Liverpool v Leeds: Ekitike to fuel 25/1 New Year's Day Bet Builder | OneFootball

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Liverpool v Leeds

Reds getting results again but failing to convince

Liverpool are up to fourth in the table after three straight Premier League wins and they form part of a seven-match unbeaten run (five wins, two draws) in all competitions.

But even the most ardent Reds fan will struggle to believe that the champions are back and purring again. True, results breed confidence but Liverpool have spent the last two games nervously holding on for victory against a team with nine men (Spurs) and a side with two points from 18 games (Wolves).

Yes, they won both matches but Arne Slot's men still give the impression that a calamity awaits. And, of course, that happened in the game against Leeds just under four weeks ago when they blew a 2-0 lead, eventually having to settle for a 3-3 draw after the Whites equalised deep into injury-time.

The man who put them 3-2 up in that game, Dominik Szoboszlai, returns for this one after being suspended against Wolves and he's been their best player this season.

And although Mo Salah (two goals in two games for Egypt at Afcon so far) is away and Alexander Isak out injured, other Liverpool frontmen - namely Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz - are hitting form.

Leeds looking up rather than down

Ahead of Leeds' home game with Chelsea at the start of December, the writing looked on the wall. With Liverpool up next, Daniel Farke's job seemed under massive threat and there was absolutely no guarantee that the club could find the right man to avoid what had the air of an inevitable slide towards relegation.

But the switch to 3-5-2 that had almost gained the most unlikely of points at Manchester City after Leeds had gone 2-0 down has worked wonders.

Four points from Chelsea (3-1) and Liverpool (3-3) was followed by a good point at Brentford before they crushed Crystal Palace 4-1 at Elland Road.

After another worthy result - a 1-1 draw at a Sunderland side still unbeaten at home - Leeds head into the New Year fixtures seven points clear of third-bottom West Ham.

Reds repeat looks best

Leeds caused a shock when they last visited Anfield in October 2022, winning 2-1. To add context, it was the first time Virgil van Dijk was on the losing side in a Premier League home game, having been unbeaten in his first 70 at Anfield for the Reds.

Leeds are 5/1 to pull off another shock, while Liverpool are 40/85 and the Draw 10/3.

Liverpool, who have won five of their last six Premier League games on New Year's Day (the other was a draw), are 2/1 to take victory in the Match Odds and Both Teams To Score market. That's landed in their last two outings via the 2-1 wins over Spurs and Wolves.

There's certainly an argument that Leeds could take something but you'd want the practicalities onside too. By that, I mean Liverpool are playing back-to-back home games in this busy week while Leeds have had to travel twice. In addition, Liverpool have had an extra day to recover due to Leeds playing at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

But the Reds won't expect an easy ride from this rejuvenated Leeds team and perhaps the most likely outcome is for Liverpool to nick it by the odd goal again.

The simplest market to go to is Winning Margin where you can back Liverpool to win by exactly 1 goal at 13/5.

Ekitike to shine again

Hugo Ekitike helped himself to two goals in the first meeting with Leeds and added another brace at home to Brighton in his next Premier League start.

A header at Spurs made it five in three top-flight games and that almost became six in four but his curling effort hit the base of the post against Wolves.

But the Frenchman, who set up Florian Wirtz to score a quickfire second with some great skill, is flowing with confidence and worth following.

The same can be said of Leeds' Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who scored for the sixth straight game with the equaliser at Sunderland.

Liverpool's weakness at defending set-pieces should have DCL licking his lips and he's certainly worth a look at 3/1 to net anytime.

Goals for Ekitike and Calvert-Lewin combined with Liverpool winning by a single goal pays 25/1 on the Bet Builder. That would be a nice start to the betting year and it certainly doesn't look far-fetched.

Ekitike has also shown that he can put away his first chance of the game, however early it comes. The most obvious example is his opener against Brighton which he fired high into the net after just 46 seconds.

In addition, Leeds have conceded first in eight of their nine Premier League away games this season.

Back Liverpool's No.22 to net the first goal at 7/2. That's landed in two of his last four starts.