Liverpool will look to close the gap on at least one of the three teams above them in the Premier League table on New Year’s Day as they welcome resurgent Leeds United to Elland Road.
Liverpool continued their upward trajectory last time out, defeating rock-bottom Wolves on an afternoon when I landed a 23/20 winner.
Arne Slot’s men are now unbeaten in each of their previous six Premier League contests (W4-D2-L0), winning each of their last three, moving them up to fourth in the table.
Leeds stretched their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches last time out, as they came from a goal down to draw 1-1 away at fellow newly-promoted side Sunderland.
Daniel Farke’s men remain in 16th position in the Premier League table, but are now seven points clear of the relegation zone.
However, the Whites travel to Merseyside having won just once on their travels this campaign (W1-D2-L6), but will take confidence from the fact they have drawn their last two.
How the bookies view it: Reds favourites
Liverpool have been installed as favourites to record a fourth consecutive Premier League victory, with bet365 pricing a home success at 8/15.
Leeds United are 19/4 underdogs to claim just their second away win since promotion back to the Premier League, whilst the draw is 7/2.
Head to head: Liverpool dominance
Liverpool have dominated this fixture over the past couple of decades, winning 10 and losing just one of their previous 15 meetings with the Whites (W10-D4-L1).
However, Leeds won 1-2 on their last visit to Anfield, and played out a 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture at the beginning of December.
Players to watch: Calvert-Lewin to continue his hot streak?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin created history with his equaliser at the Stadium of Light last time out, as he became the first-ever Leeds United player in history to score in six consecutive matches.
The Englishman has scored seven goals in that run, and the former Evertonian is an appealing 5/2 at bet365 to get on the scoresheet once again.
Predicted line-ups:
Liverpool will be missing Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo and Alexander Isak through injury, whilst Mo Salah is away to AFCON, but Dominik Szoboszlai returns from suspension.
Daniel Farke will be without the injured Dan James, Joe Rodon and Sean Lonstaff.
Liverpool: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Jones, Wirtz, MacAllister, Szoboszlai, Ekiteke
Leeds United: Perri, Bogle, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Aaronson, Stach, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to, these two clubs played out a six-goal thriller in the reverse fixture at the beginning of the month, and I’m anticipating another entertaining encounter between these two sides.
Going back a little bit further, the last seven meetings between these two clubs have averaged a staggering 4.86 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score paying out in five (71%) of them – including in the last three – whilst six (86%) have gone Over 2.5 Goals.
Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals pays 11/10 at William Hill, which is my preferred selection for this clash.
GambleAware