As the Premier League season draws to a close, there still remain a number of key games to play out at both ends of the table. In terms of the battle at the top, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur meet on Saturday evening in a game with huge significance for both teams.
As Liverpool retain their hopes of quadruple this term, The Reds face another pivotal game in their quest to regain the league crown against a side equally desperate to return to the Champions League next season.
With Jurgen Klopp’s men still hoping to bridge the one-point gap to Manchester City, Spurs are two point behind rivals Arsenal in the fight for fourth, with the two meeting on Thursday night in one of the biggest north London derbies in some time. Defeat for the Lilywhites could leave a likely insurmountable cushion for Arsenal – should the Gunners beat Leeds United at home on Sunday. The stakes are high at Anfield.
Could these factors result in a rather cagey affair? There is that possibility but given the form both have in front of goal of late, it appears unlikely. In the case of Spurs, Antonio Conte’s men have amassed a total of 24 league goals since March, whilst the hosts seem to turn on the goals tap as an when required. That will surely be this weekend.
As a fixture, this has become one of the must-watch games in any season – home or away. Indeed, in all their league meetings since 2010, 72 goals have been shared, with over 3.5 goals netted on nine occasions including during the last two league clashes. A repeat here then seems a more than likely scenario and at 7/5 with PaddyPower and SBK, a decent wager could rake in a nice profit.
The specials markets are lighting up ahead of this one and a 6/5 price with BoyleSports for Liverpool to score in both halves is worth consideration, whilst a Mohamed Salah-Son Heung-min double should be grabbed with both hands at 7/1 with SkyBet, or for both men to have 1 SOT at 6/4 with PaddyPower.
Spurs have lost in four of the last five visits to Anfield but held them to a 2-2 draw earlier this season. Fascinatingly however, Liverpool have won their last three home league games with Tottenham 2-1 and you would not have to be a tarot card reader to foretell that scoreline could repeat itself on Saturday. Should you be so inclined, 17/2 odds with Bet365 look worth examination.
Regardless of whether this game will brings goals or caution, given the stakes on the line it does feel like an occasion for a late dramatic winner. There are two clear contenders; for Liverpool Salah, whereas for Spurs, Harry Kane waits to pounce. Either man seems poised to deliver late on Merseyside and whilst Salah is 17/5 to be the last goalscorer, Kane is a whacking 8/1 – both with SpreadEx.
Finally, let’s return to the anytime scorer market. Of the bets that immediately stand out, Son is 3/1 with Betfair and PaddyPower, with the in-form Dejan Kulusevski 21/4 with Unibet to net himself. For the hosts, the best value to be had could be in the shape of Trent Alexander-Arnold at 17/2 with SkyBet, as the full-back hovers and still seeks a first league goal in 2022. Of the opposing side’s back line who could steal the limelight, the impressive Cristian Romero has been a vital part of Spurs’ push for the top four, but as we saw at former club Atalanta can be a sizeable threat from set-pieces. The Argentine’s price at 28/1 with Coral, Ladbrokes and BetFred, should not be dismissed.
