Liverpool v Everton Betting Preview

Liverpool host Everton this Sunday afternoon in a Merseyside derby that is massive for all the wrong reasons.

A new manager has brought about the same problems for Liverpool as they crashed to another humiliating defeat at the hands of Blackpool on Wednesday night. Despite taking an early lead through striker Fernando Torres The Reds were pegged back at Bloomfield Road as The Seasiders completed an unlikely double over their opponents.

Whilst Everton fans would like to be revelling, and certainly are to a certain extent, in the demise of their neighbours, the fact that both clubs are locked on 25 points means that there is little room for arrogance form The Toffees’ fans.

Whilst many will say that both clubs are too good, or too big, to go down, the reality is that at this stage of the season this is a genuine relegation six-pointer.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will be without influential players Steven Gerrard (suspended) and Jamie Carragher (shoulder) for this one whilst Everton are without top scorer Tim Cahill who is away on international duty.

Amidst all the trials and tribulations of the season so far Liverpool have at least remained relatively solid at home where they have picked up 20 of the 25 points they have amassed so far. So it is understandable that the bookmakers have made Dalglish’s side the 6/5 favourites here.

However, Everton will be buoyed by recent victories over Tottenham and Scunthorpe, in the FA Cup, so should come into this one high in confidence.

Louis Saha’s return to goalscoring form is a timely one given The Toffees are without Cahill for an extended period of time. He now has two in his last two starts – both of which were the first goal of the game.

A win for either side here could move them into the top half of the table but a defeat would send them hurtling perilously towards the relegation trap door. No club can, or should, be considered ‘too big’ to be relegated; just ask the fans of Leeds United and Newcastle.