Liverpool – Newcastle United

The home team will beat the tired opponents after the match in Paris.

Liverpool and Newcastle United will clash at Anfield on a late Saturday evening in the central fixture of the Premier League matchday. The English top clubs are not strangers to a quick turnaround, so the opponents are not much bothered by the need to play in the league after the final round of the Champions League group stage, which took place on Wednesday. At the same time, the workload faced by players of both clubs in the elite European tournament is radically different. Liverpool at their home ground hosted Qarabakh, whom they easily hammered with six unanswered goals. The xG gap (5.92 vs 0.21), shots toward goal (38 vs 5) and shots on target (12 vs 1) indicate the Merseysiders' easiest stroll this season. In turn, Newcastle United gave their all in Paris, where they faced the strongest European club of the previous year. PSG were motivated from a tournament standpoint, but thanks to the Magpies' high level of self-sacrifice, they not only held the match to a draw but also had chances to snatch a victory. As a result, the physical fitness of Arne Slot's players should be much higher than that of their opponent. Bookmakers have made the home side the favorites for the upcoming match, offering odds of 1.80 on their victory. Perhaps Liverpool's overly bright football against Qarabakh was a consequence of their first defeat in two months, which the Reds suffered at Bournemouth in the league. Losing 2-3 to Bournemouth, Arne Slot's team settled in sixth place. Naturally, the minimum task for the Merseyside club now is to finish in the top 4, which would allow them to compete in the Champions League next season. Therefore, when facing a side like Newcastle, Liverpool players do not need to be particularly motivated. The effort in front of their fans will be off the charts. Eddie Howe's side will visit Anfield as the ninth-placed team in the table. Liverpool is one of the Magpies' toughest opponents in English football. Since December 2021, Newcastle have lost to the Reds in eight of ten head-to-head meetings and have won only once. Let's believe in Liverpool's ability to beat a strong opponent.