*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
When these teams last met, they were first and second in the league. A last minute winner from Roberto Firmino ensured Liverpool leapfrogged Tottenham, and with the Manchester clubs in eighth and ninth, they looked well set to battle for the title across the rest of the campaign.
While the two pairs of teams haven’t swapped places entirely, the clubs involved in this fixture enter the latest round of Premier League matches in fourth and fifth, even though it’s little more than a month since Bobby the Brazilian settled their previous encounter.
Thursday 8pm: Tottenham v Liverpool
BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate
Since their defeat at Anfield, Spurs have won two of their five league matches, and victories over a wide open Leeds and a Sheffield United side who appear doomed to relegation aren’t exactly statement results.
But it’s better than Liverpool, who have only won a single league game since then. Granted, it was their biggest ever away victory in the top flight of English football, but Jurgen Klopp should’ve told his players to save some goals back for the matches yet to come. I don’t know why managers never think to do this, it seems obvious.
Draw
In terms of the recent head-to-head record, it’s one way traffic. The Reds have won the last six meetings – including the 2019 Champions League final – and have lost just one of the 13 clashes since Klopp managed Liverpool for the first time, which happened to be at White Hart Lane.
And, including the Anfield loss which brought Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United tenure to a close, he has lost three successive matches against the Reds, his worst run against a specific opponent in his whole career. But a lot of the recent games between Liverpool and Spurs have been close.
Two of the Reds’ victories in the last two years required a 90th minute winner, the meeting in Madrid was the only one settled by more than a goal, and Tottenham could easily had a point in this fixture last season but Giovani Lo Celso put a glorious late chance wide. It’s a tough game to predict, as the odds reflect.
The visitors are favourites but their current form suggests little to justify that, and the five stalemates in the last 11 league matches among the big six shows that shutting up shop is back in fashion for matches like these. Mourinho will be delighted about that, and a point here wouldn’t be a terrible result either, so it’s shaping up to be a Draw.
READ MORE: Mason Mount changes name to ‘Manfred Mountz’ ahead of Tuchel arrival
Under 2.5 goals
And as it’s likely to be a close run thing, this match should be light on the goal front. That wouldn’t be unusual for matches between these teams either – three of the last four which have featured at least three goals required one in the final minute to pay out on Over 2.5 Goals.
Mourinho will set his side up to defend deeply and hit the visitors on the counter. As they’ve beaten both Arsenal and Manchester City 2-0 at home by doing exactly that, who can blame him? But while it might work, Spurs only had nine shots in total in those two matches – how on earth did they score four times? – so their tactics should ensure there is Under 2.5 Goals under the north London lights.
Both Teams To Score
Tottenham have only failed to score twice in their 15 home matches in all competitions in 2020/21, so they can feel confident of finding the net, particularly if Liverpool’s defence contains a combination of midfielders and rookies. Whether you think the Reds can score or not probably depends upon how much their attack looked back to something like its best in their FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Whatever your opinion on that, it’s not as if the Reds haven’t had opportunities in the recent barren run. Despite not scoring for 438 minutes in the league, Liverpool have amassed over six expected goals and have missed eight consecutive clear-cut chances in that period.
Their finishing has been colder than my flat has been this week, but it should warm up a touch to see Both Teams Score here.
Mohamed Salah to Score Anytime
Since Mohamed Salah joined Liverpool in the summer of 2017, he has scored more goals in the mini-league of the big clubs than any other player. His record includes five goals in seven appearances against Tottenham, and he bagged a penalty against them to tilt the Champions League final in the Reds’ favour too.
Harry Kane is second in the big match standings for the last four seasons, but has only netted once in seven home games against the top teams since Mourinho took charge. The fact he has more assists illustrates how his role has changed. He’ll fancy his chances if Klopp has to field a patched up defence, but the Egyptian looked sharp at Old Trafford and can carry that form into this match and Salah can add his name to the scoresheet against Spurs once again.
Tips for Tottenham v Liverpool
The Draw
Both Teams To Score
Under 2.5 Goals
Mohamed Salah to Score Anytime
These four selections in an acca-insured Bet Builder will give you odds of around 18/1 with Paddy Power.
NOT SURE WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT? CLICK HERE TO LEARN ALL ABOUT WHAT A BET BUILDER IS
Bet Builder Acca Insurance
If one leg of your 4+ fold Bet Builder lets you down, you get up to £/€10 back as a free bet. Customers can qualify for 1 Bet Builder Acca Insurance per day up to £/€10. The free bets will be credited by 12pm the following day.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Read More
- Revealed: How Danny Drinkwater injured himself in a swimming pool
- McGregor to face Cobra Kai’s John Kreese next at All Valley Karate Tournament
- Chelsea part ways with Thomas Tuchel after 18 minutes in charge
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW