Liverpool v Newcastle
Wednesday 26th December 1500hrs
Football – England – Premier League
Pick: Liverpool to win to nil
Bookmaker: Boylesports
Odds: 10/11 (odds taken 19.30 GMT, Monday 24 December)
Premier League Betting at Boylesports
Whenever Liverpool meet Newcastle, memories are immediately cast back to a true Premier League classic when the Reds broke Geordie hearts with that amazing 4-3 win at Anfield back in 1996. At that time it was Newcastle pushing for the league but heading into the Boxing Day clash this year it’s Liverpool looking down on the rest with a four point lead they’ll be looking to maintain, or even extend. Continue reading for a match preview of Liverpool versus Newcastle, with a selected best betting tip.
Liverpool Preview
It’s the first time in 10 seasons that Liverpool are top of the league at Christmas time but they’ll be hoping for a better end result this campaign, as they could only managed second in 2008/09. Friday’s impressive 2-0 win away to Wolves was a seventh consecutive victory in the league for Jurgen Klopp’s men and that, compiled with Manchester City’s surprise defeat the following day, means that Liverpool have a bigger cushion than they would probably have expected. It could all change over this hectic Christmas period, however, with the matches coming thick and fast. Liverpool’s festive programme comes to an end with a mouth-watering clash away to City on the 3rd of January but Klopp knows all too well that his team must take care of business in the games before then, starting at home to Newcastle. The Reds then face Arsenal ahead of that City game, so they could barely have asked for a more difficult run of games at this time of year. Regardless of what happens in these games, the feeling is that this Liverpool team are very much serious title contenders and will be desperate not to relinquish top spot anytime soon.
Newcastle Preview
This, of course, is a return to Anfield for Rafael Benitez who enjoyed six years as boss of Liverpool. He’s fondly remembered for winning the Champions League in 2005 and was also responsible for the last time the club were top of the league at this time of year. His concerns are very much different now being in charge of Newcastle, though, as he bids to steer the club clear of the relegation zone. Survival was always going to be the priority once again for the Magpies with little investment in the team over the summer and a similar story expected for the impending winter transfer window. Their current position of 15th is down to the ability and tactical nous of Benitez. The Spaniard may have seen Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Fulham a missed opportunity, though. Winning the matches against teams below them – especially at home – has been a recipe to Newcastle’s success in recent weeks and that may well be two points dropped. They remain five points clear of the bottom three but just like the top of the table, it can change just as quickly at the bottom end. A trip to Watford will close out the year before welcoming Manchester United to St James’ Park in the opening game of 2019.
Liverpool v Newcastle Betting Advice
Liverpool have set a record already this season by conceding only seven goals before Christmas. It’s a terrific record and something of a turnaround considering it’s been their defensive failings that have held them back in recent seasons. Klopp has transformed their style and it is paying dividends on the evidence so far. Newcastle cannot boast nearly as good a record as their opponents defensively, but they have conceded the fewest goals of any of the teams in the bottom half and Benitez will set his team up to give precious little away on Wednesday.
It will be up to Liverpool to find their way through what will be a stubborn opponent in Newcastle but they could barely be in better form at the moment. Virgil van Dijk has taken huge amounts of credit for marshalling the defence, and rightly, so, but the quality shown in attack, especially through Mohammed Salah, is there for all to see and it is of such a high standard. The Reds have won five of their eight games at home in the league without conceding a goal and that’s the selection against Newcastle. The visitors will look to frustrate and deny their opponents space to play in the final third but they struggle for goals at the best of times, let alone against the best defence in the league.
