By Sam McGuire
The season to this point
Liverpool ran riot towards Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday to increase their lead on the high of the Premier League to 4 factors with a recreation in hand following Chelsea’s draw with Everton.
The Reds hit Ange Postecoglu’s aspect for six to return to successful methods following back-to-back attracts within the English high flight. The tempo setters have misplaced simply as soon as all season throughout all competitions. That was a shock defeat at Anfield to, on the time, a shock package deal Nottingham Forest. Nuno Espírito’s Santo’s males, nevertheless, are presently fourth and simply eight factors off the highest. Wanting again now, it isn’t that a lot of a shock consequence.
Arne Slot’s workforce are actually 21 video games unbeaten. Throughout this time, they’ve a win fee of 86%. This sheer dominance is why they sit high of the Premier League, paved the way within the Champions League with a 100% report, they usually’re into the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.
Leicester, in the meantime, are struggling.
The Foxes misplaced supervisor Enzo Maresca in the summertime and have already changed his successor. Steve Cooper didn’t final lengthy, overseeing simply 15 matches earlier than being dismissed. Van Nistelrooy was employed as his substitute and although he began effectively, with a win over West Ham United and a draw with Brighton, Leicester has since misplaced 4-0 to Newcastle United and 3-0 to relegation rivals Wolves.
Van Nistelrooy’s aspect aren’t scoring (simply 1.2 objectives per recreation) and they’re conceding (2.2 per recreation). It’s a dreadful combo. They’ve saved only one clear sheet all season and solely two sides, Ipswich City (35.6) and Southampton (38.9), have a better Anticipated Targets Conceded complete this season.
Earlier encounters
The Reds have gained 11 of the final 15 clashes, together with the final 4 on the bounce towards the Foxes, scoring 10 and conceding two. Leicester have picked up three wins however their final victory at Anfield was again within the 12 months 2000. It’s a pretty one-sided fixture and, in reality, this one must be a formality. However the great thing about the Premier League, particularly over the festive interval, is that the sheer quantity of soccer could be an equaliser. High quality suffers and upsets occur.
The Damage scenario
Liverpool are nonetheless with out Ibrahima Konaté and Conor Bradley, each injured within the Champions League win over Actual Madrid. Apart from that although, Arne Slot has a full squad to choose from.
There’s depth in assault, with the Dutchman in a position to go away three from Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Darwin Núñez on the bench now.
Leicester are with out various gamers.
First alternative goalkeeper Mads Hermansen is predicted to overlook one other recreation which means the out of shape, and former Liverpool shot-stopper, Danny Ward goes to start out. Odsonne Édouard, Ricardo Pereira and Wilfred Ndidi are out till early subsequent 12 months whereas Abdul Fatawa goes to overlook one of the best a part of 2025 as a result of a cruciate ligament damage.
Prediction
It must be a house win, shouldn’t it? Liverpool are ruthless. Leicester are toothless. If the Reds are critical about successful the title, this might be three factors. We’re backing them to indicate the psychological fortitude to see this recreation via regardless of the makings of a possible banana pores and skin. We’re going 3-1 to the hosts.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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