Premier League: Liverpool vs Newcastle preview

Premier League leaders Liverpool will be hoping to avoid an upset and extend their unbeaten run beyond New Year's Day, the first step is on Wednesday when they face Newcastle United at Anfield. Last season the Reds defeated the Magpies 2-0 at home with goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, while the reverse fixture ended 1-1 as Joselu canceled out Philippe Coutinho's opener. Newcastle have won two of the last six direct matches, but both victories were recorded at St James' Park. In fact, the last victory for the Magpies at Anfield was back in 1995. Liverpool remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League this season, they have won fifteen matches and drawn three so far, scoring 39 goals and conceding just 7 in eighteen matches. They have also secured their passage into the first knockout round of the Champions League with the 1-0 victory over Napoli, their only failed competition this season was the League Cup where they were unable to get past Chelsea. Last week the Reds secured a solid 2-0 victory at Wolves and extended their lead at the top of the table to four points. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Joseph Gomez and Joel Matip remain injured, and Naby Keita might also be out after having picked up a few knocks in last week's match. Newcastle had managed to spring back to life in November and December after a disastrous run of eleven matches without victory in all competitions at the start of the season. Since the start of November the Magpies have won four of their eight matches and only lost twice. It is true that they haven't played against any of the big Premier League teams during this past couple of months. Last week Newcastle were unable to get more than a goalless draw at home against Fulham, but for now they remain above the relegation zone. Karl Darlow and Ciaran Clark are out injured, while Ki Sung-yueng is away on international duty at the Asian Cup. Probable line-ups: Liverpool: Alisson - Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson - Henderson, Wijnaldum - Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane - Salah Newcastle: Dubravka - Yedlin, Fernandez, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett - Ritchie, Hayden, Diame, Kenedy - Rondon My prediction: Liverpool to win 3-0, Jurgen Klopp's football machine can't be stopped by the Magpies. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Liverpool win - 1.16 Draw - 8.50 Newcastle win - 19.00