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Premier League preview: Can Liverpool extend their lead at the top against Newcastle?

| 30.12.2020
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

We take a closer look at tonight’s fixtures, with Tottenham v Fulham also taking place

Liverpool visit Newcastle this evening and they can bounce back from a disappointing result and go five points clear at the top of the table with a win.

Jurgen Klopp’s side finally looked to be back to their devastating best having followed up an impressive win over Tottenham by thrashing Crystal Palace 7-0.

But they were toothless in front of goal last time out as they only managed a 1-1 draw with struggling West Brom at Anfield.

They’ll be looking to make amends tonight as they take on Newcastle and ahead of the action, we’ve taken a closer look at the form, team news and the latest odds.

Newcastle v Liverpool (20:00)

After seeing Liverpool put seven past Palace just eight days before, there can’t have been many brave punters who backed them to drop points at home to West Brom.

But despite fielding a close to full-strength side, Klopp’s side were held to a draw by Sam Allardyce’s men thanks to a late equaliser from Semi Ajeyi.

It was a far cry from the performance at Selhurst Park, where eight shots on target yielded seven goals. Frustration seemed to set in against the Baggies, where just two of their 17 shots gave goalkeeper Sam Johnstone something to think about.

Yet while their lack of conviction may naturally give tonight’s opponents Newcastle some confidence, it could also convince Liverpool to go out all guns blazing with a point to prove.

They’ll need no extra motivation to increase their lead at the top of the table, with Manchester United now just two points behind them thanks to Marcus Rashford’s winner at the death against Wolves last night.

And they face a Newcastle side without a win in their last four outings in all competitions and against whom they’ve scored at least three goals the last four times they’ve met.

Steve Bruce

For the Magpies, Jamaal Lascelles and Allan Saint-Maximin will miss out after contracting COVID-19. There could be returns for Jonjo Shelvey and Callum Wilson, who both weren’t fit enough for the Boxing Day defeat to Manchester City.

Liverpool will be without Joel Matip, who was taken off injured against West Brom. Young centre-back Rhys Williams will likely start in his place.

Naby Keita is also sidelined with injury while the game looks to have come too soon for Thiago Alcantara, who is nearing a return from a knee problem.

Newcastle are longshots to win at 10/1 while the draw is going at 19/4. Liverpool can be backed at 3/10.

View the latest football odds.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication

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Author

Harry Howes

Having previously worked on national newspapers, Harry is an experienced writer who is obsessed with all things football and Wilfried Zaha, even naming his cat after the future Ballon d’Or winner.