Game Week 19 Predictions: Liverpool to beat Leeds

Premier League preview: Liverpool vs Leeds United at Anfield – Reds chase top-4 gap, Leeds on survival roll (Calvert-Lewin hot); verdict Liverpool win

Liverpool can move closer to the frontrunners with a win against Leeds United but, the Elland Road landlords are in great form, how will this pan out? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

 Liverpool vs Leeds United

Anfield Stadium

6:30pm

After Manchester United failed to beat Wolves, and Chelsea settled for a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, Liverpool has a chance to extend their advantage on the fourth spot on Thursday.

Happy new year, everyone, and welcome to our predictions table once again. The first fixture of the year pitches champions Liverpool against Premier League new boys Leeds United, a game of huge significance at both ends of the table.

Leeds United have been on a roll, six points clear of the drop zone with a game in hand on Nottingham Forest, whom they lead by two points, West Ham, Burnley and the already condemned Wolves. Is Daniel Farke about to lead Leeds United to league survival?

Liverpool has won four of their last five games, including four straight wins, and to make this fixture quite interesting, Leeds United are unbeaten in their last five games. It’s been a huge turnaround for the Elland Road landlords, and now, they’re bringing the energy to the doorsteps of the champions.

Liverpool can close in on Aston Villa, who currently sits in third, six points off the Gunners. After Unai Emery’s men lost at the Emirates on Tuesday, a win for the champions against Leeds United sees Villa’s hold on 3rd spot cut to 4 points.

What has changed for Leeds? A tweak in formation, going from three at the back to four at the back, has strengthened Leeds’ defence and given the midfield some cover. The way they fought back to earn a point against Sunderland shows how great they are recently; Liverpool must be wary of them.

Who are the players to shape this particular fixture? For the hosts, you sense a shift in the mentality of Florian Wirtz; you expect him to start firing after finally breaking his duck against Wolves. Wirtz is one player to look forward to in this fixture.

Hugo Ekitike has been a revelation for the champions. Despite the arrival of Alexander Isak, the Frenchman has been the leading light, and you expect him to stamp his authority on this fixture as well. Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are the other two that should impress in this one.

Dominic Calvert Lewin is the form player of the league. He became the first Leeds player to score in six straight games; he is immense for the visitors, and the Liverpool defence must be wary of him. This is one fixture that could go either way, but the champions should find a way to win.

Verdict: Straight win for Liverpool.