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How do you figure out Liverpool?
A year ago they came within one point and one goal of a feat no English club has ever accomplished, winning the quadruple. They won the FA and Carabao Cup, but finished second to Manchester City by a single point in the league and lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League Final in a game they largely dominated.
Don Brennan’s daily hit on the world of sports betting. Whether you’re new to sports gambling or an experienced wagerer, this newsletter offers trustworthy insights into the odds game. 19+. Please gamble responsibly.
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This season started with a disappointing draw at Fulham and that set the tone for the season.
They have looked old, flat, willing but unable to play their old aggressive style that presses teams into mistakes. The plans for next season are to inject major funds into the squad with names like Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount being bandied about to revitalize the midfield. They’ve had a whack of injuries too, which along with their fatigue may be the underlying reason for their crash this season after a crushing 68 games last season in all competitions, the maximum they could play getting to the final of three cups on top of their league campaign.
This week their hottest modern rivalry resumes playing at Manchester City. Before this mediocre international break, the club lost 1-0 to last-place Bournemouth. This was after walloping Manchester City 7-0 in a record romp. This has been the template for Liverpool’s season, they have beat Manchester City, Newcastle twice, Manchester United, Tottenham and frankly if not for a couple of dodgy decisions easily could have won at leaders Arsenal. But they have lost to not only Bournemouth, but Leeds and Nottingham Forest as well.
They sit seven points out of the top four and the Champions League qualification that would be paramount to attracting new players in the summer. Spurs are in fourth and have played two games more, but Newcastle are in fifth, five points up on Liverpool with the same games played so the Magpies may be the team they’re really chasing.
The injury crisis has abated slightly, Diogo Jota is back but the biggest relief may come from Luis Diaz, the crafty Colombian forward will make at least the bench for the match against City, though the midfield has been the weakest link and Thiago is still out for a few more weeks.
Following the City match Liverpool play Chelsea and then leaders Arsenal. It’s a murderous three-game stretch, but if Liverpool can win two of them they only have Tottenham left on the schedule in terms of teams that are above them.
Speaking of Spurs they finally fired manager Antonio Conte during the break as it was clear he wanted out, antagonizing the club whenever a microphone was in front of him. They have a massive game with desperate Everton this weekend and will need a comprehensive push with Newcastle and Liverpool nipping at their heels.
There’s often a bounce when an interim manager is put in, with Conte assistant Cristian Stellini stepping in. Cristiano Romero and Richarlison spoke this week that they would have left Spurs if Conte stayed, so there may be a freeing of the players with him gone.
While the Top Four contains intrigue the bottom of the table is fascinating. There’s an 11-point gulf between 11th Aston Villa and 12th place Crystal Palace. But from Palace down to the relegation zone there are just three points separating the eight teams, and just four points from rock bottom 20th Southampton and Palace. Literally any three teams of Southampton, Bournemouth, West Ham, Leicester, Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Everton, Wolves and Palace could end up going down. Palace play Leicester, Wolves face Forest, West Ham host Southampton on the weekend so the relegation battles are kicking off all over the place.
SATURDAY: Manchester City v. Liverpool; Arsenal v. Leeds; Bournemouth v. Fulham; Brighton v. Brentford; Crystal Palace v. Leicester; Nottingham Forest v. Wolves; Chelsea v. Aston Villa.
SUNDAY: West Ham v. Southampton; Newcastle v. Manchester United.
MONDAY: Everton v. Tottenham.
TUESDAY: Bournemouth v. Brighton; Leeds v. Nottingham Forest; Leicester v. Aston Villa; Chelsea v. Liverpool.
WEDNESDAY: Manchester United v. Brentford; West Ham v. Newcastle.
Serie A
What should be a landmark game this weekend looks to be a lopsided affair on paper. Last year’s champions, AC Milan, travel to Napoli who sit in first. But Napoli have made a mockery of the league this season with a 19-point lead over second-place Lazio. Milan are desperately holding onto the last Champions League spot, One point up on Roma and three up on Atalanta.
Napoli have a whopping 48 goal difference while AC Milan’s is a measly eight. Goal difference can be a deceiving stat, but a 40-goal difference tells a monstrous tale for Milan and it’s going to be a difficult task to even escape Naples with a single point.
SATURDAY: Cremonese v. Atalanta; Inter Milan v. Fiorentina; Juventus v. Hellas Verona.
SUNDAY: Bologna v. Udinese; Monza v. Lazio; Spezia v. Salernitana; Roma v. Sampdoria; Napoli v. AC Milan.
MONDAY: Empoli v. Lecce; Sassuolo v. Torino.
La Liga
Going into the international break, Real Madrid had a chance to at least keep La Liga interesting. They didn’t. They lost 1-0 to Barcelona in El Classico which gives Barca a 12-point lead atop the table. Considering they’ve only given up nine goals in 26 league games this year, give the Catalans their trophy now. The only real drama in La Liga this season is can Real Betis in fifth catch Real Sociedad in fourth for that last Champions League spot. Betis go to Madrid to face third-place Atletico this weekend.
FRIDAY: Mallorca v. Osasuna.
SATURDAY: Girona v. Espanyol; Athletic Bilbao v. Getafe; Cádiz v. Sevilla; Elche v. Barcelona.
SUNDAY: Celta Vigo v. Almería; Real Madrid v. Real Valladolid; Villarreal v. Real Sociedad; Atlético Madrid v. Real Betis.
MONDAY: Valencia v. Rayo Vallecano.