Leicester vs. Liverpool: Visitors ‘even-money favourites to strengthen stranglehold’ at the top

Liverpool return to Premier League action as world champions after beating Brazilian side Flamengo 1-0 after extra-time in the FIFA Club World Cup final in Qatar.

Despite being based over 4,000 miles away while 18 of the other 19 Premier League sides continued their usual domestic duties at the weekend, the Reds’ healthy ten-point lead at the top of the table remained intact after third-placed Manchester City beat second-placed Leicester 3-1.

And the runaway leaders now have the chance to strengthen their stranglehold as top dogs by beating Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Boxing Day.

The bookmakers make them favourites to do so, with a Liverpool win evens.

The draw is 13/5, while a Leicester win is 5/2.

Liverpool have a strong record against Leicester of late, having won four of the last five league meetings between the sides.

The one exception was the 1-1 draw at Anfield in January, which was one of a series of draws which ultimately prevented Liverpool from winning their first league title since 1990.

Both teams to score landed in all five of those meetings, and is priced at 8/13 here.

Liverpool won three of those five games by a 2-1 scoreline, which they have also done on seven occasions in the league this season.

The same outcome on Boxing Day is 17/2.

In terms of goalscorers, it’s hard to look beyond the in-form Jamie Vardy, who bagged once again in Saturday’s defeat to Man City. He’s 5/4 to do so again here; with seven goals in 10 games against Liverpool, it’s tough to back against him adding to that tally.

Mohamed Salah is 7/5, Sadio Mane is 13/8, and Roberto Firmino, who scored two winning goals in Qatar, is a decent-looking 23/10.

The Brazilian’s four league goals this season have all come away from Anfield and he’ll certainly be full of confidence after ending his barren run in front of goal.