Newcastle vs. Liverpool Predictions: Two data driven bets including a 10/1 shot

Newcastle United welcome title-chasing Liverpool to St James’ Park Saturday lunchtime, with the clash being shown live on BT Sport. We've asked our regular pundit TipsterJ to cover this one and provide us with his best two bets. 

Newcastle and Liverpool are two of the in-form sides in the Premier League, both with different ambitions. Newcastle have gone from deep in a relegation battle to now having one eye on a top half finish as they currently occupy 9th place in the Premier League. The Magpies scored 3 vs Norwich without reply in their last league outing making it four wins in a row, but their home form is even more impressive – a win here would be Newcastles 7th home win on the bounce but it certainly won’t come easy vs this Liverpool side who can’t afford to drop Points.  

Liverpool followed up their 2-0 Derby win Vs Everton with a convincing 2-0 victory in a Champions League Semi-Final against Villarreal. The reds have now won 12 of their last 13 Premier League matches which has seen them close the gap to Manchester City to just 1 point. A historic Quadruple is still on the cards for Jurgen Klopps side and a much needed win here can the pressure on the current Champions who don’t play until later on Saturday. Newcastle can take confidence in their home form, mixed with the fact that Liverpool have only won 4 of their previous 8 games away from home.  

For my main selection I am delving into the props market and backing Matip to complete 2 or more tackles, best price of even money at Bet365. 

Konate completed a full 90 minutes in the week vs Villarreal, so I expect the Cameroonian to regain his place in the starting 11 here at the right Centre-Back spot. 

Saint Maximin will play down this side and the French winger as we all know is a tackle magnet. Team-sheets suggest he will directly oppose Liverpool right back Trent Alexander-Arnold, but with how the reds play I feel Matip is a much better bet, despite the fact Trent has been hitting some good tackle numbers as of late. ASM will be a threat on the counter as he is to most sides, and with Liverpool pushing the Fullbacks so high, the defensive high line leaves a lot of 1v1 Scenarios for the two starting Centre backs, and the holding midfielder.  

Matip should start on the right side, and is definitely the aggressor of the 2 Centre backs when he plays next to Virgil Van Dijk. The Cameroonian managed 6 tackles in his last game which shows he is not afraid to put a foot in. He has also completed 2 or more tackles in 12/17 previous League starts, so even money would suggest value, even more so when considering Saint Maximin will play down that flank. 

For my second play, I am combining 4 selections to create a 10/1 Bet Builder that is available on Bet365. 

• Jota is another player who should get some good minutes here. A hectic schedule for Klopps side means rotation is essential. He averages 3.4 shots per 90 minutes. 

• Liverpools offside trap should see Newcastle get 2 or more offsides here. Liverpool opposition average 3 or more offsides per game 

• I fancy Newcastle to give this game a right go infront of their own fans now they are safe from the drop. 8 or more shots should be achievable, a feat Brighton, Palace and Burnley all managed in recent games when playing host to Liverpool. 

This 10/1 Bet builder is worth a half a point for me, and can hopefully at least go close Saturday lunchtime.