Merseyside Derby Betting Preview
Saturday afternoon sees the final league Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park, as Everton and Liverpool do battle for the 245th time. With the Blues moving to their new stadium at the end of the season, it promises to be another high-octane, passionate clash at 12:30. We have selected our five best bets for the lunchtime kick-off, which could return 148/1 if put in an accumulator and is successful.
Tip One: Under 2.5 Goals @ 13/10
There have been under 2.5 goals in the last five Merseyside derbies and it promises to be another tight affair on Saturday. Everton have scored just 14 goals in 14 league games and four of those came in the midweek victory over Wolves. Prior to that much-needed win over Gary O’Neil’s men, the Toffees had failed to score in their previous four matches.
Liverpool have had a serious threat in front of goal so far this term, with the leaders averaging over two goals per game in the Premier League. But their recent record at Goodison might be a concern for Arne Slot, who is preparing for his first Merseyside derby.
The Reds have failed to score in their last two trips across Stanley Park, which includes a 2-0 defeat in Jurgen Klopp’s last derby in charge.
Tip Two: Mohamed Salah to score @ 49/50
Three of Liverpool’s last six goals at Goodison Park have been scored by Mohamed Salah and the Egyptian star goes into this clash in top form. The former Roma forward has scored in all of the Reds’ last seven Premier League games, with a brace at Newcastle on Wednesday taking his tally to 13 for the season. Salah is now the league’s leading scorer and is just five goals behind Thierry Henry in the all-time Premier League stats.
Tip Three: Trent Alexander-Arnold to assist @ 16/5
A return to full fitness for Trent Alexander-Arnold came at just the right time for Liverpool, with Connor Bradley facing a spell on the sidelines. The England star played a key role in the win over Manchester City, before being left on the bench for the midweek game at St James’ Park. Alexander-Arnold came off the bench in the second half, replacing Joe Gomez, and made an instant impact.
The full-back created two goals for Mo Salah and now seems certain to start in the Reds back four against Everton.
Tip Four: Total Cards - Over 5.5 @ 11/8
It is often a feisty affair when these two meet and referee Michael Oliver will have his hands full in Saturday’s Goodison clash. There has been an average of 4.2 yellow cards in the last five Merseyside derbies and it would be no surprise to see plenty of cautions this weekend. With it being the last league derby at Everton’s famous old stadium, the atmosphere is likely to be even more lively and the players might get caught up in that.
It’s also worth noting that this fixture has had more red cards than any other match-up during the Premier League era, with 23 dismissals.
Tip Five: James Tarkowski to get a card @ 23/10
Everton have played three teams currently in the top-eight this season – Fulham, Brighton and Aston Villa - and have conceded eight goals in those three matches. Their defence will be tested to the maximum against the league leaders and if they are to stand a chance of winning, their backline will have to perform at the highest level. Sean Dyche will be delighted to have both James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite back as his centre-half pairing.
It’s no coincidence that the Blues have kept clean sheets in their last two home games, when those two have started. They will be up against it though to keep Liverpool’s attacking trio at arms-length and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of them go into the referee’s notebook. Tarkowski was cautioned in last season’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield and already has three yellows to his name in this campaign.