Opta Big Match Stats: Liverpool to earn thrilling victory

This is the kind of occasion on which Mario Balotelli often thrives

The Opta trends flag up two things for the Merseyside derby: a Liverpool win and a lot of goals...

Liverpool v Everton
Saturday, 12:45
Live on BT Sport 1

Match Odds: Liverpool 1.9420/21, Everton 4.47/2, The Draw 3.814/5

Everton have not won away at Liverpool in the league since September 1999 (L7 D7 since)

In the bottom half after five games having lost more than they have won, this obviously hasn't been a vintage start for Liverpool. However, only one of those defeats occurred at Anfield, where they have found a way past second-placed Southampton and first Champions League visitors Ludogorets. Everton have encountered even more early difficulties, winning one of their six domestic fixtures and ending three of the latest four empty-handed. They have been beaten on two of their last three trips to Anfield, being thrashed 0-4 in their debut appearance there under Roberto Martinez.

Recommended Bet: Back Liverpool to win @ 1.9420/21

Liverpool have kept only one clean sheet in their last 11 Premier League games

Everton have a surprisingly shoddy scoring record at Anfield, with Opta noting that they have netted just five goals in their past 12 Premier League ventures across town, but it seems highly unlikely that they will be shut out this time. Despite sitting a lowly 14th, the Toffees have notched at least twice in each of their last seven league matches, equalling their longest sequence. Liverpool contributing to the scoresheet should be a formality: they have fired a mere two blanks across their past 38 outings.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.654/6

There have been a league-high 24 goals in Everton's Premier League games this season

That's a quite extraordinary average of 4.8 per fixture, as they simultaneously possess the division's most porous defence (13 goals in five matches) and second most productive attack (11 strikes). Adding further flavour to this punchy recipe for a goal-showered derby showdown is the fact that Liverpool's Premier League games averaged a league-high 4.0 goals each last term, with their meetings with Man City and West Ham passing the 3.5-goal mark already this season.

Recommended Bet: Back over 3.5 goals @ 2.6213/8