Liverpool vs. Newcastle: EPL Betting Preview

Some very short price teams in the Premier League over the coming days and first up is Liverpool when they host Newcastle on Friday night.

No bigger than 1.60 to get the win needed to stay in touch with Arsenal and Chelsea, in what is now seemingly a three-way battle for the two final Champions League places, Liverpool are opposed at such cramped odds and their lack of firepower must be of serious concern.

Having scored just 21 Premier League goals in 18 matches, the likes of Blackburn and Bolton have found then net more often, Kenny Dalglish’s side’s rumoured title challenge bit the dust a long time ago and their record at Anfield this term is mediocre, at best.

Unbeaten they might be, but Liverpool have drawn six of their nine matches on Merseyside and Sunderland, Norwich, Swansea and Blackburn have all left with a point.

Qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition would be a major achievement for Dalglish and his troops but Liverpool look short in plenty of departments to me and the loss of Luis Suarez will be a major blow.

Suspended for Friday’s clash having admitted a recent misconduct charge, the Uruguayan is scheduled to miss eight more matches following his verbal handbags with Patrice Evra and his absence is likely to hinder the Reds push up the table.

Newcastle travel south having regained the winning thread with a 2-0 win at Bolton last time out and look ideally suited to me to cope with the hosts. Well organised and tough to break down, I find it hard to imagine this particular clash will come anywhere near the 4-3 thrillers the pair served up in the past and a low scoring draws is likely.

Four away wins already this season indicates Alan Pardew’s side are more than capable on their travels and in Demba Ba, who has 14 goals to his name in the top flight, Newcastle possess a striker with real quality. A victory for the visitors would not totally surprise.

4pts Lay Liverpool (vs. Newcastle) @ 1.60 (Betfair)