Premier League football returns on Saturday following a two-week international break and domestic managers will be hoping that their players return fit and ready. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be looking to pick up a win over one of his bogey teams on Saturday as he hosts Southampton at Anfield. Liverpool struggled against Southampton last season, failing to win either league match and being knocked out of the EFL Cup by The Saints over two legs. With former Reds defender, Mauricio Pellegrino now in charge of the South Coast club, Klopp will be desperate to end the winless run.
English Premier League – Liverpool vs Southampton – Anfield Saturday 18th November 2017 – 15:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 15/4 at William Hill |
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Liverpool
SouthamptonLiverpool
Liverpool moved up to 5th place in the Premier League with an impressive 4-1 win against West Ham United in their last game as Mohamed Salah again impressed, picking up two goals. The Egyptian winger has now scored 12 times in 17 games and Klopp will again be looking to his main man to do the business on Saturday. On the other wing, Sadio Mane has suffered an injury whilst on international duty after only just returning from his previous injury picked up whilst with Senegal. Klopp will be boosted by the return of Philipe Coutinho though and the Brazilian could well come straight into the starting line up for Saturday’s match.
Southampton
Southampton have won just one of their last five matches in the Premier League and last time out they were beaten 1-0 by a very solid Burnley side. Goals have been the main issue for The Saints this season, scoring just nine times in the league and Pellegrino really needs Italian striker Manolo Gabbiadini to start finding the net with more regularity if his team are to progress this season. Saints record signing Mario Lemina should be fit to return for Saturday’s match with Pellegrino boasting an almost fully fit squad.
Talking Points
1. Southampton have the worst shooting accuracy in the Premier League (31.2%).
2. Liverpool have had the most shots in the Premier League, but have scored 17 fewer times than Manchester City.
3. Liverpool have conceded just once in five games at home. Away from home they have conceded a stunning 16 times.
Prediction
Liverpool have a pretty torrid recent record against Southampton, failing to win any of their previous five matches and scoring just twice in that time, but I think they will win this one on Saturday. Southampton have looked poor this season, winning just three times and scoring only nine times in 11 matches. Goals are their big issue and I can’t see them causing this Liverpool backline too many problems on Saturday. In Coutinho, Salah and Firmino, Liverpool have a genuine world class front three and I’m backing them to do the business in this game.
Betting Tips (Ladbrokes)
Liverpool start this match as big favourites at odds of 4/9, whilst an away win for Southampton is priced up at 13/2 with the draw available at 15/4. I can see Liverpool dominating the game on Saturday and therefore the 11/10 available on Liverpool/Liverpool in the HT/FT market looks like a good bet to me. The 4/6 price on Over 2.5 goals also looks like a good value bet to me as I can see The Reds showcasing their attacking talents in this one.
Liverpool/Liverpool (HT/FT) – 11/10 (Ladbrokes)