Liverpool v Newcastle United

Sunday 3rd May 1.30pm ko Live on
Setanta

TEAM NEWS  
Captain Steven Gerrard is fit again for Liverpool after injury.  
Philip Degen is back in training but is still not fit enough to be included
in the squad.   Newcastle will be without defenders Steven Taylor and
Jose Enrique.   Midfielders Jonas Gutierrez and Joey Barton are both
available again after injury.      

Liverpool Squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher,
Skrtel, Agger, Hyypia, Aurelio, Dossena, Insua, Benayoun, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano,
Babel, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Riera, Ngog, Cavalieri.
 
Newcastle Squad: Harper, Forster, Krul,
Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Edgar, Cacapa, Butt, Duff, R Taylor, Gutierrez, Nolan,
Guthrie, Barton, Lovenkrands, Geremi, Smith, Martins, Owen, Viduka, Carroll,
Xisco, Ranger.

 

 

TOP SCORERS (LEAGUE ONLY)  
LIVERPOOL                
                       
                       
NEWCASTLE UNITED  

PLAYER
Goals
 PLAYER
Goals
Steven
Gerrard
13
 Michael
Owen
8
Fernando
Torres
13
 Obafemi
Martins
7
Dirk
Kuyt
10
 Shola
Ameobi
4
Yossi
Benayoun
6
 Damien
Duff
3
Robbie
Keane
5
 Steven
Taylor
3
Alberto
Riera
3
 Andrew
Carroll
3

 

THE ORACLE’S
MATCH PRICES (100% BOOK)  

LIVERPOOL                             
1/4        80%

DRAW             
                       
11/2      15%     

NEWCASTLE UNITED              
18/1      5%      

ANALYSIS  

MATCH:   Newcastle let us down last week and after watching that game,
I will be amazed if they stay up. They just don’t seem to have the quality
needed to get them out of trouble and they are hugely lacking in confidence.
The introduction of Alan Shearer as manager as had no effect whatsoever with
Newcastle winning just two points out of a possible twelve under his charge.
They are now without a win in nine games.   Liverpool are now unbeaten
in twenty eight home games and have not lost at Anfield to anyone outside the
big four since November 2004. Liverpool are playing with a lot of confidence
going forward right now and are boosted by the return of Steven Gerrard. They
have scored fifteen goals in their last four matches and stuck five past Newcastle
at St James’ Park earlier in the season. The Geordies will again be without
Steven Taylor at the back and Jose Enrique’s comeback from injury last
week lasted all of twenty minutes. The loss of Enrique is especially painful
as Newcastle have no cover for the left back position and Damien Duff may have
to fill in.   The last three fixtures between these two sides have resulted
in an aggregate score of 11-1 to Liverpool and I think there is the potential
for another big score line tomorrow.  

GOALS:   With the number of goals Liverpool are scoring right now, it’s
hard to look past over 2.5 goals. Liverpool’s last five games have featured
three goals or more and just one of their last nine in all competitions has
featured two or less. Their last nine fixtures average 4.8 goals per game! Four
goals or more at 7/4 with Blue Square might be worth an interest although you
might be relying on Liverpool getting all of them.  

GOALSCORERS:   Fernando Torres has to be the bet here at 10/11 to score
anytime. It sounds short but when you look at the stats it’s not short
enough. Torres is just one short of fifty goals for Liverpool in just seventy
appearances which is an incredible statistic. He seems to score most of his
goals in home games and he has four in the last three. The return of Steven
Gerrard should also provide him with more chances. The Tote, Ladbrokes and Hills
are just 4/7 so 10/11 looks a bit of value in a game with a high goals expectancy.
     
 

RECOMMENDATIONS  

1pt Fernando Torres to score anytime 10/11
Coral or 5/6 S James

Best Wishes

The Oracle

www.PremiershipPreview.co.uk