Liverpool vs Leeds Prediction 1 January 2026
🔊 Will Liverpool finally put an end to their prolonged slump? It seems the question might already be settled, as the Merseysiders are unbeaten in their last seven matches. In the 19th round, the Reds host Leeds at Anfield. The Peacocks are also on a solid run, avoiding defeat in five consecutive league games. Which team's streak is more likely to continue? We'll assess the odds for both sides in our editorial prediction.
Head-to-Head
📊 Since their return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence, Leeds have faced Liverpool seven times. The Merseyside club holds a dominant advantage with four wins compared to just one for the "Peacocks." The teams have drawn twice. Their encounters are highly entertaining, with the over 2.5 goals mark hit in six out of seven matches, and both teams scoring in five of those games.
Head-to-head statistics Liverpool - Leeds
Liverpool Team Overview
Arne Slot is gradually restoring Liverpool's former glory, a resurgence that was evident at the start of this season. In their last seven matches across all competitions, the team remains unbeaten, including six in the Premier League. During this period, the Reds have surged from 12th to fourth place in the league standings. However, they still trail the top three by a significant margin of seven points.
In the 18th round of the Premier League, Liverpool hosted Wolverhampton at Anfield. The home side's dominance was clear in the stats (67% possession to 33%; 1.8 expected goals to 0.84), but not so much in the final scoreline (2-1). This marks the second consecutive match where the Reds have secured a 2-1 victory, having done the same against Tottenham. As the year draws to a close, Florian Wirtz has stepped up, earning Man of the Match honors for the second game in a row, thanks to an assist against Spurs and a goal against Wolves.
Match Results: Liverpool
Leeds United Team Overview
Leeds are currently enjoying their best form of the season, remaining unbeaten in five consecutive Premier League matches. Impressively, all their opponents during this stretch were from the top 10 of the league, with two of them being defeated. However, these results have yet to significantly impact their standings: the "Peacocks" have moved up just one spot from 17th to 16th. They are six points adrift from breaking into the top 10.
In the 18th round of the Premier League, Leeds visited Sunderland. Daniel Farke's side have one of the worst away records in the league (18th out of 20). Yet, at the Stadium of Light, the "Whites" looked superior to the hosts: they held 57% of possession and unleashed a barrage of 17 shots with an expected goals (xG) of 2.6, while the "Black Cats" managed only eight shots with an xG of 0.67. Despite their dominance, the "Peacocks" left Sunderland with just a single point (1-1).
Match Results: Leeds United
Latest news
Liverpool
🎙 Former Bayern Munich player Lothar Matthäus shared his thoughts on Florian Wirtz. “I'm not surprised that Wirtz might need more time to adapt at Liverpool. Just a few months ago, he was still living and playing in his homeland, where he could gradually develop in a protected environment. Such a significant change, like moving to the Premier League, has impacted him. In this situation, personal performance is crucial. But it only works if the team is also on a winning streak. Recently, that hasn't been the case. Additionally, Liverpool were very successful last season. Joining such a team isn't easy,” Matthäus commented.
❌ Liverpool's recent results have been quite surprising, considering the team's depleted roster. Due to injuries, Stefan Bajcetic, Wataru Endo, Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leone, and Alexander Isak are unavailable. Mohamed Salah has joined the Egypt national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Leeds United
🎙 Leeds' performance has also impacted the prime form of their summer signing, Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker found the net in the Premier League's 18th round match against Sunderland (1-1) and set a record. The 28-year-old forward has now scored in six consecutive games, tallying seven goals and an assist during this stretch. This marks the first time in the Premier League era that a Leeds player has scored in six straight matches. Previously, John McCole achieved this feat in the top division during the 1959/60 season.
❌ Compared to Liverpool, Leeds have minimal losses ahead of their head-to-head clash. Sean Longstaff and Daniel James have been sidelined for an extended period, and after the last Premier League round, defender Joe Rodon joined them in the injury list.
🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards
The main referee for the match is Chris Kavanagh. His average number of yellow cards in the last 20 Premier League matches stands at 3.6, but it has risen to 4.4 in the previous 10 rounds. The statistics for yellow cards for both teams are also intriguing. On one hand, the total yellow cards have been under 3.5 in Liverpool's last five home games and in nine out of Leeds' last ten away matches. On the other hand, in their last head-to-head, the teams shared six yellow cards evenly. Both teams are in good form, which might increase the tension in the match as neither side will want to slow down. Therefore, we recommend betting on over 2.5 total yellow cards.
⚽️ Goals Prediction
The head-to-head clashes between these teams are known for their thrilling nature. In five of the last seven encounters, both teams have found the net, and in six of those, the total goals exceeded 2.5. This level of scoring has been consistent for over four years. Liverpool have the worst goal difference (+4) among the top five in the Premier League. Their victories often follow the pattern of "you score as much as you can, we'll score as much as we want." With such dynamics, betting on over 2.5 total goals seems a reasonable choice.
🚩 Corners Prediction
Leeds have won at least four corners in four out of their last five matches during this successful stretch. This consistency is maintained thanks to Daniel Farke's 3-5-2 formation. The hybrid triangles on the flanks allow wing-backs to drop back into defense without losing numbers on the wings, as midfielders fill those positions. The two forwards also do well in putting pressure on opponents in their final third. In this setup, betting on over 3.5 Leeds corners appears to be a logical choice.
Editorial Prediction
Bookmakers are nearly four times more confident in Liverpool than in Leeds. The Reds are in solid form, unbeaten in seven matches, with a winning streak of four games. However, Leeds also boast an impressive run, going five matches without a loss. It's important to note Liverpool's roster issues, which, while not critical, are numerous. Leeds have scored in eight consecutive Premier League rounds, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin is setting historic scoring records. Why not set another? Our prediction: both teams to score (yes). We still give the edge to the hosts at Anfield - a 3-2 victory.
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Betting Tips: Liverpool - Leeds United
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Comparison of Teams Stats
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