Liverpool v Everton: Reds will win derby but Toffees can score

It's the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night and Dan Fitch has his money on a Liverpool victory in which Everton will find the net.

Liverpool 1.41 v Everton 9.60; The Draw 5.30
Wednesday 4 December, 20:15
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Record breaking Liverpool put aside frustrations

Liverpool go up against their local rivals at a time when they could scarcely be in a stronger position.

The reigning champions of Europe are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after 14 matches (W13 D1). This is Liverpool's best ever start to the season and their win over Brighton on Saturday saw their overall unbeaten league run - which stretches back to last season - equal the club's record of 31 games (May 87 to March 88).

It seems churlish to offer criticisms at a time of such consistency, but just to give Everton fans some hope, there are a couple of concerns. Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in 12 games across all competitions. That lack of defensive solidity has contributed to the side often scraping wins rather than easing to them, as was so often the case last season, but you could look at that as a positive. Even when far from their best, the wins continue to come.

Alisson will be missing on Wednesday after being sent off against Brighton. The goalkeeper will join the likes of Nathaniel Clyne, Fabinho and Joel Matip on the sidelines.

Silva lining up for the sack

In total contrast to Liverpool, it's fair to say that Everton could hardly be at a lower point.

Currently 17th in the Premier League, a defeat could see Everton slip into the relegation zone. They have only won two of their last ten league games (D1 L7).

Marco Silva surely cannot hang onto his job for long and the fact that he is still there seems more like a symptom of Everton not having an obvious replacement, rather than any serious hopes that he can turn things around. Silva's appointment was a strange one in the first place and the club badly need to get it right this time. That's going to be tough when they will no doubt be looking for someone who can both guide the team away from the relegation zone in the short-term and build for a brighter future.

There are a lot of injuries for Silva to contend with. Seamus Coleman, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Fabian Delph, Andre Gomes and Theo Walcott are all likely to be out for the short trip across the city.

Home side odds are generous

Liverpool are the 1.41 favourites, with the draw at 5.30 and Everton at 9.60.

Given the respective form of the two teams, you could argue that Liverpool's price is pretty generous, even at such short odds. That makes it a good starting point for additional caveats to boost their price.

Liverpool are 2.10 to win half-time/full-time, which has paid out in two of their last three Premier League games. The other obvious option is for a Liverpool win and both teams to score at 2.90. Liverpool are conceding regularly and Everton have scored in five of their last six games, despite their poor form.

Goals sure to flow

Both teams to score is a big price at 1.87 for a standalone bet. It's landed in all of Liverpool's last 12 matches.

When it comes to identifying the scorers, the lack of form of Mohamed Salah could be beneficial. His odds have risen to 2.10, the same price as Liverpool's top scorer Sadio Mane, who has eight Premier League goals this season.