Leeds United vs Liverpool verdict, predicted score, key stats and suggested bets

Premier League, Monday, April 17, Kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports

Both teams to score

Over 2.5 goals

Leeds United have the second-worst defensive home record in the league with 24 goals conceded at Elland Road.

Liverpool have won just three of the 15 Premier League matches they have played away from Anfield.

Victory for Leeds would mean a first league double over Liverpool since 2000/01.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five visits to Elland Road.

Javi Gracia tends to be tight-lipped when it comes to the latest injury news, but it's safe to assume that Tyler Adams (hamstring) and Stuart Dallas (broken leg) will miss out.

The Leeds United manager did reveal that several players are nursing knocks ahead of the Liverpool game, but didn't reveal who. He did say that Max Wober (hamstring) will be assessed over the weekend though.

Ibrahima Konate (knock) is a doubt for the trip to Elland Road. Naby Keita (muscle), Stefan Bajcetic (groin) and Calvin Ramsay (knee) are unavailable, but Luis Diaz is set to make his return.

Despite enjoying a strong start to the campaign under Jesse Marsch, Leeds United subsequently slid down the table and haven't been able to distance themselves from the bottom three for much of the season.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are making extremely hard work of booking their place in Europe. The Champions League is starting to look out of reach, while even the Europa League could be a bridge too far.

Although Leeds have struggled in 2023, going winless in 11 of their 14 Premier League matches, the Whites have achieved just one win fewer than Liverpool.

The main issue for Jurgen Klopp's side has been winning games away from Anfield. Newcastle United are the only side they have beaten since the turn of the year, with their dismal tally of four goals in eight away matches the main cause.

Despite their struggles in front of goal, it's worth noting from a betting point of view that Leeds games guarantee goals.

Things feel more secure under the stewardship of Javi Gracia, or at least they did until Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace thumped five past Illan Meslier at Elland Road last time out. The second-half capitulation was unexpected to say the least, and it means that Leeds have conceded more goals than any other Premier League side this calendar year.

Whether you love them or hate them, the Yorkshire outfit are always a captivating watch, and one pleasing aspect of their play has been their performance in front of goal. Patrick Bamford, Jack Harrison, Luis Sinisterra and Rodrigo have all been among the goals in recent weeks, with United registering 10 in their last five matches.

Liverpool's leaky defence offers hope that Leeds could complete a Premier League double over their visitors for the first time since the 2000/01 season, although the Reds' growing vigour in attack is the biggest threat to that.

Luis Diaz will be welcomed back into the fold in time for the trip to Elland Road. He'll relish the opportunity to run at an out-of-form Luke Ayling should he start, with the Colombian likely to offer some of the pizzazz that Liverpool have missed on their recent travels.

Their second-half performance in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal was one of their better showings and led to their highest xG of the season. Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino bagged themselves a goal apiece, while Darwin Nunez should have scored too.

The comeback against the league leaders should have given the Reds some renewed optimism heading into Monday Night Football and it isn't as if they were lacking in motivation for this fixture.

Leeds' shock 2-1 win earlier in the campaign means that just they and Real Madrid have won at Anfield this season. Klopp has referenced that result in the build-up to this match, with the expectation his side will play with an intensity that was missing in October.

Neither side can be trusted to keep a clean sheet at this point, so backing both teams to score feels like a good starting point. If you fancy a big price, then it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that both sides find the net more than once.