery's men to make the home 1-2 at McBookie (12-25).
I refuse to take that price so where's the value? Possibly it lies with goals – the last five meetings at Anfield have finished 4-0, 3-1, 3-3, 2-2 and 5-1.
Liverpool and over 2.5 goals has a decent chance at evens with Ladbrokes while Liverpool and over 3.5 pays 9-4 at betfair.
Arsenal's title race is run already and recently they've dropped points to Brighton and Southampton and crashed out of the EFL Cup to Spurs.
Unai Emery is suggesting Liverpool could match Arsene Wenger's Invincibles and go through the season unbeaten.
Is that an admission his players can't win at fortress Anfield or is he challenging them to do the business? If you fancy them to produce a shock they are big at 6-1 with McBookie (21-4) while the draw pays 19-5 at 888sport.
I'd prefer to back Liverpool -1 for the fourth time in five at 13-10 with betfair (11-10) or Mo Salah to score first at 16-5 with Paddy Power (14-5).
Spurs are suddenly up to second after four wins in a row and with 11 goals in two games they should be primed to beat Wolves at Wembley.
Wolves have played better against the top sides but at 2-5 with McBookie I'm happy enough to put them in accumulators.
And what of Man City? They simply have to get back on track at Southampton tomorrow but are just 1-3 so I'd rather back both to score at 9-10 with bet365.
Leicester's last two results have been wins at Chelsea and against Man City so they should be confident at home to Cardiff. Again it's one for accas at 3-5 with McBookie.
In the Championship there were a couple of great escapes on Boxing Day with Leeds and Norwich both scoring two goals in injury time to win and draw respectively.
Kemar Roofe's last-gasp double gave Leeds a 3-2 win against Blackburn to keep them top and they should follow up by beating Hull at home but best price is 1-2 at bet365. Roofe is 6-5 to net at bet365.
I also like QPR at home to Reading and West Brom at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
In League One Jack Ross must have been lifted sky high as Sunderland set a League One attendance record with more than 46,000 seeing them beat Bradford on Boxing Day.
His side are up to third with games in hand and there will be another huge crowd at the Stadium of Light expecting victory against Shrewsbury at a nice price of 19-20 with Ladbrokes.
Luton have four wins in a row and I like them at 5-6 at Walsall while Bradford look big at Rochdale at 17-4 so consider them not to lose at 5-4 with bet365.
Recommended Bets
- Liverpool -1 (13-10, betfair)
- Liverpool & over 2.5 goals (Evens, Ladbrokes)
- Roofe (Leeds) to score (6-5, bet365)
- Sunderland (19-20, Ladbrokes)
- Luton (5-6, Marathonbet)
- Bradford +1 (5-4, bet365)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
