WILL Liverpool’s excellent form continue on Saturday against Crystal Palace? Willie Duncan (@Willie_Duncan) shares his best bets.
Crystal Palace v Liverpool | Saturday 17:30 | BT Sport 1
Even though I’m still scratching my head in utter bemusement at how my selection of Liverpool to score three or more goals against West Bromwich Albion failed to land last weekend, I simply can’t turn my back on Jurgen Klopp’s team ahead of their trip to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday night.
These two served up drama aplenty when they met in south London last season as the Reds came from 1-0 down to claim a remarkable 2-1 victory by virtue of a 96th minute penalty from none other than Christian Benteke.
Benteke, of course, may well be leading the line for the Eagles against the men from Merseyside this time around and, while I don’t think that the big Belgian will have the last word, anyone who thinks that the Reds will have a straightforward path to victory against Alan Pardew’s men has not been paying enough attention to the way that Klopp’s charges do things.
Liverpool have conceded at least once in each of their six Premier League wins so far this season, while Klopp’s men have managed just a single clean sheet in 14 top-flight fixtures away from home – when the Reds romped to a 6-0 victory at Villa Park in February.
It’s worth remembering, too, that since Klopp took up the reins on Merseyside, Liverpool have claimed back-to-back away wins against Chelsea (3-1 and 2-1 respectively), a swashbuckling 4-3 win against Arsenal on the opening day of the season and, of course, a simply stunning 5-4 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road – one of the most breathless games of football that you could ever wish to see (unless, of course, you happen to be a fan of the Canaries).
Yes, Liverpool tend to be overrated by the odds compilers (a point somewhat usefully underlined by the skimpy 3/4 quotes on offer for an away win this weekend), but there is no doubt that the Reds are, more often than not, a hugely entertaining team to watch these days.
The odds compilers are catching on, too, for more than two goals to be scored in this match is as short as 4/5, while you won’t find much more than 4/6 on offer for goals to be scored at both ends. If you’re quick, though, there is the opportunity to back Liverpool to win a match which features more than two goals at a very appealing 8/5.
The selection would have landed in all but one of Liverpool’s last 15 victories – including in each of the nine matches in which the Reds have ruled the roost so far this season.
Palace will hope to provide tough opposition, but the Eagles’ dismal capitulation against Leicester City last weekend offers little to suggest that Pardew’s men will be a serious threat to the Reds here.
Therefore, it is the supremely generous 8/5 quote on offer for Liverpool to win a match featuring more than two goals that is the recommended play for punters this weekend.
TOPICS English Football Tips Football Premier League TipsBest Bets
Crystal Palace v Liverpool – Liverpool win and Over 2.5 Goals (8/5 Bet Stars)
