Liverpool vs Everton

30/3- Liverpool have been in good form in the recent matches however they faced defeat at the hands of Manchester United in an away tie while playing at Old Trafford last week. After the 3-0 drubbing, they come back home and will be playing hosts to Everton this weekend. While Liverpool are placed 4^th, the visitors are placed on the 5^th position on the points table. The difference in points between the two sides however is just a couple of points. The last match between the two sides was played earlier this season and Liverpool had won the away tie with a 1-2 score line. Also a look at the overall record between the teams for the past 15 years would suggest that Liverpool have got the better of their opponents on most occasions. In the 29 matches played between the sides in the past 15 years Liverpool have managed to win on 11 occasions while Everton on the other hand have been able to manage only 7 victories. Liverpool have only lost a single match playing at home this season and hence it would be difficult for the visiting team to register a victory.

Liverpool have displayed great form in the recent matches and they have won 8 of the last 10 matches played while there has been a draw and a loss as well. Torres and Gerrard have been their top two scorers for the side and they would be expected to deliver in this home tie as well. Liverpool would not like to lose this one as that would mean that they would have to give up their position on the table as well.

Everton on the other hand have also performed well as they have managed 6 victories in the past 10 games with 3 draws and a loss. The match can be decided by a moment of brilliance by any of the player from either side.

Prediction: 1-0, Liverpool win

Manchester United vs Liverpool

23/3- Manchester United get prepared this weekend to play one of the toughest matches of this season, the clash between Manchester United and Liverpool should be a blockbuster that would keep both the supporters on the edge of their seats. Manchester United would be playing at home and that would be an advantage but if we look at the form of both the teams in recent matches be it in EPL or the Champions League action both have performed exceedingly well consistently. While Man U are placed on the top of the charts, Liverpool currently occupy the fourth spot. In the last 10 matches played Liverpool have had 8 wins a single loss and a single draw while Man U have 7 wins, 2 draws and a single loss. Hence on current form both teams can said to be on par, the last time both these teams faced off was earlier this season when Man U had defeated Liverpool 0-1, in an away tie. Also the overall head to head record for the past 15 years falls in favour of the team from Old Trafford as they have won 16 of the 29 matches while Liverpool have managed to win 7 matches only. Manchester United will be highly confident about their chances as they come into the match after a 2-0 win against Bolton last week in a home tie, they are also 3 points clear of Arsenal already and a win here would be really helpful as the Gunners would be facing a tough opponent in Chelsea as well. Christiano Ronaldo has scored a record number of goals for the side this season and the fans would like to see him net a goal this weekend as well. Liverpool on the other hand would want to take revenge of the loss earlier this season at home and if they can do that, things at the top of the table become very interesting. Prediction: 0-1, Liverpool win

Liverpool vs Reading

15/3- Liverpool have had a great run off late and their performance in the premiership as well as the Champions League has been commendable. They are currently placed on the 4^th position on the premiership points table and the team will be really high on confidence especially after their 0-1 win against Inter Milan last week. This week they get ready to take on Reading while playing at home and the team would be expected to continue their winning run. Reading would not be a walkover for the team from Anfield as in the last encounter between both the sides ended with Reading defeating Liverpool 3-1 while playing at home. But looking at the head to head record between the sides Liverpool have a slight edge as they have won twice out of the three matches played between the sides. The home side is on the 4^th position only due to a better goal difference and hence winning the match would be very important for them.

The last match that Liverpool played in the premiership was against Newcastle and in the home tie they managed a 3-0 victory. Liverpool are in great form as they have won 6 matches in a row and have lost one match in the last ten matches played this season. Torres in the front and Gerrard in the mid field would be the combination that has worked for them throughout the season and the fans would be hoping to see some goals from the two important players. While playing at home they would be hoping to score all the points available from this tie.

Reading on the other hand have managed to register a couple of victories in the last two matches and have managed a spot that is a little clear of the relegation zone and would like to continue scoring points and at least a point from this tie would be of great value for them.

Prediction: 2-1, Liverpool win

Liverpool vs Newcastle

8/3- Liverpool are in the middle of a purple patch they have hit this season, they have registered a victory in all of their last 4 matches which includes a Champions League victory over Inter Milan. The reds are in red hot form and have just a single loss in the last 10 matches and will be taking on Newcastle at home this weekend. While Liverpool is on the 4^th spot, the visiting opponents are on the 13^th spot and have registered no win in their last 10 matches and are just three points above the relegation zone. Liverpool also hold an advantage as they have defeated Newcastle earlier this season while Newcastle were playing on their home ground. Also a factor that would work in favour of the reds is that they have just lost a single game at home while Newcastle have managed just a couple of victories away from home this season. Also in the 29 matches played between the sides in the past 15 years Liverpool have managed to win 16 while Newcastle have just 7 wins to their credit while the remaining 6 have been draws.

