Liverpool’s title chase continues as they are yet again in a must win scenario as they travel to face a tough Newcastle side.
With 2 games to go, Liverpool are currently 1 point off the league leaders Manchester City and are still within a slim shot of winning the title whereas Newcastle have already achieved survival and are comfortably in 13th place with nothing else to play for but potentially moving up a couple more spots in the league.
Both teams are showing some really good form at the moment. Despite the 3-0 loss to Barcelona in midweek, Liverpool had previously gone 19 unbeaten and were on a 10 game win streak and definitely didn’t play bad at Nou Camp as they had plenty of chances to get goals but didn’t take it. Liverpool are on a 7 game win streak in the Premier League right now and have scored 20 goals in this run.
Newcastle have only tasted 3 defeats in their last 10 games and have won 5 of them and that is their best form of the season by far at the moment. Newcastle have especially played well in their last 3 games picking up 7 points with a 2W 1D record including bagging an away win at Leicester not so long ago.
Liverpool have the tied best away record in the league with a 12W 5D 1L record. Prior to the Barcelona defeat, Liverpool had been on great away form having won 5 straight in all competitions and had scored 14 goals in that run. Most of Liverpool’s dropped points away have come against the big 6 as they only dropped 4 points (2D) and have gone unbeaten against non “big 6” sides on their travels only dropping points against Everton and West Ham. They have done an exceptional job at beating the lower level sides on their travels this season.
Newcastle have made St.James Park an extremely tough place to win at for opponents. Despite losing 9 games overall, most of that came in the first half of the season. Recently, Newcastle have been exceptional here having won 6 of last 7 (1L to Palace) and they’ve been scoring goals for fun with 15 in this stretch in front of their fans. Newcastle had a win against league leaders Manchester City during this run as well. This could prove to be a seriously tough test for the visitors Liverpool to come and win as Newcastle have looked simply great at home.
The duo of Salah and Mane are the players to watch for Liverpool. 41 goals combined in the Premier League (Salah 21, Mane 20) and both have been in solid form. Mane has scored 9 goals in his last 11 apps whereas Salah has 5 in his last 7 apps. Both of them are a serious threat for goals entering this weekend.
As for Newcastle, their striker Ayoze Perez is the man to watch. Top scorer in the league for the club with 11 goals and is in some scorching hot form at the moment having scored 5 goals in his last 3 apps including a hattrick against Southampton in the last home game. Perez is definitely in form of his life at the moment and will be expected to deliver for the hosts again.
Liverpool have won the reverse fixture against Newcastle in a very dominant fashion as they obliterated them 4-0 at Anfield on Boxing Day.
Liverpool have struggled against Newcastle at St.James Park over the years however. They have only won here 1 time in their last 7 visits and tasted FOUR defeats. Liverpool are winless in each of their last 4 visits here and haven’t won since they thumped Newcastle 0-6 in 2013. It definitely is a worrying record for Liverpool given that they haven’t won here in so long.
Liverpool are tipped as HUGE favourites entering this game offered at 1.36 whereas Newcastle are a long shot 10.00 to win with Draw offered at 5.25. The odds are based on Unibet.
Team News
Newcastle: Jamaal Lascelles is back into the line-up while Ayoze Perez is available after sustaining a bruised hip last week. Florian Lejeune, Miguel Almiron, Sean Longstaff and DeAndre Yedlin are all out.
Liverpool: Naby Keita has sustained an injury and is out for the rest of the season for the visitors while Roberto Firmino’s fitness will be tracked as he hasn’t been 100% lately.
Betting Stats
Newcastle have covered 50% of their total goal overs at home in the league this season (9-1-8).
Newcastle have covered 33.3% of their total 1st half goal overs at home in the league this season (6-4-8).
Newcastle average 1.44 bookings per game at home in the league this season (26 bookings in 18 games).
Ayoze Perez is Newcastle’s top scorer at home with 9 goals at St James Park in the league which is 81.8% of his total league goals.
Newcastle have covered 44.4% of their Handicaps at home in the league this season (8-10). However, they have covered 6 of their last 7 after only covering 2 of first 11.
Newcastle have covered 38.9% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in the league this season (7-3-8).
Liverpool have only covered 27.8% of their total goal overs away from home in the league this season which is tied 2nd worst in the BPL (5-2-11).
Liverpool have only covered 14.6% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home in the league this season which is 2nd worst in the BPL (3-1-14).
Liverpool average 1.44 bookings per game away from home in the league this season (26 bookings in 18 games).
Mo Salah is Liverpool’s top scorer away from home with 8 away league goals this season.
Liverpool have covered 50% of their Handicaps away from home in the league this season (9-1-8).
Liverpool have covered 38.9% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in the league this season (7-2-9).
KICK OFF – 4th May 2019 – 7:45pm UK Time
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