Everton vs Liverpool Tips (9th Sep)

It's always a mouthwatering clash when Everton and Liverpool lock horns and we should see fireworks once again when the bitter rivals go head to head at Goodison Park at lunchtime on Saturday. Pool have beaten the Toffees in five of their last seven visits to Goodison Park and will fancy their chances of enhancing that record over the weekend, and they are a best-priced 11/10 in the match result market, but are a shade of odds-on in places. However, Everton have made a bright start to their campaign and are likely to offer stern resistance to their illustrious rivals, especially with the weight of support in their favour. David Moyes' men are available at 3/1 in the match result market, which some might view as a spot of value. But Everton have only beaten the Reds at home once in their last eight encounters, while 33% of the meetings between the Merseyside rivals at Everton's ground have resulted in a draw since the 1990/91 season. Relying solely on stats would be tantamount to financial hari kiri for punters, but these statistics make the case against Everton look pretty compelling. Everton and Liverpool have been synonymous with strong defending as opposed to attacking flair in recent years, but their respective new signings have given each side greater offensive impetus. Everton's new signing Andy Johnson has made an immediate impact alongside James Beattie, while Craig Bellamy has done likewise for the Anfield outfit. The Welshman has proved to be a prolific striker throughout his career during his time with Newcastle and latterly during stints with Celtic and Blackburn. When it comes to the crunch, few players have more resolve and tenacity than Bellamy, and he will be well up for this match, of that you can be sure. Add to Bellamy's determination the form of Peter Crouch, who has been firing on all cylinders in England's recent matches, it's easy to envisage the Toffees' defense will be in for a sticky time of it, if you pardon the pun. Everton do now possess the requisite attacking resources to provide a solid counter punch - Beattie and Johnson have plenty of pace, and Tim Cahill is always dangerous when going forward from midfield - but chances are they will revert to a defensive mode in this match, mindful of Liverpool's strength in depth. And, in any case, the Reds boast a rock solid defense. Indeed, only Chelsea conceded fewer goals than Rafa Benitez's men last season. Matches between Everton and Liverpool are hard to predict in terms of the amount of goals we should expect. Their two clashes last season produced four goals apiece, but during the 2004/05 term a total of four goals were scored in their two encounters. As such, punters are best not to get involved in correct score and total goals markets. Instead, the value may lie in the anytime goalscorer market, in which Craig Bellamy rates an appealing bet at 2/1 with Coral (as short as 5/4 with bet365). The 27-year-old will be getting his first taste of a full-blooded Merseyside Derby and, as I mentioned earlier, few players on the pitch will be able to punch pound for pound with him when it comes to sheer desire to perform. I confidently expect him to etch his name onto the scoresheet whether it's a case of win, lose or draw for Liverpool. Verdict: 2pts Craig Bellamy in the anytime goalscorer market @ 2/1 (Coral)