It's been an odd season for Merseyside's big two. Liverpool's failures: an early Champions League exit, FA Cup failure and a pitiful title-challenge in the Premier League table have been well documented. It has meant that Everton's iffy form has gone largely unnoticed as their rivals hogged the limelight.
They began the season in shocking form, losing 6-1 at home to Arsenal on the opening day, before defeats at Burnley and Fulham saw them second bottom after four games. They've also crashed out of both domestic cups and, despite Liverpool's dire form, still contrived to lose 2-0 at home.
But all is not lost for either side, as a Mersey revival is under way. Liverpool haven't lost now for six league games, defeatin Champions League chasing rivals Aston Villa and Spurs in that time, leaving them just one point from fourth. Everton are similarly resurgent, unbeaten in nine in the league and having won their last three, leaving them with a good chance of European qualification. Not forgetting, too, that both sides remain in the Europa League.
It all makes for an interesting clash tomorrow, with Betfair fancying both sides to maintain their unbeaten runs, with a hard-fought draw great odds at 3.7. Because of the close nature of these affairs, great odds are available on any outcome, with Liverpool to win at 1.9 and an away victory at 4.8.
With key players back from injury, Everton are a stronger outfit than the side that lost 2-0 at home to Liverpool in November, and they've conceded just two goals in their last five games - both of which were against Arsenal at the Emirates. And with Tim Cahill a man for most occasions the away side won't be short of confidence.
Which is why we think both sides will score at 1.82, making correct scores of 1-1 (7.4) and 2-2 (20.0) also worth a free football bet. Finally, an option to always consider in a potentially feisty derby - the sending off, at 3.5. |
