Monday, January 19, 2009

PACKED MIDFIELD AT ANFIELD ...............

LIVERPOOL - EVERTON

These derby games at Anfield are traditionally tight and I see this one being little different. Pool will be looking for the win that will take them back to the top of the table, but have not handled such pressure situations well in recent seasons. They will welcome Fernando Torres back to the starting line up, but have struggled to break down a number of well organised defences in the past couple of months, notably Stoke and both Fulham and West Ham here.

Everton certainly fall into that category and since losing (unluckily) to Villa, they have kept six successive cleansheets and won five times. This has pretty much coincided with the loss of all strikers, which has meant the team is flooded with midfielders and this has worked incredibly well for David Moyes men. He will be without the suspended Marouane Fellini, which might eventually cost them tonight, but with Pool also playing two holding midfielders, it is going to be very tight for space in the centre of the pitch. Visitors last six away starts and the reverse fixture have all been 0-0 at the break and it is hard to see this being too much different.

Looking at both teams opening 45 minutes play this season in the EPL, Liverpool have drawn 62% of all games, 70% at Anfield, Everton 57% of all and also 70% on the road. We can bet the half time stalemate at 2.25 which equates to 44.44 %, if you shop around you might even find a shade higher, about what is clearly a value price.

5 points half time draw 2.25 general quote.

Good Luck.


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