Premier League: Liverpool Get Another Shot at the Summit Against Palace

Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

Liverpool will have another great opportunity to summit the Premier League when they host struggling Crystal Palace at Anfield this weekend.

Both the Reds and the Eagles had pedestrian-at-best results during their most recent top-flight bouts, and they’re keen on stepping on the gas and securing three whole points this time around.

It’ll be a pivotal clash between these Premier League staples, with Liverpool trying to keep the pressure on the title race while the Eagles desperately tread over relegation waters.

Talking Points

Mo Salah, the messiah

Liverpool had a great opportunity to separate themselves from Arsenal and Manchester City in the league standings, but fell short thanks to the spirited showing from the Red Devils.

The Reds were the SBOTOP favourites in their recent tie against Manchester United. A win against Manchester United was a prime Premier League 2024 headline after their match at Old Trafford, but Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo had other plans.

After a Luis Diaz opener, it seemed like Liverpool were going to send the roaring home crowd leaving with heavy hearts, but the Red Devils graced the pitch like a whole new squad in the second half of the clash.

United scored back-to-back rapid-fire goals to put themselves up 2-1 halfway into the second half. Stunned with glee, the entire Old Trafford was buzzing in anticipation for an upset win, which would have further cemented United’s spot in the standings.

That is, until who else but Mo Salah delivered a stunner of a goal from the penalty spot to level the game at 2-2. Despite their dominance on the pitch, Liverpool needed to rely on the heroics of Salah to get at least one point to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City in the title run.

With this slight fumble behind them, Klopp and his men continue their title hopes when they play host to relegation candidates Crystal Palace. Now, with home advantage, the Reds should have no reason not to get three points and possibly garner the lead in the league standings once again.

Spirited effort from Palace falls short

Crystal Palace have lost three of their last five, and their current form shows no signs of improvement. The panic button has definitely been pushed at Selhurst Park, given that the Eagles can’t seem to claw their way out of danger of being relegated.

They boast just a five-point lead ahead of 18^th-placed Luton Town, and it doesn’t help that they’ll face a formidable Liverpool outfit for their next top-flight match.

Palace had the whole football world holding their breaths after Mateta scored an early opener against Manchester City at Selhurst Park. A win or even a draw against the Sky Blues would help them separate themselves from relegation-candidate teams, but more importantly, it would’ve been a great morale boost for what seems like an uninspired Palace squad.

Two goals from De Bryune and a goal from Rico Lewis and Erling Haaland immediately squashed the Eagles’ upset hopes, and they ultimately endured a 2-4 defeat in front of their home crowd.

Having to face Manchester City and Liverpool back-to-back is no easy task for any team in the top flight, but this is Crystal Palace’s reality, a reality they’ll need to brave head-on if they want to keep themselves alive in the Premier League.

History

Liverpool have Crystal Palace on a choke hold, winning 20 of their last 29 games since 1992. A commanding lead in their head-to-heads just shows the discrepancy in these outfits, and there’s no signs of this trend suddenly turning 180 for their upcoming tie.

The Eagles have yet to garner a win against Liverpool in their last 12 meetings. The Reds have bossed Palace with a 10-2-0 record since 2018, and they’re keen on keeping their winning ways against Palace next matchday.

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2024 betting odds have the home side as the heavy favourites at 10. No surprises here. On the other hand, Crystal Palace are slapped with a glaring 9.20 price tag to win and 6.00 to draw.

Going with Liverpool is a sound move, but 1.20 doesn’t pose that much value. Instead, I’d personally go with their total goals over 3.25 at 1.86.

Crystal Palace proved that they can score goals against top-tier teams with their two-goal performance against Manchester City, while Liverpool boast one of the most potent offences in the entire top flight, with a total of 72 goals scored in the season thus far. With this being said, expecting more than 3.25 goals from these teams combined doesn’t seem like such a lofty ask. Not to mention that a price of 1.86 offers enough value and excitement for punters to consider.

 

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