WhoScored Tipster: Sunday Betting - The Merseyside Derby and More
Come this time in the season a weekend is always going to feature important games, and this week's clashes are as key as any. Super Sunday in the Premier League is a tasty one, while Barcelona can all but secure the Primera Division title and Napoli can do much to end Inter's dwindling hopes of European qualification for next season.
Liverpool vs Everton - Preview
Whilst the 5 points and one place that currently separate the Merseyside teams are not necessary to fuel this rivalry, they do mean there is even more to play for than merely getting one over the enemy. Although Liverpool's hopes of catching Spurs in fifth are all but over, their fans will be relishing the chance to dent the Toffees' chances of doing so. They will again be without star man Luis Suarez, but last week's 6-0 trouncing of Newcastle will have persuaded many that that would survive should the Uruguayan leave in the summer. Liverpool also won the only other league game that Suarez missed this season - a 3-2 victory at Upton Park - and will thus strongly believe that they are capable of putting a few past Tim Howard here.
What's more, Everton have won only 1 of their last 12 Merseyside derbies in the Premier League and none of the last 12 at Anfield. They have come away with nothing from 5 of their last 8 games at Liverpool, and with the home side on a high after last week's result they are good value to win here too. Those two aforementioned games without Suarez have produced 11 goals, while 17 of Liverpool's last 20 Premier League matches have gone over 2.5. Everton might have conceded only once in their last 4 matches, but this is not the kind of game in which they'll be able to hold out for 90 minutes. Bet on Liverpool to win with over 2.5 goals scored at 2.60.
Manchester United vs Chelsea - Preview
Yes, United may have already won the Premier League title, but that is highly unlikely to mean a team marshalled by Sir Alex Ferguson will roll over when foes Chelsea come to town. The Blues have to win to keep up their hopes of finishing third, and will look to catch a lackadaisical home side unawares early on, as Arsenal did last week. Games between the sides tend to have plenty of goals; 29 have been scored in the last 6 clashes, the 1-0 win for Chelsea in the most recent meeting something of an anomaly. In a relaxed home atmosphere, this game may not be as highly charged as one would usually expect, but with United having netted in each of their last 66 home Premier League games - a record - and Chelsea desperate for three points, both teams should score, and that can be backed at 1.61.
Napoli vs Inter - Preview
Inter Milan's vast injury woes are now so bad that they are set to be without 13 players for Sunday's trip to Naples. The home side are finishing the season strongly, and by the time this game comes around Juventus will likely have sealed the title and Milan should have closed the gap behind the Partenopei to 4 points. Napoli therefore will be looking over their shoulders and will want to keep up the good run of form that has seen them win 5 of their last 6 matches. Here, hosting an Inter side who have scored only one goal in their last 6 Serie A games at Napoli, and will be severely weakened, we could be in for a comfortable home win. Furthermore, Inter have lost their last 2 away games - at Palermo and Cagliari - without scoring, and again lacking any real goalscoring threat up front, they will struggle at the San Paolo. A home win to nil is available at odds of 2.50 and could be worth a punt.
Barcelona vs Betis - Preview
With Real Madrid hosting mid-table Valladolid on Saturday, it is likely that Barcelona won't be able to secure the league title against Betis this weekend, but after such embarrassment at the hands of Bayern Munich in the week, they will be keen to return to winning ways and Betis could be on the wrong end of a Catalan backlash. Barcelona have won 9 and drawn two of their last 11 home games in La Liga against Betis, scoring an average of 3.2 goals per game in that run. Betis do, though, tend to score against Barça, and have done so in 14 of their last 15 league meetings. 4 of the 5 goals they have scored in their last 3 games against the soon-to-be-crowned champions have been scored by Ruben Castro. The home side should win, but the meagre odds of 1.25 not worth the risk, so go for a longshot and bet on Barcelona to win with Castro netting anytime at 12.00.
