Will Liverpool put the Citizens under pressure again?
The title battle in the English Premier League is hard to beat for excitement and the two title contenders are pushing each other to the max. The big question is whether either of the top two clubs will slip up yet. This weekend, the pursuers from Liverpool are in action first and can thus increase the pressure on Guardiola’s eleven. Newcastle and Liverpool face off at St James Park early on Saturday afternoon.
A duel that has the potential to be called an absolute giants’ duel in the near future. The newly rich Magpies want to reach the top of English football in the near future. Currently, Newcastle are still a long way away, but have been in strong form in recent weeks. The game will certainly not be a foregone conclusion for the Klopp disciples, but there is nothing to doubt about the clear role of the favourites. In the match between Newcastle and Liverpool, betting odds of just under 1.50 are being offered for a win for the visitors.
The gap to the Citizens is currently one point from Liverpool’s point of view. However, before looking at their rivals (City host Leeds United), they must complete their own tasks. The game kicks off in the north of England on Saturday afternoon at 13:30.
Newcastle – Statistics & current form
Newcastle had to put up with a lot of criticism for the sale to the Saudi consortium. In the end it was waved through and the Magpies have the financial means to sign any player from now on. At the time of the sale, the team was still in a relegation place and the new owners had to consider the idea of having to spend at least one year in the second division.
The personnel changes are bearing fruit
Steve Bruce was replaced by Eddie Howe and in the player sector, not the biggest names were signed, but players who definitely raised the quality upwards. New coach Howe has now been in charge for 23 games and has an average of 1.61 points per game. This is the highest average by a Magpies coach since Chris Hughton (2009-2010 average 1.91 points).
Newcastle have been in particularly impressive form in recent weeks. They have won their last four league games and last won five PL games in a row in 2014. Their defence has been particularly impressive, with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka keeping a clean sheet in the last three games. Newcastle should not lack confidence. The top-of-the-table clash against the title contenders will be Newcastle’s first PL game since Matchday 38 of the 2017/18 season, which has seen Newcastle finish in the top half of the table. Last week’s run of success means the Magpies now rank ninth.
Of their most recent 15 competitive games, the Howe eleven have lost just three but celebrated a proud ten victories. A bet on a point win, however, still seems too risky. However, due to the strong defensive performance in recent weeks, a bet on the under 2.5 or “Both teams score? No” is a good bet.
Predicted line-up of Newcastle:
Dubravka – Targett, Burn, Lascelles, Krafth – Longstaff, Guimaraes – Saint-Maximin, Willock Murphy – Joelinton
Last matches played by Newcastle:
Premier League
23/04/2022 – Norwich 0 – 3 Newcastle United
21/04/2022 – Newcastle United 1 – 0 Crystal Palace
17/04/2022 – Newcastle United 2 – 1 Leicester
09/04/2022 – Newcastle United 1 – 0 Wolverhampton
03/04/2022 – Tottenham 5 – 1 Newcastle United
Liverpool – Statistics & current form
Liverpool Football Club fans are on cloud nine these days. Jürgen Klopp’s team is currently playing outstanding football and rushing from success to success. After the 2-0 triumph in the Champions League semi-final against the yellow submarine from Villarreal, even Rio Ferdinand (who played for arch-rivals Manchester United for a long time) was moved to say that this is currently the best Liverpool team of all time.
Klopp extends!
In fact, Liverpool are currently putting in one gala performance after another and not giving their rivals a chance. Liverpool’s last three games have all been at home to Anfield Road and not only do they have an 8-0 scoreline against arch-rivals Manchester United, local rivals Everton and in the CL semi-finals, but they have only conceded two goals (!) in those three games.
Thiago is reminiscent of his best days in the Bayern jersey, the full-backs always provide danger on the sides and the enormous early counter-pressing does not allow the competition to breathe. The offensive is well known and dreams of a “quadruple” (four titles) are gradually becoming permissible. The football is not only fun for the fans, but also for Jürgen Klopp. Contrary to his own statement that it’s over at the Reds after 2024, the surprising contract extension was announced on Thursday.
37 points out of a possible 39
The CL second leg is scheduled for Tuesday evening in Spain. However, given the performance in the first leg, there is no doubt that the 2-0 advantage would not be enough. At St. James Park, however, Klopp will still rotate a little, but certainly not in a big way. After all, a win is a must if the title dream is to remain realistic.
In the last 13 league games, Liverpool have celebrated no fewer than 12 victories and only had to settle for a draw in the top duel with Manchester City. It is particularly impressive that goalkeeper Alisson Becker has kept his box clean in ten of these 13 games. Another argument in favour of predicting a game without many goals in the case of Newcastle against Liverpool.
Predicted Liverpool line-up:
Alisson – Robertson, van Dijk, Matip, Joe Gomez – Thiago, Keita, Fabinho – Mane, Jota, Salah
Last matches played by Liverpool:
Champions League Final
28/04/2022 – Liverpool FC 2 – 0 Villarreal FC
Premier League
24/04/2022 – Liverpool FC 2 – 0 Everton
20/04/2022 – Liverpool FC 4 – 0 Manchester United
FA Cup
16/04/2022 – Manchester City 2 – 3 Liverpool FC
Champions League Final
14/04/2022 – Liverpool FC 3 – 3 Benfica
Newcastle – Liverpool Direct Comparison / H2H Record
In October 2015, the Magpies celebrated a 2-0 victory against Liverpool. This was also the last success of the northerners against the Reds, for ten games in the English football top flight Newcastle has not won. During this period, there have been four draws and six games have been lost. Saturday could be only the second time in the club’s history that Liverpool have gone five away games in a row at St James’ Park without defeat – only between September 1961 and May 1969.
A must-win bet for Newcastle against Liverpool is the prediction of at least one goal. In only one of the 53 Premier League matches between the two clubs so far has there been no goal scored.
Newcastle – Liverpool Tip
The rest of the programme is not easy for Liverpool, but the supporters do not have to be afraid at the moment. The dominance on the pitch is absolutely impressive. In the derby against Everton, the Reds had no less than 83 percent possession. The opponents are hardly allowed to breathe and sooner or later the Klopp eleven usually scores the goals.
The home side from Newcastle are in very strong form these days and have managed to keep a clean sheet three times in four games recently. However, Norwich, Crystal Palace, struggling Leicester and Wolves are of a completely different calibre to Liverpool. An end to the winning streak is highly probable and, finally, the odds for Newcastle against Liverpool are also a good option for the tip half-time/finish 2/2. 20:8 is the Reds’ goal difference in away games in the first half. An early decision would be quite obvious.
