Everton vs Liverpool Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Prediction & Betting Tips

Liverpool make the short trip to Goodison Park this weekend to take on Meseyside rivals Everton on Saturday night.

All eyes will be on Steven Gerrard as he gets set to play in his final Mersey derby and the skipper will be confident of securing all three points as Liverpool have lost only once in their previous 16 games against Everton.

The Reds are also on a good run of form as they head into the game off the back of just one defeat in 13 games in all competitions with the latest win coming thanks to a late turnaround against Bolton on Wednesday night to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Brendan Rodgers side sit seventh in the Premier League table but are just four points off the top four so will be desperate to see that gap close even further this weekend.

Everton have endured a difficult season so far but Roberto Martinez’s men have started to find a bit of form at just the right time, and come into the match unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions – although four of those have ended in a draw.

The only victory was a narrow 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last week so the Toffees will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins to improve upon their 12th-place position in the table.

Team News

Rodgers will make a late decision over whether to start Daniel Sturridge after the striker made second half cameo’s in each of the last two games, but the feeling is the England forward will once again be among the subs.

Liverpool will also have to make a late check on Lucas Leiva after he missed the mid-week win at Bolton with a thigh injury but the Brazilian is expected to return to the starting eleven.

Lazar Markovic picked up a back problem at the Macron Stadium so might not be risked from the start.

Everton expect James McCarthy to return from injury while Aaron Lennon could make his debut after his deadline day loan move from Tottenham.

However, Tim Howard remains out with a calf injury so he joins Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar and Tony Hibbert on the sidelines.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Everton 1-2 Liverpool: As always, we expect a fiercely competitive Merseyside derby but Liverpool are the team with the momentum and the return of Sturridge could prove decisive in this one, so I’m going for a narrow away win.

What team would you like to see start and what’s your predicted score for the game?