IT WOULD have been some crystal ball to have predicted the way things have turned out at Anfield this season.
One from a car boot sale would probably have predicted Leeds would be in trouble on their return to the big time.
The Mighty Whites got off to a decent enough start, beating Everton on the opening day and compiling seven points from their opening five games.
Yet what works at Elland Road has got lost in translation on their travels, as they’ve been beaten in six outings out of seven.
Proper relegation form yes. But the performance last weekend at Man City, where they fought back to 2-2 from 2-0 down before losing 3-2, was grounds for optimism.
And that turned into a full-blown revival on Wednesday night – as Daniel Farke did his job prospects the power of good with his Leeds side stomping all over sloppy Chelsea 3-1.
Bet Balls
BetGoodwin
- Villa to beat Arsenal 3-2 today is 45-1
- Leeds v Liverpool to draw 2-2 tonight is 12-1
- Brighton to beat West Ham 3-1 tomorrow is 12-1
- Fulham v Palace to draw 1-1 tomorrow is 6-1
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That ended a run of four straight defeats for the promoted outfit and stuttering champions Liverpool can expect no easy ride today.
For their part, the Reds ended a run of nine defeats in 12 games by winning at West Ham on Sunday.
It didn’t exactly look convincing and those fears were confirmed as they had to come from behind to scramble a point against Sunderland at Anfield in midweek.
However, Coral’s Dave Stevens does see the green shoots of recovery for Arne Slot’s side.
He said: “I swear I’ve not been on the Christmas sherry, but I actually think Liverpool could be about to go on a run that gets them back in the title race!
“Slot may have put Mo Salah one step nearer the Anfield exit by not starting him in the last two games. But it could be a smart move, as it may spark the Wirtz and Isak show.
“Liverpool’s fixtures between now and their game at Arsenal on January 8th are all winnable – so the 20-1 about the title might just be an early Festive gift!”
William Hill’s Lee Phelps offers anytime scorers as his secret Santa and said: “Leeds’ Lukas Nmecha has scored in his last three games and we make him 9-5 to do so again, while it’s 13-10 Alexander Isak builds on his first Prem goal for Liverpool here.”
Leeds know their survival depends on making Elland Road a fortress and the signs are encouraging after their shock win over Chelsea.
Encouraging signs too for Dominic Calvin-Lewin, who has scored in his last two games after a sluggish start to life in Yorkshire. He looks a decent shot at an anytime scorer at 11-4 with Sky Bet.
So with their tails up, Leeds can take at least a point from their jittery visitors tonight.
BetMGM, Betfred and bet365 go a best-priced 3-1 they do so. And with both sides prone to conceding – 47 goals between the pair so far – draw and BTTS at BetVictor’s 19-5 looks even more enticing.
SMALL BET
FA CUP finals are where many people’s football journeys began. Mine was 1974 – Liverpool 3 Newcastle 0.
Back then, the final was the only game you ever saw live on the telly and the nation tuned in.
We still love the old girl and one of the big reasons is we love underdogs, we love upsets.
And we love non-league upsets more than anything. Who could believe Wimbledon’s Dickie Guy saved that penalty in 1975 from Peter Lorimer, the man with the hardest shot in football?
But he did and the league champions were taken to a replay by the Southern League side before going through.
This weekend, 11 non-league sides get their shot at the big time and a place in the third round.
Two are guaranteed to get through from Chelmsford v Weston-super-Mare and Slough v Macclesfield.
Surprisingly, I’m willing to bet they won’t be the only ones.
Carlisle, second in the National League, must fancy their chances, as I do, at badly struggling League One outfit Blackpool.
Likewise Sutton, who host a Shrewsbury side in danger of joining them in non-league next season.
Then there’s Boreham Wood, fifth in the National League, and winners of eight of their 11 home games this season.
They host Newport County, who are bottom of League Two.
That “shock” treble pays a best-priced 18-1 with Coral, Hills and MGM.
TV PREVIEWS
Villa v Arsenal
EIGHT wins in nine league games is the record Villa bring to the table for this lunchtime’s clash with leaders Arsenal.
Unai Emery’s side stormed back from 2-0 down to unseat Brighton 4-3 at the Amex on Wednesday.
Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brentford preserved their five-point lead at the top.
They’ve got more on their plate here – and MGM’s 33-10 on Villa looks the bet, as does Sky Bet’s 11-4 Ollie Watkins scores anytime.
FORECAST: 3-2
Brighton v West Ham
THE SEAGULLS will be smarting tomorrow, after blowing a chance to leap into the top three on Wednesday night.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side led Villa 2-0 but lost 4-3 as they crashed to a first home defeat of the season.
Struggling West Ham have won once on the road all campaign and don’t look good enough to pick up No 2 here.
Fit-again Brajan Gruda is the 3-1 pick with MGM to score anytime.
FORECAST: 3-1
Fulham v Palace
ONE thing you wouldn’t expect Fulham to do this week is have shooting practice – after Tuesday night’s explosive finishing.
While the Cottagers went down 5-4 to Man City, after trailing 5-1, that was just their second last loss at home all season.
Palace, though, have let in just four away goals in seven games. (pre-Burnley)
Tight here, honours even and Harry Wilson to score anytime at 4-1 with Sky Bet.
FORECAST: 1-1
TOP TIPS
Pro bet
Everton to beat Forest, Charlton to beat Portsmouth, Watford to beat Norwich, MK Dons to beat Oldham, Stockport to beat Cambridge. Acca pays 27-1 with William Hill.
Retirement bet
Brentford to win at Spurs, Coventry to win at Ipswich, Stoke to win at Sheff United, Oxford to win at Swansea, Millwall to win at Bristol City, Swindon to beat Bolton, Exeter to beat Wycombe, Carlisle to win at Blackpool. Perm 1 x Acca, 8 x 7-folds, 28 x 6-folds. Acca pays 27,431-1 with Bet MGM.
Away day
Chelsea to win at Bournemouth, Bradford to win at Plymouth, Mansfield to win at Accrington, Luton to win at Fleetwood. Acca pays 18-1 with 888.
Top draw
Derby v Leicester, Southampton v Birmingham, Preston v Wrexham, Peterborough v Barnsley. Acca pays 126-1 with Coral.
TV Special
Villa to beat Arsenal, Leeds v Liverpool draw, Brighton to beat West Ham, Fulham v Palace draw. Acca pays 87-1 with bet365.
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