When Liverpool beat Newcastle 4-3 at Anfield in April 1996 the match went down in history as the best ever in the Premier League era. Remarkably it was the same score the following season. The fixture takes place again on Saturday and correct score betters may consider 4-3 to Liverpool. Lightening did strike twice so there is no reason why it can’t strike again. In any case the outcome of the match should be a win for the home side but Newcastle are unlikely to score three times.
However, Liverpool are better at attacking then defending and they rarely keep clean sheets as usually at least one mishap at the back comes along. Only Manchester City have scored more goals but Liverpool have the worst defensive record of the top 5. A goal difference of 33 means only City have scored a greater number of goals than they have conceded. Newcastle have let in the fewest goals of any team in the bottom eight. Both sides have not suffered a defeat in their last four league matches.
Mo Salah has been a revelation this season and the Liverpool striker is in the running to be the player of the season. He just about scores in every match and his side could run riot against Newcastle. The visitors were in dire form before beating Manchester United last month. However, momentum from that result is unlikely to be maintained against Liverpool who should win a match in which both teams could score. This is a fixture that can produce more than three goals.
Manchester City’s home match against Chelsea is one of those north/south blockbusters. However, City have won 19 more points than their opponents and that gap can be confirmed in this fixture. Chelsea have lost three of their last four Premier League matches. They took the game to Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend but sat back on their lead. In the end they were quite well beaten and fell six points behind United in second place.
City are now starting to lose the odd game and the quadruple has gone. However, they are home and hosed in the Premier League and have now won the EFL Cup Chelsea have now fallen out of the top 4 which guarantees Champions League qualification but thy are still involved in the FA Cup and that competition. However, they are struggling in their last 16 tie with Barcelona and could be out following the second leg after the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. A home win with both teams scoring is the projected outcome.
After a record breaking number of defeats at the start of the season and no goals scored Crystal Palace found some form when Roy Hodgson became the manager. However, they have lost three and drawn two in five starts and are now just one place and no points above the relegation zone. They play Manchester United at home on Monday night and an away win is on the cards and that could be achieved to nil. United must be confident about winning after the result against Chelsea.
Arsene Wenger is now less likely to be the manager of Arsenal on the first day of next season than be out of his job. Arsenal lost to a better team in Manchester City in the final of the EFL Cup but the manner of defeat was alarming for their fans. Things could go from bad to worse if they lose at Brighton on Saturday. Burnley can beat Everton on their home ground in the other televised match. None of the TV matches over the weekend will match the excitement in that Liverpool and Newcastle meeting back in 1996.
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