Kick Off: 1230, 01/04/2017
Stadium: Anfield
TV: Sky Sports 1
Everton haven’t won any of the last 13 Merseyside derbies but they have secured seven draws in that time and we are backing them to at least hold Liverpool at Anfield on April Fools’ Day.
The Toffees fell to a heartbreaking defeat at Goodison before Christmas when Sadio Mane scored in stoppage time but hopefully they can gain some compensation at Anfield.
The pick of the Liverpool vs Everton odds in our book is 5/4 for Ronald Koeman’s side to avoid defeat.
Trueform tips: Except for a 3-2 loss at Tottenham, Everton have been playing consistently well of late and, even though Liverpool are also going along nicely right now, it is tempting to back the Toffees at the odds on offer.
A Look At Liverpool’s Betting Odds
Liverpool have regularly raised their game in big matches this season and are unbeaten in 10 encounters with fellow top-six teams after battling hard for a 1-1 draw at Manchester City before the international break.
Both sides had chances to claim victory at Etihad Stadium but Adam Lallana was guilty of the biggest miss when completely fluffing a close-range shot after Roberto Firmino set him up with only goalkeeper Willy Caballero to beat 10 minutes from time.
Having won their last three home games against Tottenham, Arsenal and Burnley, Liverpool remain odds-on to make the top four, with Jurgen Klopp stating: “We are still in a battle and our next game is not only a derby, it is a really important game. There is one outstanding side this year. All the rest must fight with everything they have until the end of season.”
Klopp’s high-tempo tactics make 17/20 for both teams to score at Anfield easy to back.
A Look At Everton’s Betting Odds
Everton may eventually have to settle for finishing best of the rest outside the top six but they do have the favourite for Golden Boot glory in Romelu Lukaku, who moved two clear at the top of the scoring charts following a late brace in their 4-0 win over Hull last time out.
The Toffees have lost only once in 12 Premier League outings since that last derby defeat and a return of eight victories in that period is testament to the confidence which Koeman has instilled in this side packed with young, attacking talent.
Ongoing contract talks involving Lukaku could be a distraction and Koeman has admitted the striker’s future will ultimately be decided by the player himself, but the Dutch manager also insisted: “He is a professional and every professional gives the best for the club, the players, for everybody.”
This could be the day when Everton finally regain Merseyside bragging rights and 15/1 for a 2-1 away win takes the eye.
Additional stats
Last result:
Man City 1-1 LIVERPOOL – James Milner (pen)
EVERTON 4-0 Hull – Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Enner Valencia, Romelu Lukaku (2)
Head-to-head: Everton 0-1 Liverpool, Liverpool 4-0 Everton, Everton 1-1 Liverpool, Everton 0-0 Liverpool, Liverpool 1-1 Everton
