Rarely in global soccer do you see a top league’s regular-season title decided so early on in a campaign.
So, what Liverpool has done so far in the ultra-competitive Premier League, is the definition of jaw-dropping and something we probably won't see again any time soon.
It has been three decades since the Reds have finished atop the Premier League standings, but that drought will officially end this season. The only question is when. In all likelihood, Liverpool will secure that crown with close to two months left on the schedule.
To say the Reds are on cruise control would be an understatement. Liverpool has racked up 73 points, en route a 24-0-1 record with 13 games to go. Liverpool needs just 27 points to equal or 28 points to eclipse Manchester City’s league-record 100 points from the 2017-18 season over its final 13 matches.
Perhaps the most remarkable part of the run is the fact Liverpool has gone unbeaten in an unbelievable 42 consecutive league matches, spanning two seasons.
That all said, there is still plenty to play for this season for the 19 others sitting far behind Liverpool. Champions League positions and Europa League berths are at stake, as well as the bottom-feeders trying to avoid the last three places in the standings and being relegated to the Championship next season.
Only a few matches take place Saturday and Sunday, with the league’s winter break winding down and teams slowly coming back into full swing.
Let’s take a look at this weekend’s slate:
Odds as of Friday evening and via PointsBet, where Action Network users can access an exclusive promotion to get a 200% deposit match (deposit $50, bet with $150).No strings attached. No rollover required.
Crystal Palace at Everton
Crystal Palace odds: +500
Everton odds: -165
Draw: +270
Over/Under: 2.5 (+105/-141)
Time: Saturday, 7:30 a.m. ET
Everything has changed at Everton since Carlo Ancelotti was put at the helm and the club has found itself in the midst of a surge up the Premier League table under the Italian.
The Toffees are coming off a 3-2 comeback win against Watford and I see no reason to believe they won’t carry that momentum into this match at Goodison Park against a floundering Crystal Palace side that has just one win in its last 10 league contests.
Everton vs. Crystal Palace Tale of the Tape
- Everton has scored at least one goal in 11 of its last 12 matches (lone match without a goal was a scoreless draw against Liverpool on December 21)
- Only two of Crystal Palace’s 25 Premier League matches have seen the total hit four goals
- Everton is unbeaten in its last 10 matches against Crystal Palace across all competitions
- Crystal Palace has scored at least one goal in its last 3 league road matches
These two have battled to scoreless draws in their last two head-to-head matchups, but Everton, which hasn’t lost a match lat home in almost three months, is in too fine of form and the number is too ripe to pass up.
Add in the fact Crystal Palace will miss standout Martin Kelly after he picked up a knock in training and the Toffees should not see that streak end when their foes come to town.
The Bet(s): Everton (-165)
[Bet now at PointsBet. NJ only.]
Watford at Brighton Hove & Albion
Watford odds: +240
Brighton odds: +112
Draw odds: +235
Over/Under: 2.5 (-115/-115)
Time: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET
Times have been tough for both clubs, who continue to fight for their Premier League lives in their respective quests to avoid relegation.
Brighton, which has gone 1-2-2 in its last five outings, currently sits in 15th place on 26 points and might be catching Watford at the right time. The Seagulls rallied from two goals down to earn a point and draw last week at West Ham United, while Watford blew all three points it seemed to have secured in a loss against Everton.
Oddsmakers have tabbed Brighton the favorite entering this match, but the value lies on the road side. Watford is the definition of desperate, sitting in the relegation zone in 19th place and must fashion a result in this contest.
Watford vs. Brighton Tale of the Tape
- Brighton has conceded a goal at home in 5 of its last 6 Premier League contests
- Watford has scored at least one goal in 7 of its last 8 Premier League matches
- The total has stayed under 2.5 goals in Brighton’s last 4 home matches against Watford across all competitions
- Six of Brighton’s last seven Premier League home matches have seen the total stay under 2.5 goals
With a road match at Old Trafford and a home tilt against Premier League leader Liverpool looming, Watford has to get after it against Brighton, and that should open things up.
Take the road dog on the spread and sprinkle a little on both sides to find the back of the net.
The Bet: Watford +0.5 (-130); Both Teams To Score: Yes (minus-145)
[Bet now at PointsBet. NJ only.]
Bournemouth at Sheffield United
- Bournemouth odds: +425
- Sheffield United odds: -139
- Draw: +240
- Over/Under: 2.5 (+124/-164)
- Time: Sunday, 9 a.m. ET
Sheffield United has firmly secured and embraced the “Cinderella” tag in this season’s Premier League action. Once thought as a club destined for the bottom of the table and season-end relegation, the Blades have stunned everyone but themselves and currently sit sixth in the standings.
Sheffield has been the model of consistency as well during its magical run, going 5-3-2 in its last 10 league matches, and surprisingly finds itself only a point behind powerful Tottenham in the league table.
On the other side, Bournemouth found itself in the relegation zone, only to reel off wins against Aston Villa and Brighton to barely get clear of the drop area and vault into 16th-place.
Bournemouth vs. Sheffield United Tale of the Tape
- Bournemouth has lost 6 of its last 7 road Premier League matches
- Total has stayed under 2.5 goals in Sheffield United’s last 9 league contests
- Bournemouth has failed to score in its last 3 road league matches
- Sheffield United averages 1 goal per match and is unbeaten in its last 5 matches against Bournemouth across all competitions
The big key for me in this match is Sheffield’s home prowess, specifically in the defensive side, against Bournemouth’s terrible road form. The Blades have five shutouts in 12 home tilts at Bramall Lane this season, while Bournemouth has lost six of its last seven on the road and 10 of its last 14 matches overall.
I think Sheffield United should come through in a low-scoring affair.
The Bet(s): Sheffield United (-160); Under 2.5 goals (-160)
