Verdict: Total goals over 2.5
Best odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Unibet
Newcastle United are set to welcome Liverpool to the St James Park on Wednesday evening, in a game that will be a part of 16th round of the 2020-21 season in the Premier League. It will also be the final game of a very controversial year for both teams.
Newcastle United
For Steve Bruce’s team, this match follows a very tough one – a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad a few days ago. With that game included, they are now without a win in their last four outings in all competitions.
They were first beaten by Leeds United at Elland Road by 5-2, then they drew 1-1 at home against 10-men Fulham, and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Championship side Brentford. Before all that, however, they managed to beat Crystal Palace away and West Bromwich Albion at home by 2-1.
The Magpies are currently in 14th place in the table at the moment, with 18 points to their name from 14 matches played. They don’t seem to be in danger just yet, with a seven-point gap and a game in hand over Fulham in 18th, but if their results go on the way they have been lately, that will soon change.
Team News
Bruce won’t be able to call upon Jamal Lascelles and winger Allan Saint-Maximin, both of whom are currently recovering from a Covid-19 infection. Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is a long-term absentee, which means he will likely be replaced by Karl Darlow again. Former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and winger Ryan Fraser are expected to miss out through groin issues.
On the other hand, striker Callum Wilson should be ready to start after being an unused sub at the Etihad.
Liverpool
The reigning champions haven’t exactly been shining either recently. Their hugely disappointing 1-1 draw against West Brom at Anfield on Sunday will have been hard to digest, given that they dominated the game completely and dropped two points after failing to build on a one-goal lead and suffering an 82nd minute equalizer from a needlessly conceded corner.
Nonetheless, Jurgen Klopp’s team are well-known for their ability to respond to such results, and they’ll be looking to vent their frustration and fury at Newcastle.
Having played 15 matches so far, the Reds still seem on course to defend their title. They top the table at the moment with 32 points, three more than Leicester City and city rivals Everton in second and third, respectively.
Team News
Defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are long-term absentees, and Klopp will be worried about the injury problems of Joel Matip who left the pitch feeling his adductor after an hour of the West Brom game. The extent of the problem with the Cameroonian centre-back still hasn’t been revealed, but he is expected to be missing for several weeks.
With all that in mind, Fabinho is practically certain to start at the heart of defence, with either 23-year-old Nathaniel Phillips or 19-year-old Rhys Williams by his side.
Midfielder Naby Keita picked up a muscle problem several days ago and remains unavailable. Thiago Alcantara is closing in on his return to action after two and a half months, but the Newcastle trip will likely come too soon for him. Forward Diogo Jota and backup left-back Kostas Tsimikas are both out, but midfielders James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should be involved, along with winger Xherdan Shaqiri.
Conclusion
This game is obviously entirely in the hands of Liverpool. We’ve seen two very different faces to their team this season, but the fact remains that if they play like they know how to, the home side probably won’t stand a chance.
If not, anything can happen. But either way, there should be a fair number of goals.
Verdict: Total goals over 2.5
Best odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Unibet
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