Premier League Preview: Tottenham vs Liverpool
Before their upcoming EFL Cup semi-final showdown, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool will square off in what promises to be the highlight of this weekend’s Premier League round in North London.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs head into this clash buoyed by a dramatic 4-3 midweek victory over Manchester United, while league leaders Liverpool overcame Southampton 2-1 on the south coast to keep their ambitions of a historic first season under Arne Slot alive.
Liverpool claimed a 4-2 victory over Spurs in the sides’ most recent meeting (May 2024), but their last clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (last September) is the one to arouse more memories for both sides.
Joel Matip’s last-gasp own goal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Tottenham in a match that saw Liverpool’s heroics eventually succumbing after Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota were both sent-off either side of the break, while Luis Diaz’s goal was controversially disallowed despite the VAR.
Thus, Tottenham finally beat the Reds for the first time in six years and are now bidding to claim back-to-back home wins over Liverpool for the first time since they left White Hart Lane.
Tottenham Betting Preview
Postecoglou’s Spurs showed remarkable resilience in their League Cup success over Manchester United, surviving several scares as they moved within touching distance of Wembley. Despite a first-half blitz that saw Tottenham take a 3-0 lead, individual errors, including two from Fraser Forster, allowed United a way back. However, Son Heung-min’s stunning corner goal ultimately sealed the win and showcased Tottenham’s attacking flair.
Spurs also head into this clash off the back of a significant 5-0 first-half demolition of Southampton in the Premier League last weekend, but their inconsistent form leaves them in mid-table, five points adrift of the Champions League spots.
Spurs’ defensive options remain severely depleted, however, with Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario all sidelined. Further compounding their woes, Rodrigo Bentancur remains suspended, while Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are nursing hamstring injuries.
Elsewhere, Italian left-back Destiny Udogie, who was rested in midweek, is expected to return, and captain Son Heung-min will look to break Darren Anderton’s club record for Premier League assists in Sunday’s high-stakes showdown.
Liverpool Betting Preview
The Reds extended their unbeaten streak to 20 matches across all competitions with a professional display against Southampton in the EFL Cup. First-half goals from Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott secured victory as Liverpool moved a step closer to defending their cup crown.
While their form remains imperious, two consecutive Premier League draws against Newcastle United and Fulham have reduced their lead at the top of the table to just two points, with Chelsea hot on their heels. Still, Arne Slot’s side boasts the league’s only unbeaten away record (5-2-0) this season and will aim to maintain their dominance on the road at a venue where they fell to Tottenham last year under controversial circumstances.
Liverpool’s injury crisis gradually subsides as the Reds have fewer injury concerns. Manager Arne Slot confirmed during Friday morning’s pre-match press conference that the defensive duo, who both picked up injuries during Liverpool’s victory over Real Madrid last month, remain the only players in his squad currently sidelined from team training. Andy Robertson, having served his suspension, is available, but Kostas Tsimikas is also pushing for a start after recovering from an ankle issue.
Mohamed Salah, one of the rested players in midweek, is poised to continue his incredible form and could become the first player in Premier League history to record double figures in both goals and assists before Christmas in a single season.
Possible Starting Lineups of Tottenham and Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur: Fraser Forster – Pedro Porro, Archie Gray, Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie – Pape Sarr, Yves Bissouma – Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Son Heung-min – Dominic Solanke. (4-2-3-1)
Liverpool: Alisson Becker – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson – Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch – Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Díaz – Diogo Jota. (4-2-3-1)
Spooky Express Betting Prediction
Liverpool enter this fixture as firm favorites, with bookmakers pricing a win for Jurgen Klopp’s men at -137. On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur are listed at +320, reflecting their underdog status due to injuries and inconsistent home form. A draw is rated at +333, which could be a tempting option given Liverpool’s two recent Premier League stalemates.
Both teams have shown a tendency to produce high-scoring matches, particularly at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where Spurs’ last seven fixtures have seen both teams find the net. However, Liverpool’s extra day of rest and superior squad depth at the moment could prove decisive, with the Reds looking to ensure they remain atop the Premier League table heading into Christmas.
Expectations are high for another goal-filled encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Odds for Over 3.5 Goals are set at -133, suggesting that a high-scoring game is the most likely outcome. Additionally, both teams boast attacking prowess, and the trend of both sides scoring in Spurs’ recent home matches makes the Both Teams to Score – Yes market an enticing pick for Sunday’s clash.
As the Reds prepare to challenge Tottenham in Sunday’s marquee Premier League matchup, Mohamed Salah will arguably be the key player to follow. The Egyptian forward has been in brilliant form this season, already amassing 13 goals and 9 assists in 15 top-flight games. Salah’s knack for delivering on the biggest stages and his history of excelling in high-stakes matches make him a prime candidate to find the net once again this weekend.
With Tottenham’s defense depleted due to injuries to key players, Salah’s pace, movement, and clinical finishing could prove too much for the hosts to handle. Betting markets reflect the likelihood of another decisive Salah contribution, with odds of -111 for the forward to score at Anytime during the match. Given his consistency in delivering the goods, this looks like an enticing wager for Sunday’s blockbuster clash.
Spooky Express Free Play: Outcome And Both To Score – Liverpool and Yes +145 at EveryGame for 5/10 Units
Spooky Express Free Play 2: Anytime Goalscorer – Mohamed Salah -111 at EveryGame for 5/10 Units