Yet again, it’s another Merseyside derby that doesn’t really have an affect on the league table. Still, it’s a debut for Jurgen Klopp in the most played fixture in English football. He’s had plenty of practice in a fiery derby. After all, he steered Dortmund through 11 Reiverderbies with Schalke. He had a winning record in them, and if our tip is anything to go by he’ll start his Merseyside record with a win as well.
It’s been a bit of a mixed year for Everton. There haven’t been many highlights on or off the pitch. Apart from Roberto Martinez’s dance moves. They were excellent. It’s a pity his team’s form doesn’t have as much rhythm Everton are in the top 5 of the away table with their 24 points from 16 games bettering the record of Man United, Chelsea, Stoke and West Ham among others.
The problem is they’re in the bottom three of the home table. Things are bad when all of the relegation threatened sides are better at home than you. An FA Cup semi final is seemingly the the only thing that’s kept him in a job.
By contrast, had Liverpool not had another Istanbul moment last Thursday against Dortmund, you could argue that their season has been a bit of a flop as well. 12 points off of fourth place means that the Europa League is their only hope of European competition. The main difference is that Klopp’s not even had a year in charge yet, while Martinez has had longer to bring Everton to nothingness.
With an impeccable home record against the Toffees, it’s no surprise that Liverpool are favourites at.
It might be friendly for the fans as one of the few fixtures with no fan segregation. But the historic stats don’t read the same way, and don’t look good for Everton
- There have been more red cards in this game than any other in Premier League history (26 – 17 of which have been for the blue half of Merseyside)
- Everton haven’t won at Anfield for 19 years
- Six of the last seven derbies have finished level
Both of these sides have something else to focus on. Liverpool beat Bournemouth at the weekend with essentially a second team out. Everton didn’t win at home (again) against Southampton.
Even though there’s nothing important on the line, it’s still a big game. When Liverpool have a big game, Philippe Coutinho scores. Our tip is for him to score again and Liverpool to win at odds of. Given Everton’s leaky defensive record a Liverpool win with 3 or 4 total goals at odds of is also very tempting