Betting preview ahead of Liverpool’s showdown with Crystal Palace

Liverpool head into the final game of the Premier League season knowing victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield should be enough to secure a top four place.

The Reds have endured a torrid, injury-plagued campaign but a recent run of good form has seen them close the gap on their rivals and they’re now just one win away from qualifying for the Champions League next year.

Liverpool currently sit fourth in the table after beating Burnley last week and are just one point behind third-placed Chelsea. However, only +4 goal difference separates the Reds from fifth-placed Leicester so Liverpool need to equal the Foxes result to guarantee a top four place.

A comfortable victory over Palace this afternoon would leave Leicester needing to thrash Tottenham at home to stand a chance of over-turning the goal difference so the Merseysiders are in pole position to secure a Champions League place.

Betting odds

There is sure to be plenty of interest in the betting markets for this game and bookmakers will be vying for business with competitive odds. Bookies these days offer poker, horse racing, slots, free casino games and bingo but they know football betting is still the most popular activity among punters so they have to offer competitive odds to draw in the customers.

Understandably, Liverpool are the heavy 2/13 odds-on favourites to win the game this afternoon but bettors will be looking for more value in the market. Palace are 16/1 if you fancy an upset while the draw at 8/1 could also tempt some but we can’t see past a home victory today.

In order to secure better odds we’ll have to be creative and betting on Roberto Firmino to open the scoring in a 3-0 Liverpool win can be backed at odds of 35/1 at some leading bookmakers.

Team news

Liverpool continue to have plenty of injury problems as Virgil van Dijk remains on the sidelines with a serious knee injury while fellow centre-backs Joe Gomez, Ben Davies and Joel Matip are also still out.

Jordan Henderson has stepped-up his recovery from a groin injury lately but this game comes too soon while Naby Keita is a major doubt with a muscle injury that’s hampered him lately.

However, there is a slight chance Ozan Kabak could return from a knock while Diogo Jota will also be handed a late fitness test as he looks to overcome an ankle injury – although a place on the bench is probably the best they can hope for.

As for Palace, striker Christian Benteke is hoping to recover from a knock that he sustained during the defeat to Arsenal in midweek. Tyrick Mitchell is also a doubt with a muscle issue.

Luka Milivojevic, Eberechi Eze, James McArthur, Mamadou Sakho and Connor Wickham are certain to miss the trip to Anfield due to injury.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Crystal Palace