English Premier League | Sunday 11 May | Anfield | 16:00
It’s the final matchday of the most entertaining league in the world. The English Premier League title is yet to be decided with Manchester City firm favourites as a win in their match against West Ham will guarantee them the title. Liverpool will host Newcastle hoping that City slip up. (Please note this article was written prior to Man City’s match against Aston Villa on Wednesday night).
To Win (90mins)
Liverpool 2/11
Draw 56/10
Newcastle 11/1
LIVERPOOL
Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge is in serious trouble after the Reds suffered a memorable collapse Monday night, throwing away a three-goal lead in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Crystal Palace.
The result temporarily took Liverpool atop the Premier League table on 81 points, one ahead of second-placed Manchester City and two ahead of Chelsea.
But the Reds—who stormed to the top of the table this spring following a stirring run of 11 straight victories—will now need help from their closest pursuers to win the title.
Liverpool finish the season Sunday against Newcastle at Anfield, where a home win would give Brendan Rodgers’ side 84 points.
City, meanwhile, have two matches remaining and would finish with 86 points if they win both.
In addition, City hold a nine-goal advantage in goal difference. Joe Allen gave Liverpool a first-half lead before Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez scored in quick succession shortly after half-time.
But despite holding a three-goal lead with just over 11 minutes left, the Reds couldn’t hold on.
Damien Delaney pulled back Crystal Palace’s first goal in the 79th minute, followed by substitute Dwight Gayle’s late double, as the Eagles thrilled Selhurst Park and stunned their title-challenging visitors.
Liverpool need to address some serious “game management” issues this summer.
Youth, energy and passion will take you a long way, but experience and cool heads need to prevail.
Too many times this season Liverpool have thrown away leads or conceded one too many goals.
However, the reality is that for a squad as shallow as Liverpool’s, they have done extremely well to find themselves top of the league on the second-to-last matchday of the season.
The tears and general despondence shown by Suarez and Co. when Mark Clattenburg blew his whistle on Monday showed that the players themselves know they have thrown the title away.
Suarez hid his tears under his jersey until being escorted to the tunnel by Kolo Toure.
It’s understandable why the Uruguayan was so heartbroken.
He has been magnificent this season scoring 31 Premier League goals and has already been rewarded with the Player of the Season from both the Writers Association and the Players Association.
Jordan Henderson’s return from suspension will boost the Reds.
His value to Liverpool’s midfield has been highlighted by his absence, due to the red card he picked up against Manchester City, Lucas Leiva has failed to fill his void.
NEWCASTLE
Loic Remy scored his 14th goal of the season to help end Newcastle’s six-game Premier League losing streak and send Cardiff down.
On a day when several hundred home fans carried out their threat to walk out of St James’ Park before the end of the game after losing patience with owner Mike Ashley and manager Alan Pardew, Shola Ameobi’s first-half header set his side on the road to a lacklustre 3-0 victory.
The visitors rallied and looked like they might get something out of the game, but late strikes from Remy and substitute Steven Taylor, coupled with Sunderland’s shock win at Manchester United – their first since 1968 – ensured that Newcastle sent Cardiff down to the Championship with one game still to go.
With little to play for since the turn of the year, Newcastle went on to lose six straight matches and scored just once in that period before their win over Cardiff.
That form will offer a glimmer of hope to Liverpool here.
Midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa is fit, but is unlikely to be included once again with manager Pardew having suggested he is not currently worth a place in the squad.
Frontman Papiss Cisse will also miss out due to a knee injury.
Betting Prediction: LIVERPOOL 2/11
Liverpool only managed a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park in the reverse fixture back in October. However, that was a different Liverpool and a very different Newcastle United at the time. Liverpool have won 15 of their 18 matches at Anfield this season, scoring a mammoth 51 goals and conceding just 17. Newcastle have been inconsistent on the road, losing 10 of their 17 travels, scoring a mere 19 goals and conceding 29. Liverpool will be out to redeem themselves and keep their slim chances alive. The home win is a sure bet.
Written by Wayde Dorkin for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
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