Liverpool have stuck great form under their new manager Jurgen Klopp and have won 7 of their last 8 games in all competitions. They are yet to be beaten on their travels and have started the ascend towards the top in the Premier League. They will face Newcastle United in this week’s Premier league fixture. The expectations will already be high on this Liverpool side and they will want to come out of this game with all three points.
Newcastle United have are fresh off a gruesome loss to rivals Sunderland in their previous game. They were outplayed in every department and are low on confidence at the moment. Steve McLaren will not relish this fixture against the rampant reds and will have to sweat it out even for a point. Here is the preview of the game along with the Team News, Predictions and Betting Odds.
The Newcastle United vs Liverpool match will be played on Sunday the 6th of December at the St James Park in Newcastle. The kick off is scheduled at 4:00 pm BST (9:30 pm IST).
Team News:
Newcastle United and Steve McClaren has a number of injury problems going into this game. Mike Williamson and Tiote will both miss out on this game against Liverpool. Tim Krul is also not available for the home side along with Haidara and Riviere. De Jong and Perez will start for Newcastle United as they will look to play a system with three at the back. It will be interesting to see how they can cope with the intensity of Liverpool’s game.
Liverpool also have their set of injury issues but will be happy to see Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson back in the team. Sturridge started in the mid-week fixture against Southampton and may get another start in this game. Firmino and Lallana are also tipped off to start in the absence of star playmaker Phillipe Coutinho. The Liver pool squad have a lot of depth and will love to get off this game with a positive result.
Expected Line-ups:
Newcastle United:
Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Colback, Anita; Sissoko, Perez, Wijnaldum; Cisse
Liverpool:
Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Lucas, Milner, Lallana, Ibe, Sturridge, Firmino.
Key Battles:
Perez vs Lovren:
Ayoze Perez is a highly under-rated striker in the Premier League. He has a peculiar eye for goal and is exceptional with his movement in and around the 18-yard box. Dejan Lovren who has slowly grown in confidence over the last few games will have to be alert and ever ready if he wants to keep Ayoze Perez away from his goal. This is one of the ways that Newcastle will try and put pressure on the visitors.
Sturridge vs Mbemba:
Playing a three at the back can always stretch your defense and Liverpool will try and do the same to Newcastle on Sunday. Daniel Sturridge announced his return to the squad with a brace in the mid-week game and will be hoping to give his best again in this game. He is incredibly quick and will surely open spaces for his team mates with his movement. Mbemba will be up against it when he faces Liverpool and will have to be on his toes to keep the England International quite.
Betting Odds:
Newcastle United: 5/1
Draw: 16/5
Liverpool: 8/13
Prediction:
Liverpool under Klopp have been marvelous on their travels. They play with freedom away from home and are a very tough team to beat at the moment. McClaren will surely set his team up to defend and hit Liverpool on the counter but if Liverpool can find an early breakthrough, this might end up to be a long night for the home team.
Our Prediction:
Newcastle United 1-3 Liverpool