The Champions League qualifying process has reached the playoff stage and there is just one match separating the teams from the group stages of the tournament. There are several great games to look forward to and one of the best in terms of quality comes at Anfield, as Liverpool host Hoffenheim.
Champions League Playoff – Anfield – Wednesday 23rd August 19:45
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Draw Best Odd of: 10/3 at Betfred |
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Liverpool
HoffenheimLiverpool have won the European Cup and Champions League 5 times in their history and have a great relationship with this competition. Jurgen Klopp is aiming to take Liverpool back to the European glory days at Anfield by making them a regular fixture in the tournament.
Hoffenheim have no history in European football and this is their first attempt at qualifying for the group stages of any major European club tournament. It’s a huge night for the German club and one which could make history.
Liverpool Form
Liverpool will come into this match with confidence having picked up a 2-1 win in the first leg of the tie in Germany. Goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and an own goal from Havard Nordtveit gave Liverpool a 2-0 lead on the night only to concede a late striker from Hoffenheim to make the score 2-1 at the final whistle.
With 2 away goals Liverpool will feel confident of getting the job done at Anfield and picked up 3 points at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the weekend. Liverpool have lost 1 of their last 10 home competitive games in all competitions and only once in 11 games at home have they failed to score a goal.
Hoffenheim Form
Despite losing the first leg of the tie 2-1 at home, Hoffenheim can still feel confident ahead of this match thanks to their good performance. Things could have been much different if they had opened the scoring from the penalty spot when the match was level at 0-0 and Liverpool had their goal keeper to thank for several good saves throughout the 90 minutes.
Hoffenheim bounced back from the defeat with a 1-0 home win against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on the weekend. Interestingly, they have lost just 2 of their last 8 competitive away matches and have scored at least one goal in their last 10 away games.
Team News
Liverpool are still without the injured trio of Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne and Danny Ings. Philippe Coutinho remains a doubt but Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold should come back into the team having missed out at the weekend. Hoffenheim have no major injury worries and should be at full strength for this match.
Top Betting Tips
Given the scoring record of both teams home and away respectively, both teams to score seems like a good option here priced at 1/2 with William Hill. As Liverpool have the home advantage and are expected to win the game, having defeated Hoffenheim away in the first leg, you can combine both teams to score with a home win at odds of 15/8 with Ladbrokes.
Sadio Mane has started the season in excellent form and has scored in both Premier League games. The Senegal international is 13/10 to score any time with Ladbrokes.