Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur: Goals Look Likely as Both Teams Need Win in Battle for Champions League Spot

After the recent round of midweek fixtures that saw victories for both Liverpool and Spurs over Huddersfield Town and Manchester United respectively, Sunday’s clash – kick-off 16:30 – could have a significant bearing on both clubs’ finishing position at the end of the Premier League campaign, come May.

Jurgen Klopp’s men cast aside a distinctly poor Huddersfield outfit 3-0 on Tuesday evening at the John Smiths Stadium, to get their league campaign back on track, after an indifferent recent away performance at Swansea. The Reds also suffered being dumped out of the FA Cup by relegation-threatened, West Brom last weekend.

Spurs, have also had their own cup issues, with a late Harry Kane equaliser needed to give Tottenham a second chance to dispose of League Two outfit, Newport County. Mauricio Pochettino’s side were much more themselves on Wednesday night, by disposing of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United 2-0, in a performance that could have been more one-sided than the score line ultimately suggested.

Tottenham currently sit two points behind both Liverpool and Chelsea in fifth place in the Premier League table, so this game has a big significance especially for the Londoners, as they will not wish to fall five points behind their Merseyside rivals in the race for the top four. The incentive for Liverpool, will be to open up a nice cushion over Tottenham before the Champions League begins later in the month.

Match Odds

Liverpool are the bookmakers’ favourites to claim the spoils on home soil, and MarathonBet is the place to get the best available odds on Jurgen Klopp’s side at 53/50. Tottenham are narrowly preferred in front of the draw at 66/25 – again with MarathonBet, while the same bookmaker is again top price on an Anfield stalemate at 73/25.

By placing the recent FA Cup defeat to West Brom into isolation, Liverpool’s home form this season has been excellent. Their previous home outing saw the Reds curtailing Manchester City’s unbeaten league run, with a memorable 4-3 victory. The loss to Swansea was Liverpool’s first league reversal since Tottenham claimed a 4-1 win at Wembley back in October.

Home advantage – and an extra day’s rest could well play a big part in this game on Sunday afternoon. Tottenham performed at a very high level against United, but the concern is that how much Spurs have left in the tank against the fast attacking style of Liverpool, who look to be reasonable value at odds-against.

Individual Goal Scorers

Harry Kane

The usual suspects are at the head of the betting in this market, with Spurs striker, Harry Kane being a top-priced 9/2 with Boylesports to score first. Unsurprisingly, Liverpool’s top scorer, Mohamed Salah is the Reds’ leading hope to open the scoring – also at 9/2, again with Boylesports and bet365.

Fellow Liverpool striker, Roberto Firmino is a 21/4 chance with Unibet and 888sport, while Sadio Mane could get back on the scoring trail for the Merseysiders at 13/2 with Boylesports.

Tottenham have a fine supporting cast to compliment Harry Kane. South Korean forward, Son Heung-Min is a best priced 9/1 shot with bet365 and Sport Pesa to silence the Anfield faithful, while fellow attacker, Dele Alli can be backed at 12/1 with bet365. Danish midfielder, Christian Eriksen should also be worthy of consideration at a generally available 12/1.

The player who takes my eye though is Virgil van Dijk. The world’s most expensive defender was left out against Huddersfield but is likely to return for this important fixture. The 258/1 on offer with William Hill and 188Bet is far too big to pass up on, as the big Dutchman is almost un-defendable at set-pieces. Betfred also offer 9/1 on van Dijk to score at any time as a lively alternative.

Other Side Bets

Both Teams to Score and Over 2.5 goals look to be very plausible outcomes for this game with so much attacking talent, and most importantly, intent, on the pitch. BTTS can be had with several firms including, bet365 and SportingBet at 8/15, which isn’t the most appealing price ever seen, but it does look to be a likely winner. Over 2.5 Goals is a slightly more lucrative choice at 5/8 – again with 188BET – for another short-priced option.

My main bet for this game is for Liverpool to Win the Match and Both Teams to Score. The 13/5 on offer with William Hill looks to be solid value for the home side to win the game, but without keeping a clean sheet, as Liverpool are renowned to have defensive frailties.

A 2-1 Liverpool Correct Score bet is also worthy of consideration at the tempting price of 35/4 with 10Bet in what promises to be an attacking, entertaining fixture.

Best Bets:

• Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 13/5 with William Hill
• Virgil van Dijk to be First Goal Scorer at 25/1 with William Hill
• 2-1 Liverpool Correct Score at 35/4 with 10Bet.