Prediction: Aston Villa vs Liverpool

Prediction: Liverpool win

Best Odds: 11/25

Bookmaker: 888sport

The Premier League is back this weekend for the final set of fixtures before the next international break. The start of the new campaign has been far more unpredictable and exciting than even the most optimistic of fans could’ve imagined and at this stage, that can only be a good thing. Today we’re going to be taking a look at the highly anticipated contest between two of English football’s in-form teams – Aston Villa and Liverpool.

Aston Villa

Now that Dean Smith has been able to keep Villa in the Premier League past their first season back in the top flight, he’s able to kick on and push towards the Midlanders becoming a real force in England once again. It’s going to take some time before they really legitimise themselves but their transfer activity, in addition to their start to the new campaign, has led to many Villa fans getting quite excited about what the future holds.

Team News

Barkley looks set to make his first appearance in a Villa shirt after his loan move from Chelsea. The only other concerns for Smith heading into this game at Villa Park will be the injury absences of Wesley and Engels.

Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp continues to thrive as Liverpool manager with the Reds steadily turning into one of the most dominant Premier League forces in recent memory. They are the leading contenders to win the title for a second straight season and while Manchester City may have something to say about that, they don’t appear to be having the same kind of drive in comparison to Liverpool. Still, they have to keep their guard up, because this league can be relentless.

Team News

Mane has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss this game through self isolation, as is the case for Thiago. Elsewhere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Matip and Tsimkas are out through injury with some questioning whether or not van Dijk and Salah will feature from the start after both played against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup during the week.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in July, Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0.
• Aston Villa have won five and lost one of their last six games.
• Liverpool have won five and lost one of their last six games.
• Aston Villa have scored 11 goals and conceded two in their last six games.
• Liverpool have scored 23 goals and conceded eight in their last six games.

Conclusion

Villa are going to serve as stiffer opposition than most may realise, if only because they’re carrying over an awful lot of confidence forward from their start to the Premier League season. They’re going to stifle Liverpool from a defensive standpoint for long periods of the game but the Reds are too powerful for even the most resilient of teams. It’ll probably go down to the wire but when push comes to shove there is only one side coming out with the win – and that’s Liverpool.

Prediction: Liverpool win

Best Odds: 11/25

Bookmaker: 888sport