Crystal Palace v Liverpool Betting Tips

Crystal Palace v Liverpool always feels like a defining game – probably thanks to that dramatic Palace comeback which saw the 2013/14 Premier League title slip out of Liverpool’s hands a few years ago. The match was under the lights on that occasion and it will be once again as this fixture repeats itself on Saturday evening.

There is just something about the atmosphere created by these two sets of fans which makes a meeting between these two sides pretty special.

Palace’s season so far is best summed up in graph form. They had a miserable start with two consecutive defeats and a draw before going on to win three in a row. However, since winning away at relegation-threatened Sunderland, the Eagles’ season has mirrored their start with one draw and two losses.

Their results so far this campaign create a very even looking pattern LLDWWWDLL. Stick a mirror half way between the second W and you get the same result.

Alan Pardew had previously got his side performing relatively well at home with a highly-creditable draw against a good-looking AFC Bournemouth side before thrashing relegation-threatened Stoke City 4-1. Unfortunately they could not continue and build any sort of momentum at home as they suffered a shock loss to struggling West Ham United a fortnight ago.

Unlike earlier in the season, at least Palace now have a Premier League standard striker in the form of ex-Liverpool forward Christian Benteke, meaning that you do not lose hope completely if the Eagles do go 1-0 down.

Defensively Palace look poor and disorganised and are yet to keep a clean sheet this season. This is particularly strange when you consider that they have experienced players such as James Tomkins, Damien Delaney in central defence. However, this goes to show how much they have missed injured captain Scott Dann (who has been out for most of the season). Luckily for Pardew, the 29-year-old should be fit to face his boyhood club on Saturday evening – a huge boost.

Liverpool look as good as they did in that previously mentioned 2013/14 title challenging season and it would be no surprise if they ran favourites Manchester City close throughout the campaign. The Reds have won five out of their last six matches and even the draw was against Manchester United – a match where they dominated and should have won. In fact it is only their erratic defence which means they do not top the table at the moment.

20 goals scored is joint best with City but 11 goals conceded gives them a poorer goal difference. Defending set pieces is a big problem for the Reds and they look vulnerable whenever crosses come into the box. You fear for them against a team who enjoy getting crosses into the box towards a target man – enter Palace and Benteke. Jurgen Klopp’s team have only kept one clean sheet all season and for them to remain as title challengers they must sort out their back-line. As the saying goes; “Goals win you games but defences win you titles”.

Just like in their match against West Bromwich Albion they should have enough going forward to come out on top but it would not surprise me in the slightest if they once again conceded against a Crystal Palace side who look good in the final third.

With this in mind, a good bet to look at is ‘Liverpool to Win & Both Teams to Score’ at a very well-priced 47/20. Perhaps Palace’s last couple of matches have increased the price but they should still score against a vulnerable looking Liverpool defence.

If the Eagles are to score it will no doubt come through their star man right now – the aforementioned Christian Benteke. As stated before, he is the exact type of striker that Liverpool cannot defend against. Also, there is something about players scoring against their old clubs. The odds on the Belgian international scoring at anytime are incredibly generous at 9/4.

Finally, I would look at combining those two bets into one with ‘Liverpool to Win & Christian Benteke to Score’ at 15/2. Again this seems incredible favourable for punters given the circumstances.

To see all of Saturday’s tips click here.