Good old Lee Dixon. Takes us for a draw

Taken from Betfair:

Luis Suarez misses this match through suspension and that should mean a chance for Andy Carroll to impress. But the stats and Newcastle's recent form suggest backing Liverpool isn't a good idea, says Lee Dixon.

I hope that all the talk ahead of the match doesn't revolve around Luis Suarez, who seems to be making headlines for all the wrong reasons at the minute. I'd rather that people are discussing the players who are going to take to the pitch rather than those who aren't. I suspect that won't be the case though.

Match Odds

Having just said the above, I can't help but mention Suarez's suspension myself! But only to make the point that Liverpool's odds have drifted from around 1.42 to their current price of 1.65 purely on the back of the news that the Uruguayan sits this one out as a result of that 'incident' at Fulham a few weeks ago. As things stand, he'll be spending far more time on the sidelines than on the pitch over the next couple of months.

That's bad news for Liverpool. They may be dropping far too many points at the moment and not scoring nearly enough goals but Suarez is at the heart of everything they're doing well in forward areas. Still, they do have Steven Gerrard almost back to full fitness and they need their skipper on the pitch at a time when things aren't going their way. Not just because of what he gives you in terms of passing, tackling and goals but also because of the spirit and leadership he brings to the side.

As for Newcastle, the collapse predicted by many simply hasn't come. They began the season with a team work ethic that saw them united, organised and playing good football. They built this on a back line that didn't change for the first nine or ten matches. Add to this some solid tackling from the likes of Cheick Tiote and Demba Ba`s goals and you have a successful team. The problems were going to come with injuries. That has happened but they're still doing well. Cynics may argue that beating Bolton doesn't exactly warrant a standing ovation but any away win in the Premier League is hard to come by. Just ask Manchester City after their goalless draw at West Brom.

Liverpool's price may have drifted but even at the bigger 1.65 I don't fancy backing them to win this match. Opta tell us Liverpool are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games at Anfield, but have drawn five of the last six. My money is on that last stat quickly becoming six of the last seven.

 

Hope he is right, though think Liverpool will just have enough to beat us.

 

I like Lee Dixon. He seems nice.

 

Lee Dixon seems clued up. As does Martin Keown... which is why motd 2 has become better than motd!

 

THIS! MOTD 2 has far, far better levels of punditry, and is a lot more fun to watch. However Goals on Sunday still beats anything the BBC can come up with.

 

Agree with all that he said about both teams, think they might just have a bit too much for us on the night, but a draw is a fair prediction and a very balanced view to go with it.

 

Although he's a bit annoying sometimes, Colin Murray is also a knowledgeable presenter. Much better than Linekar anyway!

 

Think he comes across better because he was originally a football fan who worked on Radio 1, so is more like us, where as Linekar has always been in football and doesn't have the same perspective as the everyday fan.

 

I like Colin Murray, much better than Lineker.

Also you get treated with Gabby Logan from time to time.

 

Whilst we are talking about BBC pundits, has anyone noticed Lawro's obsession with Wolves?

http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Mark_Lawrensons_Predictions_2011-12.html

http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Mark_Lawrensons_Predictions_2010-11.html

 

I said it earlier. 31 points?! Thirty-one ****ing points!

 

Bloody hell I always feel if they are about to get relegated.

 

On the subject of Lawro, his latest prediction for our game has six paragraphs about the opposition and two about us...what a tool!

 

Yes but he does Liverpool and they are his pride and joy. He is always biased towards them on Match of the Day.

 

I love goals on sunday, especially watching it with left over garlic bread off Saturday nights takeaway...

 

Yeah prefer to having to listen to Lawrenson and Hansen, plus its not the same old people on Goals on Sunday every week.

 

Lee Dixon and Gary Neville are by far the best pundits on TV.

 

Yes Gary Neville was surprisingly very good at punditry and has been one of the most complimentary pundits towards us.

 

Yeah Neville has surprised everyone this season, he's been a breath of fresh air on SS1, after the ****e that was spouted by Andy Gray over the years.

 

The BBC should just stick to Dramas and Documentaries and let Sky have all the Football, Soccer Saturday and Goals on Sunday are leagues ahead of MOTD and Final Score. Sky wins in all areas; pundits, coverage, unbiasedness (?) and entertainment!