Liverpool to banish Blues, Sunderland can confirm survival by taming Toffees

Lee Gormley | May 10, 2016

Wednesday night’s Premier League clashes hold great significance in the running for European positions and, of course, the ruthless battle for top-flight survival.

Liverpool and Chelsea collide at Anfield, with the hosts hoping to edge closer to a top six finish, while Sunderland can confirm their top tier status by securing three points on home soil over a stuttering Everton outfit.

Meanwhile, Norwich City continue their efforts to escape relegation against Watford but are relying on the Wearside result in order to keep their already slim hopes alive.

Liverpool v Chelsea

Reds battle Blues at Anfield

Usually the domestic encounters between Liverpool and Chelsea would have a greater impact on the Premier League title race, but this time around it’s European places and a top-half finish respectively that are at stake on Merseyside.

The Reds have already earned a comfortable reverse meeting triumph back in October and are entering the latest match-up on the back of two successive victories against Villarreal and Watford, making Jurgen Klopp’s side 5/2 from Coral to prevail with both teams scoring.

Although, the Blues have a solid record in recent trips to Anfield, having not been overcome there in any competition since May 2012, but Guus Hiddink’s travelling Londoners are 11/4 to emerge with what would be only their second win in six outings on all fronts.

Stuttering Chelsea could face Merseyside misery

Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho was on target twice in that reverse 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, while compatriot Roberto Firmino struck in the Watford win last time out, making the Samba stars both 6/4 to dispatch again anytime.

Daniel Sturridge has rediscovered his killer instinct since returning from injury and will look to end strong with an England squad spot for Euro 2016 up for grabs, and the Reds frontman is 9/2 to open proceedings.

For the visiting capital club, feisty forward Diego Costa is 5/4 to find the target anytime, while Eden Hazard (15/8 anytime), Oscar (2/1) and Willian (7/2) could also be goal threats.

Sunderland v Everton

Black Cats can clinch survival

With Sunderland having secured a thrilling comeback to topple Chelsea while local rivals Newcastle United could only draw with rock-bottom Aston Villa previously, Sam Allardyce’s Black Cats have their fate in their own hands.

A victory over Roberto Martinez’s Everton would therefore see the Wearside club retain their top-flight status for another season, downing their bitter Toon rivals and Norwich in the process, and they are 11/5 to record such a win without conceding.

The travelling Toffees are 4/1 to leave with three points though, having rallied to an impressive 6-2 reverse match-up triumph at Goodison Park and have also lost just one of their last four fixture meetings.

Defoe key to Sunderland success

Black Cats marksman Jermain Defoe has been in sublime form of late, saving his side’s skin on numerous occasions, and he is 7/2 to fire in the final goal at the Stadium of Light here, after netting the winner over Chelsea.

Fabio Borini or Dame Ndoye may also have a say on proceedings, and are both 7/4 to tuck home anytime, while Everton’s main danger will undoubtedly be Belgian bulldozer Romelu Lukaku, who is 5/1 to bag the opener.

Arouna Kone hit a hat-trick in the previous clash on Merseyside and the Ivory Coast attacker is 7/4 to add to that treble anytime on Everton’s crucial visit.

Norwich v Watford

Canaries clash with Hornets

In Wednesday night’s other Premier League tussle, Alex Neil’s Norwich face a visit from Watford, with the hosts in desperate need of a victory in their own battle to beat the drop this term, but could be relegated anyway.

The Canaries will start the game second from bottom with only 31 points in their possession and will face an immediate return to the Championship if Sunderland beat Everton, though they are 11/4 to be held to a draw on home soil.

A home victory, which could ultimately mean their demise anyway, is odds-on 4/5 to occur, while a win for the Hornets is 7/2, a result that would be a sickening blow if the Black Cats do end up falling short to Everton.

Neil’s Norwich on verge of drop

With their fate resting in the hands of others, all Norwich can do on their part is win in front of the Carrow Road faithful, and forwards Dieumerci Mbokani or Cameron Jerome could help the cause, with the pair both 5/4 to strike anytime.

Patrick Bamford and Steven Naismith will need to be at their best as well, and they are 7/4 and 2/1 to find the target respectively. For the travelling Hornets, key striker duo Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney are vital to any success, as they aim to help their side finish strongly this term after tailing off in recent weeks.

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Coral’s top tip: Back Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe to strike the last goal against Everton.