After enduring emotional derby dates over the weekend, Liverpool and Tottenham now have just days to prepare for another very important clash midweek. Tottenham claimed a valuable derby win over Arsenal with rising star Harry Kane leading the way. Spurs now head on to Anfield to face a Liverpool side that hasn’t lost in nearly two months.
Can Kane and co. conquer the Reds in front of the Kop? Read our comprehensive preview below for more on this big-time showdown with big European consequences. Also, click here for our preview of stumbling Manchester City’s clash with Stoke.
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Liverpool vs. Tottenham Betting Preview
Where: Anfield, Liverpool, England
When: Tuesday, February 10, 3:00 PM ET
Line: Tottenham +310 at Liverpool -143, tie +260; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
What’s at Stake
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Tottenham are right on the cusp of the top four, and a win would put them inside those Champions League places until the four teams currently above them play on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Liverpool are inching closer themselves to that area of the table themselves and need a win to continue their forward momentum.
Betting on Liverpool
Liverpool’s three-match winning streak came to an end with their 0-0 draw in the Merseyside derby against Everton on Saturday, but there are still quite a few positives to pick up from the result. The Reds extended their undefeated run to eight matches (five wins, three draws) and kept their fourth clean sheet in a row.
Liverpool’s 3-4-2-1 formation, which manager Brendan Rodgers has used to spark their recent revival, was still very effective against Everton. Liverpool controlled 55 percent of possession away from home and had 17 total shots (six on target) with just six conceded (one on target).
However, poor finishing let Liverpool down. Raheem Sterling remained a constant threat as a lone striker, but he was wasteful in front of goal. Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge still didn’t look 100 percent in just his second game back from a lengthy layoff and failed to make a significant impact as a second-half substitute.
Liverpool’s attack should be aided by the possible return of midfielders Adam Lallana (four goals this season) and Lazar Markovic, who both missed the derby due to injury concerns. Markovic, much like Sterling, has the pace from the wing to trouble a Tottenham team that can be susceptible to quick counterattacks.
Since 1994, Liverpool have lost to Tottenham at Anfield just once over a stretch of 21 matches, a 2-0 loss in 2011.
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Betting on Tottenham Hotspur
And the legend of Harry Kane continues. The young striker had a fairytale debut in the North London derby as he struck both goals in Tottenham’s come-from-behind 2-1 win over Arsenal. The win was Tottenham’s third in a row and fourth in five matches.
It’s been a terrific first season for Kane, who has now scored 12 Premier League goals (fourth in the league) and 22 in all competitions. Kane has also spearheaded Spurs’ two signature wins this season, the other being their 5-3 win over Chelsea on New Year’s Day.
Tottenham dominated the derby with 56 percent of possession and 23 total shots (eight on target). They likely won’t enjoy as much of the ball away from home, especially at Anfield. But with an in-form striker in Kane, they may not need too many chances to capitalize on goal.
Spurs are one of the best in the Premier League in effectively pressing opponents, which will be vital in disrupting Liverpool’s style of passing their way from the back.
Furthermore, Tottenham’s pressing could also cause an error or two from the Liverpool backline and may lead to great scoring opportunities. Liverpool has a significant question mark in their three-man defense with Emre Can, a midfielder by trade, which Spurs could force into a costly mistake.
Writer’s Prediction
With both clubs fatigued from their taxing derby fixtures over the weekend, neither team can summon the strength to come away with all three points. This one ends up as a 1-1 draw.
