RAFA BENITEZ won the Champions League with Liverpool – now he's out to stop them taking the Premier League.
In a twist of fate two former Anfield bosses could settle the tightest of title races this weekend.
Newcastle's Benitez is trying to hinder the Reds while Leicester's Brendan Rodgers is out to do them a good turn. A Newcastle/Leicester double pays a massive 219-1 at BetVictor.
First up it's Newcastle v Liverpool on Saturday night and anything but a win for Jurgen Klopp's side will hand the crown to Man City who play on Monday.
This is a tough one for Klopp who has to lift his men after they gave it their all against Barcelona on Wednesday.
Newcastle's form in the second half of the season has lifted them 12 points clear of the drop zone and punching above their weight.
They have won six of their last eight home games and shouldn't be as big as 10-1 (BetVictor) especially as Klopp is likely to rest some players ahead of the return against Barca.
Newcastle have won two and drawn one of the last three meetings and I'm backing them not to lose at 12-5 with bet365.
Best bet of all could be Newcastle +2 at 4-5 with Ladbrokes and Newcastle +3 is good enough for accas at 3-10.
Ayoze Perez has netted five in three and is good value at 9-2 with bet365 to score.
Liverpool have lost just one Premier League game and that record has to be respected but they could be vulnerable after a tough run and they're too short at 4-11 with McBookie.
How City approach their game could depend on Liverpool's result and tips on this game will be posted on Monday.
Elsewhere on Saturday it could also be worth taking on Spurs who will be focused on their Champions League second leg at Ajax.
They travel to a Bournemouth side showing signs of life but having suffered three heavy defeats in four meetings with Spurs.
Eddie Howe's side are a little big at 16-5 with BetVictor but before backing it have a look at Mauricio Pochettino's team and see how strong he's going. A top-four place is still has to be clinched and that will be at the back of his mind.
Crystal Palace are a better side on the road and could put the final nail in Cardiff's coffin. The Welsh blew a chance of a survival by losing at Fulham last week and I like Palace at 9-5 with BetVictor. Wideman Wilfried Zaha could run riot and is 5-2 at bet365 to score at any time.
All the Championship games are on Sunday so I'll look at them in more detail on Saturday night. Norwich need a point at Aston Villa to take the title but could get all three with their hosts focusing on the play-offs.
The final play-off place goes to Derby, Bristol City or Middlesbrough and I'm taking Derby at evens with McBookie to win at home to a West Brom side who could also keep stars fresh for midweek.
In League One Luton should take the title by beating Oxford at home while Barnsley look set to miss out on goal difference although they should win at Bristol Rovers.
Doncaster are trying to hold off Peterborough for the fourth play-off spot and both face tough home games. Donny v Coventry and Peterborough v Burton look good for goals though.
At the other end Plymouth fans got their wish when Derek Adams was axed after last week's 5-1 defeat at Accrington. Home Park will be bursting at the seams today and they should get the win they need against Scunthorpe to avoid the drop. They are 6-5 at bet365.
In League Two Sol Campbell's Macclesfield need a point at home to Cambridge to stay up at the expense of Notts County and I'm taking them to get all three.
Recommended Bets
- Newcastle not to lose
- Newcastle +2
- Crystal Palace
- Zaha (Palace) to score
- Luton/Barnsley double (Evens)
- Plymouth
- Macclesfield
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.
Not sure where your coming from with Newcastle not to lose mr f,your effectively saying Liverpool are going to hand City the title.Liverpool to win -1.5 asian handicap at 2.070 is my tip for the game.
Liverpool come into this game on the back of a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona midweek and will be fired up here to get a result knowing the title will go down to the last game.Liverpool have a great away record and with Newcastle’s season over and done with and Salah and Mane looking for more goals for the golden boot i see a comfortable away win for the reds.correct score 0-4
Best of luck
One of us will be wrong – could be me or could be you.
I don’t tell anyone they’re wrong before the game’s played though.
Like you say mr f one of us will be wrong.
Go on MrF you tell him straight,the dream is over for another season.
Always their year
Newcastle fan and don’t really see us getting anything today. Liverpool are great in defense and without Almiron in the team we lose most of our attacking threat. We’ll want to put on a good show for the last home game but think liverpool will just do enough. 0-2 or 1-2 in a tight game mu prediction. Would prefer liverpool win the league over city but would live to pay them back for 95 to lol ruined my childhood that game
Commandment one of the Liverpool football cult – thou shall not back against them ….
Macca was spot on with his Burnley double chance and Liverpool to win in the camp nou mind 😗
Do fancy Liverpool to edge a tight fought affair with a narrow win tonight, like the odds of Liverpool to win by one @ 12/5
In betting no one knows exactly what will happen until it happens.
Newcastle for me represent decent value going by recent home form and their h2h record against Liverpool.
What maccathered maybe hasn’t noticed is my points bet is on Newcastle +2 at 4-5 which means Liverpool can win by one.