Tight Affair Expected at Anfield But Barca Could Maul Madrid
In this Bookmaker Ratings battle we’re bringing you a bumper edition to celebrate two of the top games in Europe this weekend.
We’ll be selecting two tips for both the Liverpool vs Tottenham and Barcelona vs Real Madrid matches on Saturday, meaning it’s all to play for in the standings between WhoScored and BR.
We’re trading blows with journalist and Bookmaker Ratings expert Artur Petrosyan this time out, who will be aiming to reduce the gap this weekend. With each expert awarded one point for a correct tip, our lead was cut to two following England’s shock win over Germany, with Dmitry Khlestkin’s 2-1 victory - predicting that both teams would score and England would find the net more than once - taking the overall standings to 4-2 in favour of WhoScored.
Artur’s tips - read more
Liverpool vs Tottenham
'Liverpool will have to react to what happened at Southampton and this will be the perfect chance to. The Reds will push and create a lot of chances. Coutinho and Lallana, who’s doing his best to prove Jurgen Klopp his worth for the past few months, will make Alderweireld and Wimmer’s lives difficult as ever, and if Firmino gets his chance, he could make them even worse.
I smell goals there. “Liverpool to score over 1.5 goals” for 2.45 at William Hill looks delicious.
“Harry Kane to score anytime” for 2.25 is good too. Spurs will definitely have something too, they’re good at counters and with Liverpool pushing forward, they’ll be leaving space behind.'
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
'Barca have conceded in 8 of their last 11 games. They’ve conceded in 18 of the last 19 Clasicos. They’re far from ideal in defence in other words, so Madrid are much more likely to score at least once than not to.
Barca have scored 2 or more goals in 20 of their last 21 games. There’s no reason for them to slow down despite having another title in sight. Yes, the international break could influence the freshness of the great MSN, but they’ll still find their way to Madrid’s goals. The Merengues have conceded at least one goal in 8 of their last 9 away games. Surely they will when facing Barcelona?
“Barcelona to win and Cristiano Ronaldo to score” at 5.00 looks as tempting as that flight mentioned above. “Total Goals – Over 3” for 1.80 at William Hill seems decent too.'
WhoScored’s tips
Liverpool vs Tottenham
It’s hard to predict what you’re going to get from Liverpool, while Tottenham have been far more consistent. Given the fact that the Reds have generally performed well under Klopp in the big games, and with the German now well and truly settled, I certainly don’t see a repeat of the bore draw in what was the Reds boss’ first game in charge. I can see why Artur is predicting goals then, and with Spurs failing to win in six against Liverpool I share his confidence that this will be a tough match for the title hopefuls.
However, Liverpool remarkably haven’t won back-to-back home games all season in the league, and I don’t think they’ll manage it this week either. Instead, as far as a result is concerned, I’d be tempted to back another draw at odds of 3.30 with William Hill. Sticking to a similar theory, my second tip would be to back the game to be level at half-time too - an option if you’re not confident of a stalemate at the final whistle - with 8 of the 9 league games Klopp has taken charge of at Anfield resulting in the sides being level at the break. The odds for a draw at half-time are 1.95.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
This is something of a strange clasico given the gulf in quality between the sides in the league this season, and while that can count for nothing in such intense rivalries Barcelona should rightly be considered strong favourites at home. Odds on the blaugrana to win (1.61) aren’t tempting enough for me though and with a goal difference of +44 from 15 home games, coupled with Real Madrid’s unconvincing away form - dropping points in half of their league matches on the road - I’m confident in backing Barcelona in the handicap market, tipping the hosts to win by more than one goal at 2.30.
My second tip switches to the goalscorer markets, and while the focus is always on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the clasico, Luis Suarez could steal the show if he continues his sparkling form. The Uruguayan has been particularly sensational at Camp Nou and will be aiming to beat the aforementioned duo in La Liga’s top scorer race, with 17 of his 26 league goals thus far coming at home. Having scored three goals in his last two appearances against Madrid, I think Suarez will get another, with odds on the 29-year old to score anytime at 1.75.
Which tips will you be following on Saturday? Let us know in the comments below
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