Leeds vs Liverpool Preview and Betting Tip

When these two teams met in the Premier League earlier this season they served up a seven goal thriller. The Reds came out on top in that barnstorming contest, eventually winning 4-3. Jurgen Klopp’s side would give their right arms for a similar result on Monday night but Bielsa’s men might have something to say about that. The hosts are the 19/5 underdogs while Liverpool are priced up at 4/6. If you fancy the draw you can get on at 18/5. Leeds vs Liverpool kicks off at 8.00 pm and you can watch it live on Sky Sports. Check out Dave Stevos’ preview and betting tip for the big match below.

Leeds Marching On

If you are looking for entertainment, Elland Road is a great place to find it these days. Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds team is a joy to watch and when they are at their brilliant best, they are almost unstoppable. Defensive frailties, especially from set-pieces, have plagued them this season. However, they showed a lot of improvement at the back when they beat Man City 2-1 last week.

The sending off of Liam Cooper after 45 minutes looked like it would cost them dearly. Leeds had just taken the lead thanks to a brilliant Stuart Dallas goal. Just three minutes later, they were reduced to 10 men. However, the expected collapse didn’t materialise and Leeds defended diligently up until the 76th minute when Ferran Torres drew City level. Leeds survived another onslaught as City searched for the winner but there was a sting in the tail. Stuart Dallas broke clear in injury time and slid the ball home to secure a famous 2-1 win.

That made it three wins in a row and four games unbeaten for The Whites and  they will be very confident coming into this match. They have had 8 days off to recover from their exertions vs City and they welcome Jack Harrison back into the fold. Raphinha is an injury doubt while Liam Cooper is suspended but even so, this Leeds team has the quality to cause Liverpool lots of problems on Monday night.

Liverpool low on confidence

Liverpool fans were hoping and praying that they could make up for their dreadful title defence by winning the Champions League. Real Madrid shot that dream down in flames though, securing a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Wednesday to seal their place in the semi-finals. It was a hammer blow for Liverpool and their confidence will surely be on the floor now.

All that is left now for The Reds is the battle for a top 4 finish. Will they have the stomach for the fight? I am not too sure. In fairness to Kabak and Phillips they have done as well as could be expected at centre back. They just lack pace. Robertson looks like he is exhausted while the form of Alexander-Arnold has been wildly inconsistent. He was arguably Liverpool’s best player on Wednesday night but the previous week he was woeful in Madrid.

Thiago was dropped for both Madrid games and it looks like Klopp simply doesn’t fancy him. Keita is also out of favour so the tried and tested trio of Milner, Fabinho and Wijnaldum will have to go back to the well again. Sadio Mane has scored once in the Premier League since December 19th and Firmino has scored once since November. Klopp will be relying on Jota and Salah to get the goals on Monday but they have hardly been setting the world alight. This will be a huge test of character for Liverpool and if they manage to win, they will surely go on to claim a top 4 finish.  

Leeds vs Liverpool Recent Form

Both these teams are in decent form coming into this match. However, Liverpool’s mood will be a lot darker following their exit from the Champions League. On the upside, they have won three in a row in the EPL and while the opposition hasn’t been up to much, they still deserve credit. Leeds are unbeaten in four, including matches against Champions League semi-finalists Chelsea (0-0) and Man City. Bielsa’s side have looked a lot more secure at the back in recent weeks and that could make all the difference on Monday night.   

Leeds vs Liverpool Betting Tip: Bielsa’s Boys The Value

This match could possibly be the defining one in Liverpool’s season. If they win it, they should go on to claim a top 4 slot. If not, it will make that task so much harder. This Liverpool team is mentally fragile at the moment, especially without Henderson driving them on from midfield. They are vulnerable at the back and there is no better man than Marcelo Bielsa to exploit those weaknesses.

Leeds managed to score three against Liverpool when The Reds were at full strength. Yes, they conceded four but the last few matches have shown that Leeds are a much better side defensively now. They may well concede again on Monday, but they have enough attacking ability to score more than once themselves and I think they can put Liverpool to the sword. I am going to take a chance on Leeds -1 at odds of 19/2 with BetVictor.

Stuart Dallas is also worth backing in the anytime scorer market. The Northern Irishman bagged a brace vs Man City, his 6th and 7th goals of the season. Only Patrick Bamford has scored more for Leeds this term. Dallas loves to bomb forward and he should get in behind the Liverpool high line at some stage during the 90 minutes. At odds of 17/2, back Stuart Dallas to score at any time.  

Leeds vs Liverpool Tips: Leeds -1 @ 19/2 BetVictor; Stuart Dallas to score anytime @ 17/2 Betfair

Key Quotes – Leeds vs Liverpool

Marcelo Bielsa – “My conclusions are not the same as yours. We haven’t been able to play as equals against the traditional top six. To anticipate when this will happen is not prudent. These types of things, more than announce them, you have to demonstrate them and up until now we haven’t managed it.”

Jurgen Klopp – “They were down to 10 early on (Leeds vs City) so there’s not a lot to take in terms of tactics but they had big character. With the passion they showed they deserved the win.”

Dave Stevos