Everton look overpriced at 4/1 to inflict a second straight home defeat on Liverpool (8/11 to win in 90 Mins) in Tuesday’s 217th Merseyside derby.
But the draw (13/5) still looks like being the most likely result given that all that’s gone before the match - which takes place one day before Toffees boss David Moyes celebrates ten years in charge.
Moyes underlined why he could be one of the hottest names on the managerial merry-go-round this summer when his Everton side topped Tottenham 1-0 on Saturday – just hours after Liverpool had slumped to a disappointing loss at Sunderland.
The Goodison Park side are now only two points behind their cross city rivals and will be champing at the bit to inflict more misery on Kenny Dalglish’s men by winning at Anfield – something they last did three years before Moyes arrived in 1999.
Liverpool’s home form this year has been the main reason behind their seventh place standing in the Premier League. The Reds have won only four of 13 matches at Anfield – and have drawn eight times.
Four of the last six meetings between the sides have also been draws, including last season’s January encounter which finished 2-2 after Dirk Kuyt’s 68th minute penalty levelled the scores (5/1 Liverpool To Score a penalty, 7/1 Everton).
Kuyt was on spot-kicks then because Steven Gerrard (13/2 First Goalscorer) was injured and the influential Liverpool skipper’s involvement in this fixture greatly improves his side’s chances of winning the match.
Gerrard (7/4 Anytime Goalscorer) scored in the 2009 derby at Anfield, which finished 1-1, but Kuyt also bagged from open play when Liverpool won the 2010 clash.
Kuyt missed a penalty when the two teams met earlier this season at Goodison Park which meant he did not score in his fourth Merseyside derby in a row.
The Dutchman has scored only one Premier League goal this season – a disappointing return from a player who hit 13, nine and 12 in his last three campaigns.
Kuyt has been coming off the bench for Liverpool recently and making an impact – as he did in extra time at the Carling Cup final.
He has scored three goals in his last eight appearances for Liverpool and on two of these occasions, it was the last goal in the match (Kuyt 7/1 Last Goalscorer)
Everton have scored in their last seven Premier League matches, a run in which they are unbeaten – having defeated Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester City during that spell.
Liverpool should hold no fears for Moyes’ men, particularly with their dodgy home record and the price on an Everton comeback victory (20/1 Everton Win from Behind) must be worth some consideration given Liverpool’s recent inability to hold onto leads against Cardiff City and Arsenal.
However, the draw looks the most likely result after 90 minutes and with Everton’s last three Premier League away games having ended 1-1, a fourth in a row should probably be backed on Tuesday night (6/1 in Correct Score betting).
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