Four Premier League games have survived on Tuesday, headlined by Liverpool’s trip to Leicester City in the 8pm kick-off.
After Arsenal’s home match with Wolves and Leeds versus Aston Villa were postponed due to Covid-19 cases, there are now just three 3pm games taking place before the Reds go to the King Power later looking to move back to three points behind leaders Manchester City at the top.
City’s wonderfully-entertaining 6-3 Christmas win over the Foxes means they have opened up a significant cushion now and, with Pep Guardiola’s side looking ominously back to their very best, Liverpool know they can barely afford to drop points anywhere if they are to stay on their coat-tails.
Usually, a trip to Leicester is viewed as one of the more trickier away games in the top flight but considering the East Midlands’ outfit’s current absentee list, this is surely a game the Reds will quickly take control of.
Depleted Foxes May Struggle
Brendan Rodgers has Patson Daka, Ricardo Pereira and Caglar Soyuncu all freshly unavailable to add to a group of players who were already ruled out – Harvey Barnes, Jonny Evans, Danny Ward, Wesley Fofana and James Justin.
Furthermore, full-back Ryan Bertrand is a doubt after he injured his knee in the warm-up prior to that Boxing Day defeat at the Etihad. Rodgers, at least, should be able to call upon Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy after they were benched against Man City.
The feeling is Liverpool will be able to dominate large parts of the clash and the 5/6 on HT/FT for the Reds seems the right way to go, considering Klopp is set to welcome back key trio Thiago, Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho after they came out of isolation after recently testing positive.
Klopp has reported no fresh Covid cases in the build-up, so skipper Jordan Henderson should also be available after he missed the draw at Spurs last time out with illness but Andy Robertson is out as he’s suspended for his sending off in that same game.
Palace Too Much for Struggling Norwich
In the earlier matches, Crystal Palace should be able to pick up just their second win in their last seven when they host bottom-of-the-table Norwich City.
The Eagles were well beaten by Tottenham 3-0 on Boxing Day but should have enough to see off the Canaries, who were hammered 5-0 by Arsenal on Sunday. The 5/4 on Palace to win to zero appeals, especially as hapless Norwich have been beaten to nil in their last four outings.
Southampton’s home clash with Spurs is an intriguing affair as Saints impressed in their 3-2 Boxing Day win at West Ham and they can at least get something against Antonio Conte’s improving side.
Spurs are much more solid under the Italian and they also seem to be carrying a bigger goal threat, the draw looks a good option here at 12/5 and 1-1 in the correct score market at 5/1 is another to consider.
Hammers Must Pick Up
Finally, the Hammers will want to return to winning ways at Watford after a disappointing recent run of results overall for David Moyes’ side.
They still remain top-four contenders as they’re only seven points adrift of Arsenal, currently in fourth, with a game in hand, but the reality is at the moment they’ve only won one of their last seven in the league, losing four in that sequence, and they risk falling behind in the tight race for Champions League places unless they rediscover their form soon.
An away win at 6/5 looks on the cards at Vicarage Road, though, as the Hammers go up against a team that has lost their last four straight and Claudio Ranieri’s men will also be rusty as they’ve not played since December 10.
*All odds correct at time of writing.