After a midweek winner, George Pitts returns to preview Sunday's action in the Premier League with Newcastle considered good value to win at Crystal Palace.
Super Sunday recommended bets
3pts both teams to score & over 2.5 goals in Liverpool v Spurs at 5/6
1pt Newcastle (draw no bet) to beat Crystal Palace at 39/20
Crystal Palace v Newcastle (1415 GMT)
It is vital for teams battling relegation that they beat the clubs around them and, with Crystal Palace struggling with injuries, this fixture may come at a perfect time for Newcastle.
This may only be 13th v 14th, but both sides are hovering dangerously close to the bottom three in one of the most congested battles for survival in years.
Rafa Benitez’s side have been critically short of goals this term and the Spanish boss acted by signing Islam Slimani on loan from Leicester until the end of the season. The Algerian forward has vowed to fire the club to safety, but he is a doubt for this important tie as he nurses a thigh problem.
In his absence Dwight Gayle could lead the line against his former employers, and he's 57/20 to score anytime on his return to south London.
Wide players Kenedy and Christian Atsu could also trouble Palace’s full-backs with their pace and direct approach after impressing in the draw with Burnley in midweek. With all of this in mind the Magpies – who tend to perform more freely away from St James’ Park – look good value to secure their fourth win on the road this term.
Roy Hodgson’s Eagles have been set up well at times this season, especially at home, and they are tough to break down after taking the lead so Newcastle must avoid conceding first.
But Hodgson cannot account for injuries to key players Bakary Sako, Scott Dann, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jason Puncheon, Connor Wickham and Jeffrey Schlupp and transfer deadline day signing Alexander Sorloth could be thrown straight into the action on another tough outing for Palace.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 0-2 Newcastle United
Best bet: Newcastle (draw no bet) at 39/20
Alternative: Half-time draw/full-time Newcastle at 8/1
Liverpool v Tottenham (1630)
A big game for both sides in the battle for places inside the Premier League's top four.
The midweek win over Manchester United sent fifth-placed Tottenham within two points of Liverpool and Chelsea, in third and fourth respectively and face another serious test of their credentials when it comes to securing Champions League football.
Spurs looked back to their best in that 2-0 victory and they will be hoping for a repeat performance against a team they thumped 4-1 in the reverse fixture in October.
Liverpool's unbeaten league record at Anfield this term makes them favourites at a shade of odds-against one and it is hard to disagree, despite the clear threat posed by Spurs. They ended Man City’s unbeaten run with a thrilling 4-3 win on home turf last month and Jurgen Klopp will be looking for the same sort of performance once again; in the same way that they gained revenge for a prior away defeat to City, they'll expect to do so here against Tottenham.
The Reds had been on a good run before back-to-back defeats to Swansea and West Brom (in the FA Cup), but they returned to winning ways on Tuesday with a comfortable 3-0 win at Huddersfield which came at just the right time.
Mo Salah netted his 19th Premier League goal of the season, putting him just two behind Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot and it's probably no surprise that the first goalscorer betting can't split them at 9/2. With such attacking flair in both sides, it certainly easy to envisage goals in this one and a Liverpool win/both teams to score double is a tempting 13/5 chance.
Lucas Moura appears unlikely make his Tottenham debut after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day. The Brazilian’s pace and trickery means he should seamlessly slot into Mauricio Pochettino’s side alongside any of Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, Heung-min Son and Kane, but this would be no gentle introduction to Premier League football and its relentlessly high intensity - especially for a player who reportedly needs to prove his fitness.
With or without Moura in the middle, it's Spurs' attacking wing-backs who could cause Liverpool’s defence a lot of trouble but it could play into the hands of the hosts' counter-attacking style, which gives them the edge.
But rather than side with Liverpool, it should pay to get stuck into both teams contributing to three or more goals in the game, a rock-solid bet at 5/6.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham
Best bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 5/6
Alternative: Mo Salah and Harry Kane both to score anytime at 4/1
Posted at 1605 GMT on 02/02/18.
