Everton v Liverpool Tips: Rodriguez to find the target against the champions

Domestic football returns this weekend and we’ve got the small matter of a Merseyside derby to deal with on Saturday. The game kicks off at 12:30  and can be viewed live on BT Sport 1. Everton currently sit top of the table with four wins from four whilst Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool make the trip to Goodison after an astonishing 7-2 tonking from Aston Villa.

Yerry Mina suffered a thigh injury when on International duty with Colombia last week and Ben Godfrey may step in to his role at centre-back to make his debut for the Toffees. Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman will both face late fitness tests with Carlo Ancelotti confirming both Andre Gomes and Allan are both fully recovered and available for selection. 

Thiago Alcantara and Sadio Mane will both be available for the champions after recovering from Covid-19. Alisson will miss out due to his shoulder injury, although Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri have been cleared to play despite testing positive at the start of the international break.

Having a look at the prices for the game and Don Carlo’s side have been given a 27% implied chance of victory with odds of 11/4 from most bookmakers. The draw is available to be backed at 3/1 with a win for Liverpool being offered at the odds-on price of 5/6. I’ve had a look through the markets and have picked out three selections I like the look of for the game.

James Rodriguez 1+ shot on target - 2pts @ 10/11 Betfair / Paddy Power

Trent Alexander-Arnold 1+ shot on target from outside the area - 1pt @ 4/1 Paddy Power

Mane & Richarlison 1+ shot on target, Joe Gomez & Calvert-Lewin to be carded - 0.25pts @ 40/1

The first in this trident of tips for Saturday lunchtime is James Rodriguez to land one or more shots on target, priced at 10/11 with both Betfair and Paddy Power. The Colombian has really hit the ground running since arriving on Merseyside this summer. The 29-year-old has already bagged himself three goals in the league and has contributed three assists. 

When it comes to shots on target Rodrgiuez has landed four already this season and is averaging bang on one a game. He enjoyed the most productive season of his career under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid in 2014/15 and the manager appears to be getting the best out of him again at Everton. SkyBet have this same selection at just 8/13 which gives plenty of appeal to the 10/11 on offer from Betfair and Paddy Power for Rodrgiuez to register one shot on target in the game.

Next up I’m backing Trent Alexander-Arnold to have one or more shots on target from outside the area. This is available at the boosted price of 4/1 with Paddy Power which I’ll be having a small play on. The Liverpool right-back ranked third in the Premier League when it came to shots on target from defenders last season. Only teammate Virgil Van Dijk and Matt Doherty racked up more in the league.

Trent is yet to get off the mark this season in the Premier League with shots on target, however it’s not for a lack of trying. Over the four games so far this campaign, the England International has taken eight shots, all of which came from outside the area. 

With this game being a local derby I’m expecting plenty of fouls to be awarded and with Alexander-Arnold on free-kick duty, I think he will get a few chances to strike at goal. Betfair and Paddy Power have the 22-year-old priced at 9/4 for a shot on target so I’ve opted to take the 4/1 for him to land a shot on target from outside the area. 

Moving onto my longshot for the game and at 40/1 I’ve opted for Sadio Mane and Richarlison to have one or more shots on target with both Joe Gomez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to be carded.

Sadio Mane was one of the star performers in the Premier League last season and he’s the first name I’m including into this Same Game Multi. The Senegal forward has already scored three times this season and is averaging 1.5 shots on target per game. 

For Everton I’ve opted for Richarlison to land a shot on target in the game, simply as Dominic Calvert-Lewin is too short a price for me to include here. The Brazilian has taken 14 shots already this season (6th highest in the league) and he’s always looking to get a shot away. 

Onto the bookings and the first I’ve selected is Joe Gomez of Liverpool. Nobody picked up more yellow cards for Liverpool last season than Joe Gomez who racked up seven in 28 appearances, six of those as a substitute. 

I fancy Gomez to have a nice little battle with Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Everton who I’m also backing to pick up a card off Michael Oliver. DCL recorded the most cards out of any player in the Everton squad last season with nine in the league. That’s an impressive haul for a striker and I’m surprised to see so many names shorter than him in the betting with Paddy Power to pick up a card.

Best of luck to those following the selections. I’ve hit the bar with two of my most recent longshots with three out of four elements landing in the last two England games. Let’s hope for better this weekend and you can find a full range of football tips on BettingOdds.com here. 

Please always remember to gamble responsibly