The hectic Premier League Christmas schedule looms large this weekend – though not quite as much as the legendary lank-meister Peter Crouch as he considers the contrasting seasons of Liverpool and Spurs.
While the Reds look to be racing towards another league title tilt under new boss Arne Slot, Tottenham are enduring the same old inconsistency under Aussie straight-talker Ange Postecoglou, and Crouchy says it’ll be three more points for the league leaders in Spurs v Liverpool on Sunday.
But don’t forget, Paddy’s Super Sub offer means your bet rolls on even if your player selection gets taken off early…
Spurs v Liverpool Bet Builder
Over 3.5 goals
Liverpool to win
Mo Salah to score
Dejan Kulusevski to have 2+ shots
Pape Sarr to commit 1+ fouls
A bet builder with these selections pays at approximately 7/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP
WHEN: Sunday, December 22, 4:30pm
WHERE: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
TV: Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League
Spurs are dealing with a lot of injuries but the absences of Christian Romero and Mickey van de Ven are huge.
They are down to the bare bones at the back now and teams have been targeting their replacements because they know it’s a weakness. Radu Dragusin is the third-choice centre-back and Archie Gray is a young lad whose best position is not centre-half. Djed Spence has had to come in at full-back too and the goalkeeper is out as well.
The heart of their defence is out.
I felt a bit sorry for Fraser Forster really after the Carabao Cup game because he has made some really great saves since he’s stepped in for Vicario. He’s kept them in games at times, but he’s had an off night really and it nearly cost Spurs.
But Tottenham are really just patching things up game to game at the moment with all these absences and that’s a worry going into the weekend and a busy Christmas schedule.
Over 3.5 goals
I’d like to think Ange Postecoglou will adjust to account for the injuries against Liverpool the way they are playing, but he doesn’t really seem to change for anyone, so I can’t imagine he will. It’ll be three in midfield, three up front and he’ll go out to win the game.
Liverpool are scoring for fun too, full of confidence and they’ve got Diogo Jota back now too. Things are looking good for them and it points to a high-scoring game, whatever the result.
Tottenham fans seem undecided to me on Ange at the moment. At times, even the supporters want him to be more conservative, which is an unusual thing to say, but he won’t change the way he wants the team to play. Call it stubbornness or call it belief, but we know he’s not going to do it.
A few people have turned against him, but I don’t get it. He’s done a good job so far, and we can probably judge him at the end of the season as it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster so far, but they’re a lot better off now than where they were before he arrived.
In a game like this on Sunday, we all know they can go and win, but they could also lose really badly. That is how he wants to play.
Liverpool to win
It makes Spurs so unpredictable. Neutrals love to watch them because you’re always going to get a great game.
Liverpool rotated during the week and got through against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, Darwin Nunez got on the score sheet and they still look pretty comfortable. They’ve got bigger priorities this season but everything Arne Slot touches is turning to gold so far.
And they showed character getting the result against Fulham last weekend. They were down to 10 men for a long time but still played like they had 11.
I expect it’ll be another back-and-forth and tightly-fought game on Sunday. In the end, with the Tottenham injuries, I have to fancy Liverpool to edge it, and they might get one or two more if Spurs have to chase it at the end.
Mo Salah to score
Like I said, Liverpool look like scoring, and they’ve a lot of possible goalscorers with Jota back and Luis Diaz is a danger too, but you cannot look past Mo Salah for a goal the way he’s been playing this season.
Dejan Kulusevski to have 2 or more shots
For Spurs, Dominic Solanke’s found the net a few times recently and appeals as a possible scorer, but Dejan Kulusevski’s really become the main threat for them and should get a few shots off against Liverpool at least.
Pape Sarr to commit 1 or more fouls
Spurs’ defence is shaky with the injuries, so I could see Radu Dragusin possibly getting the ref’s attention and possibly getting a card, but Pape Sarr’s a decent shout for a foul as well and I’ll go for him in my Bet Builder.
Peter Crouch’s Spurs v Liverpool tips
Over 3.5 goals
Liverpool to win
Mo Salah to score
Dejan Kulusevski to have 2+ shots
Pape Sarr to commit 1+ fouls
A bet builder with these selections pays at approximately 7/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Read More
- Aston Villa v Man City Tips: Kevin de Bruyne scoring in Joe Cole’s 7/1 Bet Builder
- Premier League Predictions: Lawro sees Chelsea and Man City lose but Man Utd & Arsenal wins
- Shoot on over to Paddy Power News for the best Football Betting Tips & News
- Introducing Super Sub 2.0: Now with even more markets including a raft of 2+ and 3+ options!
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW