It's a huge game at Anfield on Sunday where Paul Higham fancies Sadio Mane to keep his electric goal scoring form going for title-chasing Liverpool.
Recommended bets
1pt Sadio Mane to score anytime at 7/5
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We're heading down the final furlong in the Premier League, which means the big games will come thick and fast from here on in. They're all big games at this stage of the campaign, but this is a huge fixture at any time of the season, never mind when Liverpool are going for the title and Spurs battling for the top four.
With Man City getting to play first this weekend, The Reds will most likely be chasing again and with Pep Guardiola's side looking unstoppable it may take Jurgen Klopp's side winning all there remaining games just to stand a chance of pinching the title.
It may not quite be a must-win yet for Spurs, with a point not the worst result from Fortress Anfield, where the Reds haven't lost in 36 Premier League games, but, style-wise, Mauricio Pochettino's side won't mind at all if the hosts come flying at them and they're able to play on the break.
We had a controversial 2-2 cracker last season, and hopes are high for a repeat, but it should be said that after an international break, and with so much at stake, both sides might be content to keep things tight in the early stages at least.
Mo Salah should be freshened up by a break, Sadio Mane is on fire, while Harry Kane has pocketed an MBE and has a great scoring record against Liverpool so we're definitely in for a few goals. Spurs had a winless four-game run before the break, but whether that's helped them get back on form or not, we'll find out on Sunday.
Injury-wise, Spurs have a problem at the base of their midfield with both Eric Dier and Harry Winks missing out, and against Liverpool's movement up front and energy of their midfield three, that could be where this game is won and lost.
Betting guide
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham (Sky Bet odds: 7/1)
This could be a bit more cagey than we'd hope for to start with, and after all we've got two of the best three defences in the league here. I'd on the verge of predicting a clean sheet for Liverpool but Kane must be on a high after the last week or so and his record against the Reds is pretty good so he's s decent shout to get a goal.
Best bet: Sadio Mane to score anytime at 7/5
Only now, after 12 goals in 12 games, is Mane getting the credit he deserves as he's largely been Liverpool's best attacking threat all season long. He's still a better price than Salah in the anytime market and in some places is the same price as Divock Origi - I know where Id rather have my money! Tactically as well, Kieran Trippier has not been the best defensively so facing Mane will be a nightmare for him.
Stats: Sadio Mane and Harry Kane to have 5+ shots on target at 8/1
These two love to have a shot, they're both in form and, even in a game that's going to be tough and hard-fought, they're both liable to have a poked even from distance so this selection is, while a tad risky, more than capable of coming in.
RequestABet: Over 2.5 goals, Mane to score, under 11 match corners, 20+ booking points each team
Liverpool v Tottenham Opta stats
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 24 home Premier League games against Spurs (W15 D8 L1), a 0-2 defeat in May 2011 under Kenny Dalglish.
- Spurs have won just one of their last 12 Premier League games against Liverpool (W1 D4 L7), winning 4-1 at Wembley in October 2017.
- Only Man City (19) have won more points than Liverpool (13) in Premier League meetings between the ‘big six’ this season, while only Man Utd (6) have won fewer points than Tottenham in such matches (7).
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 36 home Premier League matches. If they avoid defeat here, it will be the joint-second longest unbeaten home run in the competition’s history (Chelsea 86 2004-2008, Man City 37 2010-2012).
- Liverpool have conceded six goals in their five Premier League home games in 2019, as many as they had in their previous 17 at Anfield.
- Spurs are winless in their last four Premier League games (D1 L3). They last went five without a win in the same campaign back in February-March 2012 under Harry Redknapp.
- Tottenham’s Harry Kane has been involved in four goals in four Premier League appearances against Liverpool at Anfield (3 goals, 1 assist).
- Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has never won against Jurgen Klopp at Anfield in four meetings in all competitions (W0 D2 L2). His only victory away against Liverpool was as Southampton manager in September 2013 when the Reds were managed by Brendan Rodgers.
- No player has scored more Premier League goals in 2019 than Liverpool’s Sadio Mane (9, level with Sergio Aguero), with the Senegalese star’s nine goals coming in his last nine games.
- After a run that saw him score 11 goals in 12 games in all competitions between December and February, Son Heung-min has failed to score in his last five appearances for Spurs. Indeed, each of Spurs’ last four goals in all competitions have been netted by Harry Kane.
Odds correct as of 2230 on 29/3/19
