Football Betting Tips: Reds to take time see off Benitez’s Newcastle defence
A FEW weeks ago, things looked pretty rosy for Liverpool fans.
The Reds secured a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, while an easier run-in compared to Manchester City meant there were genuine aspirations of a first league title since 1990.
However, as they travel to Newcastle in the Premier League tomorrow, things look very different.
A host of missed chances and an inspired Lionel Messi performance left the Reds with a sizeable three-goal mountain to climb at Anfield next week and things don’t look much easier in the league either.
Pep Guardiola’s side expertly navigated their way past Tottenham and their city rivals United to put themselves in the driving seat as they aim to successfully defend the title.
If they do go on to win it, this will be a bitter bill to swallow for Jurgen Klopp, whose side have already bettered the most points ever recorded by the league’s runners-up – United’s 89 points in 2011/12.
To make matters worse for the Merseysiders, if they were to win their remaining two matches, they’d finish on 97 points, a total that would have won them the league in eight of the last nine seasons.
All they can do now is win their last two games and pray that City slip up, but as we know, strange things can happen at this time of the season.
Their hosts Newcastle have once again avoided relegation comfortably despite flirting with the wrong end of the table at times.
With Premier League survival assured, the Geordie faithful will already be planning for next season and will be hoping for some much-needed investment in the squad, something manager Rafa Benitez has spoken passionately about in recent weeks.
The Spaniard is a top-class manager, one many believe is too good for the Magpies and he’ll surely have his suitors over the summer, especially if the Newcastle hierarchy isn’t forthcoming with financial backing.
Benitez did far more than just deliver trophies, notably the 2005 Champions League, at Liverpool.
He immersed himself in the local culture and became an adopted Scouser, with his family still living on the outskirts of the city.
While I’m sure he would love to see Liverpool lift the Premier League trophy, he’s the Newcastle manager now and will be hoping for another big scalp tomorrow.
Perhaps what is so impressive about Newcastle this season is that in terms of personnel, they are really lacking.
Miguel Almiron has brought some much-needed spark to the side and he’ll be a big miss, but besides him, they’re not a side littered with world-beaters.
Such limitations show the scale of the job Benitez has done, particularly in defence where they have conceded 47 goals – the fewest in the bottom half.
Even though they failed to get on the scoresheet, Liverpool created a hatful of chances against Barcelona, so you’d expect them to create plenty of opportunities here.
A win is imperative for the Reds and with the fact there hasn’t been a 0-0 at St James’ Park all year, goals look guaranteed.
This looks a similar fixture to Southampton last month, with Newcastle well-organised under Benitez and patience will be required.
Liverpool don’t look like buckling under pressure and although it could take them time, I fancy them to make it eight league wins in a row.
The draw at half-time and Liverpool full-time looks worth supporting at 7/2.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Draw/Liverpool 7/2