The AI-driven supercomputer at Opta has established Liverpool as the clear favorites to win this weekend’s Merseyside derby at Anfield. Kicking off early on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp’s team will face the Blues as they return to action following the international break. The fact that the Reds have only suffered a single defeat to their cross-town rivals since 2010 is also encouraging. Cody Gakpo’s injury return and the club’s group of South Americans returning from international duty should also help.
Additionally, Opta has given Liverpool a 67 percent chance of winning at lunch on Saturday to solidify their position ahead of the derby. A victory would make it three straight at home against Everton. The system correctly called five results on the weekend prior to the break. Based on the fact that this is the most drawn-out match in English football history, they have assigned a 12 point 2 percent probability for an away win and a 20 point 8 percent chance for a draw. It’s interesting to note that Liverpool will be deemed the Premier League’s dominant team if they defeat their rivals before any other teams begin their campaigns, either by goal differential or goal total. Will that be temporary, or will it last indefinitely? That will depend on improbable losses for the unbeaten top two teams, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, as well as 2022–23 treble winners Manchester City. Monday night’s matchup pits current leaders Spurs against London rivals Fulham.
Although the predictive model favors Spurs with a 51.8% chance of winning, it will be a close victory. Then, Arsenal visits Chelsea in a different London derby. Once more, not much is indicated by the percentages for this match: Chelsea is rated at 34.7%, Arsenal is at 36.3%, and there is a draw at 29.0%. Last but not least, Opta has backed City, just like Liverpool has, as they crush Brighton at home.
Pep Guardiola’s team has a 68.8% chance of winning. Using the highest percentages from each, Liverpool is regrettably kept in fourth place, and the standings remain unchanged for another week. Anything can happen on derby day, which is a lesson the Reds must learn and at least give them a glimmer of hope for the London club matches.
