Harry Redknapp will lead his Hotspurs to Anfield with the hopes that he can knock off one major contender for the Top Four places. Benitez will try his best to make this difficult, but is missing several key players.
Yossi Benayoun,
Steven Gerrard and
Fernando Torres are all out with various injuries, making this match an uphill fight. The Reds are in poor spirits as well. A 1-1 draw with Stoke City followed a 2-1 defeat to Reading that saw Liverpool out of the FA Cup. They have only lost twice while at home, however, and the arrival of
Maxi Lopez from Atletico Madrid should raise the squad's spirits as they try to turn their plummeting season around.
Tottenham are enjoying another great start to their domestic campaign. Although they are 7 points behind 3rd place Arsenal, they have acquired the last spot that matters: 4th place. Although the gap between 3rd and 4th is likely to grow, this will be the coveted position for teams like Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham. After Chelsea, Tottenham are currently the best scoring team in the Premiership thanks largely to the efforts of strikers
Peter Crouch and
Jermaine Defoe. With both players set to start this match, the
Liverpool back line will have their hands full. Redknapp's injury concerns include Lennon, Woodgate, Cudicini and Ekotto. Tottenham are only seated in 4th place on goal difference and will want to take advantage of an out-of-form Liverpool.
Both managers have everything to play for in this match, and
Tottenham appear to be the favored side. With so many key players missing from
Benitez's Reds, Spurs should be able to exploit the situation and get all 3 points.
Liverpool F.C. vs Tottenham Hotspur
Wednesday January 20, 2010
Kickoff: 21:00 CET
Venue: Anfield (Liverpool)
Tip: Tottenham (1X2)
Best Odds: 3.15 @ BetFair
