Prediction: Bournemouth vs Liverpool

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 13/25

Bookmaker: Unibet

Having recorded their first Premier League win of the season on Saturday, Bournemouth will be buoyed and motivated to do even better when Liverpool come to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday for their clash in the Carabao Cup round of 16.

They will, on the other hand, be aware of the quality of the visitors and their own, rather convincing league victory on Saturday.

Bournemouth

It was another episode of incompetency by the VAR in the Premier League when Burnley faced Bournemouth at the Vitality in their previous outing. The Clarets took the lead through Charlie Taylor in the 11th minute, but Antoine Semenyo equalized in the 22nd, before Phillip Billing caught the otherwise excellent Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford in no-man’s land to land what proved to have been the winner in the 76th.

The controversy came after Jay Rodriguez scored what would’ve been a second equalizer of the game in the 89th minute, but the VAR, after an incredibly long review, reached the decision that the Burnley striker was offside.

The victory has pulled the Cherries out of the relegation zone for the time being, but there’s no hiding from the fact that Andoni Iraola and his men are destined to fight to keep their place in the English top flight at the end of the season.

To get to this point in the Carabao Cup, Bournemouth beat Championship mid-table sides Swansea and Stoke City in the second and third round, respectively.

Team News

Bournemouth had to make a late change at right-back against Burnley when Max Aarons had to leave the field and was replaced by Adam Smith. It’s uncertain whether Aarons’ issue is serious.

Manager Iraola will continue to cope without several key players, including Tyler Adams (thigh), Emiliano Marcondes (foot), Ryan Fredericks (calf), and first-choice goalkeeper Neto (foot). Neto’s absence guarantees another start for Inter Milan loanee Radu.

Additionally, Lewis Cook is serving the second match of a three-game suspension due to a red card he received against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Marcos Senesi is uncertain due to a muscular problem, which might lead to Chris Mepham being called upon once again to play in defence.

Liverpool

Meanwhile, Liverpool appear to have finally moved on from the unbelievable injustice at their expense which happened when they faced Tottenham Hotspur in London at the end of September. It was their only defeat of the season so far in any competition, which saw them have a goal wrongfully ruled out and two players sent off. Their last three matches in all competitions were victories against city rivals Everton, Toulouse in the Europa League, and Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday.

It was Diogo Jota who broke the deadlock in the 31st minute, starting the game on the left side of attack as Luis Diaz goes through a personal crisis caused by his parents being kidnapped in Colombia. He raised the shirt No. 7 in celebration, showing strong support for his troubled teammate. Darwin Nunez added the second goal four minutes later, and Mohamed Salah took advantage of a heavy blunder by Forest goalkeeper Matt Turner to set the final score at 3-0 in the 77th.

The Merseysiders now sit fourth, trailing Spurs at the top of the Premier League table by three points, with Arsenal and Manchester City sitting in between, and with Aston Villa breathing down their necks with just one point less. Interestingly enough, had they remained undefeated in North London, Liverpool would now be topping a group of four teams with equal tallies, leading the title race themselves.

Team News

Diaz’s mother has reportedly been rescued, but his father is still in the hands of the kidnappers and while the drama lasts, it’s highly unlikely we’ll be seeing the Colombian winger in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak are absent through different injury issues, but Curtis Jones has completed his domestic three-game ban and is ready to play.

Also, backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, as well as youngsters Jarrell Quansah and Luke Chambers, will all be hoping to see their names on the list of those who start.

Conclusion

Both Iraola and Klopp are likely to rotate their teams notably, but if the push comes to shove, it’s Liverpool who will have the greater power to deploy off the bench, which should ultimately be enough to secure progress.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 13/25

Bookmaker: Unibet