THE first Premier League fixture of 2024 will see Liverpool and Newcastle United lock horns at Anfield on New Year's Day.
The Reds seized the initiative at the top-flight summit following their 2-0 win at Burnley (in a game that brought up my Boxing Day Builder) and they remained on top following Arsenal' shock 2-0 loss at home to West Ham a few days later.
However, with the Gunners in action on New Year's Eve, Jurgen Klopp's side could find themselves in second place going into their maiden home match of 2024.
Either way Liverpool will look to fulfil their end of the bargain by inflicting a third straight defeat on latest opponents Newcastle United.
The Magpies' form has taken a major nosedive over the past few weeks, with Eddie Howe's side losing to both Luton and Nottingham Forest either side of Christmas.
That pair of setbacks has seen the Toon Army tumble down the table to ninth spot and they face a tall order to arrest their slump when they make the trip to Merseyside.
Outright Betting
Despite drawing their last two Premier League home games, Liverpool go into their latest Anfield assignment as heavy 9/20 (Bet 365) favourites.
Newcastle have picked up just five points from a possible 27 on their top-flight travels this term and the bookmakers' odds suggest those away days blues will continue, with a Toon triumph trading at 11/2 (Bet 365) while the draw is also deemed unlikely at 4/1 (PaddyPower).
Betting Angles
With Liverpool unbackable at the above-mentioned price, I'm happy to opt for another player-based selection with Newcastle's Fabian Schär standing out at 4/5 (PaddyPower) to commit a foul.
The Swiss centre-half has been a regular subject of referee's notebooks during his eight years with Magpies and he is almost certainly going to be assigned plenty of defensive work at Anfield on New Year's night.
While Schär is averaging 0.9 fouls per-game this season, he has given away a free-kick at least once in five Newcastle's last seven Premier League matches.
What's more, the Swiss serial offender has been reprimanded once or more in 11 of his overall 19 top-flight appearances this term, including five of Newcastle's nine road games thus far.
With all that in mind, coupled with the likelihood of title-chasing Liverpool enjoying the lion's share of possession, siding with a solitary Schär foul at 4/5 (PaddyPower) holds plenty of appeal
Given that the experienced defender committed two fouls in each of Newcastle's recent losses to Luton and Nottingham Forest, backing Schär to get on the wrong side of the referee twice or more here also looks too big to ignore at a tasty 7/2 (PaddyPower).
Moving into the middle of the park, I'm also prepared to back Newcastle's Bruno Guimarães to commit 2+ fouls during this encounter at an eye-catching even-money (PaddyPower).
This bet would have paid out in five of the hard-hitting Brazilian's last nine Premier League outings and I'm happy to get on board with a repeat here given that the Reds are opposition of the highest calibre.
This English Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United will be played on Jan 1, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Liverpool vs Newcastle United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.