Historic Merseyside Derby handicap data

Historic Merseyside Derby handicap data

By Michael Gales Nov 15, 2013

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Despite both teams starting well in the Premier League this season Liverpool and Everton have actually struggled on the handicap. So with the handicap set at 0 for the fourth consecutive Merseyside Derby at Goodison, we look at the historic handicap data to see who might have the edge.

Everton struggling on the handicap 

Since his arrival in the summer Roberto Martinez has given Everton (2.940*) a fresh impetus and adapted their playing style from direct to possession based.

The Spaniard now prepares to lead his blue army into his first Merseyside Derby, after an excellent start to the campaign that has seen the Toffees lose just once in their opening 11 Premier League games.

Currently six in the EPL after five wins, five draws and just the solitary defeat, Martinez is laying down impressive foundations in order to re-build the club with his possession-based philosophy.

Everton have covered the spread just 27.3% of the time

After such a good start bettors could be forgiven for expecting Everton to have performed well against the handicap. However somewhat surprisingly the Toffees have covered the spread just 27.3% of the time – the joint second worst in the Pinnacle Sports’ handicap table.

Everton are historically strong at home – winning 63% of their home games last season – and this season is no different with three wins and two draws.  On the handicap they have covered just once at home this season, while last year the covered in 42% of games.

Interestingly, they pushed in 21% of games last season, and have already pushed twice at home this season (40%). Is this a sign that the bookmakers have a good judge on Everton’s relative strength?

How do Liverpool perform on the road against the handicap?

Liverpool (2.590*) responded in positive fashion after losing 2-0 to Arsenal by beating Fulham 4-0 at Anfield last time out.

The Reds have made a flying start to the season and sit second just two-points behind leaders Arsenal. However, such is the competitiveness towards the top of the EPL, a defeat to Everton would see their rivals would go level on points.

Liverpool’s start has been helped by their potent strike-force of Luis Suarez (8) and Daniel Sturridge (8) who have scored 16 goals between them. But has this free scoring form helped Liverpool against the handicap?

Despite winning 63% of EPL games this season the Reds have covered in 45.4% of games and sit mid-table on the Pinnacle Sports’ handicap league.

Liverpool struggled on the road last season wining just seven games, but despite this covered the handicap in 47.3% of away games. This season in their five games away from Anfield they have covered two and failed three times.

Merseyside Derby: Head-to-Head

Everton have struggled recently in the Merseyside Derby winning three, losing six and drawing one of the last ten games at Goodison Park.

The handicap form at Goodison mirrors the results with Everton covering just 30% and Liverpool 60% with one push.

By taking a closer look at the handicaps for these previous ten encounters it highlights Everton have never been favourites, while five of the games, including the last three, have been set at a 0 Handicap. Everton are at 2.100* to cover the handicap, with Liverpool at 1.847*.

With the Merseyside Derby handicap set at 0 goals for the fourth consecutive year at Goodison it highlights that the bookmakers believe the strength of the two teams are equal at Goodison once more, its up to bettors to decide whether they agree or disagree.

Click here to see the latest Merseyside Derby odds.

*Odds subject to change

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