Liverpool V Everton Extra Spread

The 207th Merseyside Derby takes place at Anfield with Liverpool still right in the hunt to claim their 19th English League title, however local rivals Everton will be looking to throw a spanner in the works by claiming a first win on the red side of Stanley Park since 1999.

If Everton are to win they will need to keep their discipline in check, and spread bettors will be interested to know that the Toffees have had three men sent off in their last three games with the Merseyside counterparts. They will also have to find a way to get through the Liverpool defence. Football bettors will also like to know that the Toffees have put just one goal passed Benitez’s stern Liverpool defence in its last four games.

Everton do however go into this game on a good run of form, unbeaten in their last four league outings, including a credible draw at home to Liverpool’s title rivals Chelsea and a 3-0 demolition of Sunderland at Goodison Park. They also possess an away record second only to Chelsea, having picked up seven wins out of ten on the road so far this season conceding just ten goals. Spread bettors who are attracted by the goal minutes markets will be interested to know that two of Everton’s away wins have come as a result of last minute winners, at Man City and Bolton.

As for Liverpool, this is a game that they simply must win. If not for some slightly dodgy form at Anfield, Rafa and his men could be a lot further ahead at the top than they currently are. Despite been unbeaten at Anfield, goal less draws at home to Stoke, West Ham and Fulham and the recent 2-2 draw with Hull have meant that any more slips up at home must be avoided.

They will draw huge amounts of confidence from their home record against the blue side of Merseyside, having won four and drawn four of their last eight encounters, and they go into the game on a high having recently found their shooting boots, smashing in eight goals over the festive period including the 5-1 demolition of Newcastle.

Everton will also have to keep a keen eye on the Liverpool striking duo of Kuyt and Torres, who have been responsible for the last five goals that the reds have put past them. Kuyt grabbed two penalties in the game at Goodison Park last season, whilst Torres slotted the winner at Anfield last season and both goals in the victory at Goodison in early September this season.

With the sides due to meet twice in the space of seven days thanks to the FA Cup draw, it promises to be an interesting week on Merseyside for <a onClick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href="http://www.sportingindex.com/sportingindexweb/spread-betting/football-uk-season/">football spread betters</a> who couldnot ask for more.