Liverpool will be very confident after they were able to beat West Ham United 4-0 at home earlier this week and would be looking to imitate the performance. Torres and Gerrard will be the two players the fans and the side would expect to score goals. Also playing at home they would have a good amount of back up from the crowd and anything less than a victory would be disappointing for them.

Newcastle on the other hand would like to improve on their performances as the same level of performances would see them in the bottom three by the end of the season. Viduka would have to deliver in the absence of Martins and the side desperately need some points and even a draw at this stage would be cheered.

Prediction: 2-0, Liverpool win

Bolton vs Liverpool

2/3- Liverpool are one of the teams that have been fairly consistent for the major part of the season and are currently going through a green phase and would want to take it forward in the match against Bolton, away from home. While Liverpool are in good form with just one loss in the last 10 matches, the home team has lost half of its matches when we look at their last 10 performances. One big advantage for Liverpool is that the last time the two teams clashed Liverpool had thrashed their opponents 4-0, playing at home and being in good away form is an added advantage for the side before going into this tie. Looking at the overall record as well Liverpool hold a distinct advantage over their rivals and have won 10 of the 17 matches played in the last 15 years.

Liverpool would be looking to strengthen their position at the top of the table and ensure that they can get through to the European competitions for the next year and their victory against Middlesbrough in a closely fought home encounter would have raised the confidence and moral of the entire team. With Torres out of action due to injury the fans would be hoping to see some Gerrard magic on the field and anything less than three points from this away encounter will be quite disappointing.

Bolton on the other hand would have the home crowd supporting them and they would like to end the series of losses that has been ongoing for the past two weeks. Bolton players would be down on confidence after they were thrashed 4-1 by Blackburn last week but at the same time they would have to ensure that they keep out of the relegation zone. With players like Anelka and Diouf the side can surely make a strong comeback.

Prediction: 1-1, draw

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough

23/2- Liverpool are having a comparatively disappointing season this time as they are far away from the top teams and are trying to fight it out for a spot in next year’s European competitions. Currently on the 5^th spot on the points table, the side seems to have lost the winning habit and have not been able to do anything significant in the last 10 matches played. Liverpool have won just three matches while they have lost a couple of matches while 5 ended as draws. One major reason for their low ranking is their performance at home, which has been nothing but disappointing. They get a chance this week to try and improve on the record at home and also try and ensure a place in next year’s European matches as they take on Middlesbrough at home this week. Though on the twelfth spot the visitors are in decent form as they have won 4 of their last ten matches while have been defeated thrice. The previous encounter between the sides earlier this season had produced a 1-1 result while Liverpool had travelled to Middlesbrough.

The home side would be expected to deliver on field and the crowd support will be tremendous. They managed to get a draw against a team of the calibre of Chelsea last week, playing away from home would suggest that the players are in decent nick but it is just that finishing ability which is missing. In the absence of Torres it would be left to Gerrard to deliver and the crowd would be hoping that their ever dependable does not let them down this time.

Middlesbrough whereas are trying to sneak through to the top half of the table and after a win last week against Fulham they would like to put up a fight against Liverpool and get some points from this away tie.

Prediction: 1-0, Liverpool win

Chelsea vs Liverpool

10/2- In a cracker of a match two highly potential teams take on each other as Chelsea get ready to take on the visiting Liverpool side. Though both sides are not in their best of form but a clash between them is always a terrific site. Chelsea have won 6 of their last 10 matches played while there have been three draws and just a single loss. Liverpool on the other hand have won 4 of their last 10 while there have 4 draws and the remaining two have been draws. The last match played between the two sides, earlier this season, ended in a draw with both sides scoring a goal each. Chelsea enjoy an edge when we look at the head to head record for the last 15 years as of the 35 matches played Chelsea have won 15 while Liverpool have 12 to their credit with the remaining 8 matches ending as draws.

The home side, Chelsea, get into this match after a draw last week against Portsmouth in an away tie. The biggest problem for the home side however is the increasing list of injuries in their squad, in fact their top four goal scorers would be not available for selection due to injuries and in such a situation Michael Ballack would have to take over the responsibility of scoring the goals. Also the defense looks a bit fragile in the absence of Terry and Carvalho.

