Crystal Palace v Liverpool – Betting Preview & Tips

Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace trying to keep their title hopes alive with a win. Here’s Ciaran Bonass with the team news, odds and best bets.

Form
First-half goals by Edin Dzeko and Yaya Toure gave Manchester City a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park in Crystal Palace’s last game which brought a run of five wins in a row for the Eagles to an end. Palace also kept four clean sheets over that run and despite scoring the fewest goals in the Premier League this season their solidity at the back has put them in with a chance of a top-half finish in their first season since promotion. Palace’s turnaround under Tony Pulis has been remarkable since the former Stoke City boss took over in November, and they passed the 40-point mark with four games to spare following a great 3-2 win at Goodison Park a fortnight ago to ensure their top flight status next season.

Liverpool also suffered a 2-0 defeat in their last game after Chelsea left Anfield with all three points last weekend although that defeat could far more significant to the final standings at the end of the season. That loss ended the Reds’ fantastic run of 11 wins in a row and gave Manchester City the chance to overtake Liverpool at the top of the table and lift the title should Manuel Pellegrini’s side win all of their remaining games as they have a better goal difference. Jose Mourinho’s team were also the first since Arsenal last November to stop the Reds scoring in a league game but their potent attack remain just four short of 100 in the Premier League this season.

Luis Suarez has scored 30 of Liverpool’s 96 league goals and the Uruguayan was rewarded with the PFA Player of the Year award for his efforts last week.

Team News
Pulis has an almost fully fit squad to choose from with South African midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi the only injury doubt for Palace with an ankle problem.

Jordan Henderson will serve out the last of his three-game ban following the midfielder’s sending off in the closing stages of Liverpool’s win against City. Full-back Jose Enrique is Liverpool’s only confirmed absence through injury as the Spaniard continues to suffer from a serious knee problem.

Head-to-Head
Suarez opened the scoring when Liverpool took on the Eagles at Anfield last October while further goals from Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrrard before half-time had the points wrapped up before Dwight Gayle hit a late consolation for the visitors. Palace had won three of the previous four games between the teams though including a 2-1 victory in the league cup back in 2006 the last times they clashed at Selhurst Park.

Recommended Bets
Liverpool are big favourites to return to winning ways at 4/11 but that seems a slight price against a team who have been on an excellent run of late and will certainly not make it easy despite having little to play for with their safety assured. Their greater need should see Rodger’s side through in what looks set to be a nervy encounter and they should be hungry from the off so take the Reds to lead at half-time and hold on for the win at 10/11.

With 46 goals conceded, Liverpool have rarely looked convincing at the back, relying heavily on their fluid style and lethal attack to get them out of trouble so 17/10 on both teams to score and an away win looks well worth backing to boot.