The Merseyside Derby between Liverpool and Everton is one of the best fixtures in English football.
Liverpool are a +135 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook for this one, with a draw available at +235. Everton are +215 to pull off the home upset and take all three points.
This is my prediction and pick for the Premier League tie between Liverpool and Everton.
Everton vs. Liverpool Prediction
Liverpool Preview
This has not been the title-defense season that Liverpool would have hoped for. Last season could not have gone any better for Arne Slot’s first season in the Premier League, lifting the league title for Liverpool. However, just one year later, Slot’s job is massively in jeopardy. Liverpool have not been in serious contention for the Premier League this calendar year and are battling just to compete in the Champions League next season. Meanwhile, they were demolished by Manchester City and PSG to get knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League over the last couple of weeks. This race for the top five in the Premier League is now all that Liverpool have left to play for. Injuries also continue to mount up for Liverpool, with star striker Hugo Ekitike rupturing his Achilles tendon in the Champions League match against PSG.
Everton Preview
For Everton, it has been a solid first season at Hill Dickinson Stadium. This will be their first time hosting the Merseyside Derby at their new stadium, making this a major event for the club. Everton are doing quite well in the first season of this new era, currently sitting in eighth place in the Premier League. Only one point separates them from Chelsea in sixth place. If Everton can be the best team from that cluster of clubs over the final few matches of the season, they will be playing European football next season. David Moyes has brought some real stability back to the club and is paying off massively. The perfect cap-off to this season would be knocking off their struggling intra-city rivals to truly cristen Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton vs. Liverpool Pick
My best bet for this match is for Liverpool to get the win. Despite their struggles across multiple competitions, Liverpool are the more talented side. The Reds have been pushing it to the max in multiple competitions. The fact that the only thing left to play for is Champions League qualification might actually free the team up. The pressure of trying to capture some silverware was surely weighing heavily on the players, but now that this will be a trophy-less season, the Reds could finally play some more composed football. Liverpool defeated the Blues 2-1 at Anfield in the first Merseyside Derby of the season. Even with the injuries they are dealing with, Liverpool will have the likes of Mo Salah, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and the wunderkind Rio Ngumoha leading the Liverpool attack.
Over the last nine Merseyside Derbies, Liverpool have won six, there have been two draws and just one Everton win. Liverpool should keep their reign of dominance in this fixture going and get a much-needed three points.