Liverpool would like to capitalise on the situation of their rivals and would want to get a victory under their belt. Torres and Gerrard are in sublime goal scoring form and they would like to get on the score sheet as early as possible when they kick off against Chelsea. Both teams would be pressing for a win but it would be the team that wants it more to take it away.

Prediction: 1-2, Liverpool win

Liverpool vs Wigan

2/1- All the top 3 teams have begun the new year in grand style and have scored the maximum from their matches and now the team placed at number 4 has a great chance as well. On the second day of the new year Liverpool have a comparatively easy opponent when they play 18th placed Wigan. Though Wigan have improved considerably after the way they started the season but have not found a safe route out of the relegation zone yet. Looking at the current form of the sides, Liverpool stand out as clear winners as they have won 7 of their last 10 matches and lost only 2. Wigan, on the other hand have won just 2, losing 6 and 2 have been draws. Also looking at the past record between the teams Liverpool have won all the matches played between the teams and this time the chances of the same are higher as Liverpool will be playing at home in Anfield.

Wigan have had their share of worries this season and they are not out of the mess yet, the first half of the season was totally disastrous and now it is the time to rebuild. They would have preferred a comparatively easier opposition than Liverpool to kick start the new year and taking on the Reds would be a huge ask. Wigan have no injury worries luckily and would be happy even if they can possibly pull off a point from this away tie.

Liverpool on the other hand have been pretty subtle this season, though in 4th position they have not been in contention for the top spot but they surely would not like to have a huge gap between themselves and the top 3. This one looks to be already in the bag for Liverpool and anything less than 3 points would be a loss for the home team.

Prediction: 3-1, Liverpool win

Derby County vs Liverpool

26/12- Liverpool would be celebrating Christmas in a different way this time as they would be knowing what Santa has gift wrapped for them, a nice point scoring away tie against Derby County. Liverpool placed 5th on the points table this season were jolted by the defeat against Manchester United at home a couple of weeks ago. They seem to be adrift of the premiership leading pack but last week they showed what they were capable of by thrashing Portsmouth 4-1 at home and now would be more than eager to take on Derby just a day past Christmas. Derby on the other hand has been the weakest team of the season, their Sunday draw against Newcastle was a spirited performance but not much can be said about a team that has lost 8 of its last 10 games and the other two being draws and that leaves no doubt on the reason they are last on the premiership table.

Liverpool on the other hand have won 7 of the past 10 games while losing out only two occasions. Torres and Gerrard seem to be in great form and even in the absence of some key players the side portrays the image of a good settled team, they have played a match less than the other front runners and hence would be looking to wait and watch and jump up the positions at the right time. They have been the second best team in the premiership in terms of away points even though they have played lesser games but in terms of performances gave been the best.

Derby have had a miserable season and the trend would probably continue because Liverpool would be looking at a win with a big margin and hence Derby would have a lot of thinking to do this Christmas.

Prediction: 0-3, Liverpool win

Liverpool vs Portsmouth

22/12- The match between two teams with similar performance charts would be seen when Portsmouth visit Anfield as both teams have done really badly at home while they have been in sublime form while playing away, while Liverpool’s away form has been the best this season in EPL, Portsmouth come a close second. Hence quite strangely playing at home the Reds have history against them. Both teams are also coming on the back of home losses, while Man U beat Liverpool 1-0, Portsmouth were beaten by Tottenham in a home tie and hence both are looking for some points to revive their season campaign, Liverpool have dropped a position and would be looking to climb back to 4^th spot at least.

 

Liverpool have an inspirational captain and a prolific scorer in Gerrard and Torres has been a great support but they need to combine to deliver in this home tie. Coach Benites would be hoping that his side can come up with a spirited performance and delight the crowd with their 4^th home win this season. A win here would take Liverpool closer to 4^th placed Manchester City and help them to continue their pursuit for the title this season and a moral booster especially for performance at home is vital for them. But this pressure of winning can be a factor going against them.

 

Portsmouth on the other hand are a competitive team and since they are playing away from home they stand a good chance as they have a great away record. They are on the 8^th position but they have played a match less than most of the other top teams. They have a full strength team and with Mwaruwari in striking form, the supporters will hope that the others can play around him. A lot would also be expected of Kanu and he is another player who can single handedly change the entire match.

 

Prediction: 2-3, Portsmouth win

  

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