Verdict: Liverpool win and both teams to score
Best Odds: 9/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
Unbeaten in their last seven Premier League appearances and now only two points off the top four, Jurgen Klopp will be looking to extend their recent good form. This weekend, Liverpool will travel South of Merseyside to face a Brighton team who haven’t lost at the Amex Stadium since the opening game of the season.
Brighton
Although Brighton may have only managed to come away with a point against Crystal Palace in midweek, Chris Hughton’s Premier League debutants won’t find much fault in the start to their top-flight campaign. Currently sat 10th in the table, the Seagulls are the highest placed out of the promoted Championship trio. Hughton’s side will enter Saturday afternoon’s clash in high spirits. Besides a 1-0 loss to Manchester United at the end of last month, Brighton have not lost a single game in their last seven appearances. Their form has been so consistent that they have already pulled seven points away from the relegation zone.
One of Brighton’s strongest areas this year has been their record at The Amex Stadium. Since coming out a respectable second best to Manchester City on the opening game of the season, Hughton’s men are yet to be beaten at home, winning three and drawing four of their seven matches. After playing host to Liverpool this weekend, Brighton’s busy Christmas run-in will see them face Huddersfield, Tottenham, Burnley, and Watford.
Team News
After missing midweek’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, Chris Hughton looks set to recall left-back Gaetan Bong. The Cameronian defender has fully recovered from a minor knee injury.
The Seagulls will, however, be without veteran midfielder Steve Sidwell. The 34-year-old is still recovering from back surgery.
Liverpool
Since suffering an embarrassing 4-1 loss away at Tottenham towards the end of October, Liverpool are now a side who are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League appearances. Now sat fifth in the table, The Reds are two points off the top four and will make the journey South coming off the back of a 3-0 win away at Stoke. Despite winning five of their last seven, throwing away a 3-0 lead at Sevilla has highlighted the fact that Liverpool do have some defensive issues that still need resolving.
Team News
Jurgen Klopp will be unable to call upon defender Joel Matip this weekend. The 26-year-old suffered a muscle injury during the midweek victory over Stoke. It appears that Ragnar Klavan will replace the injured Matip after overcoming an illness.
Top scorer Mohamed Salah looks to return to Liverpool’s XI after coming off the bench and scoring twice in midweek. Adam Lallana (thigh) still remains unavailable.
Key Factors to Consider
- This will be the first league meeting between these two sides since Brighton were last in the top-flight in 1982/83
- Liverpool have won just one of their last four Premier League away trips to newly-promoted sides (D1 L2)
- Brighton are unbeaten in six Premier League home games, with the last four all ending in draws
- Liverpool are unbeaten in five league matches, winning four and scoring 14 goals
- Liverpool’s 3-0 victory at Stoke was their first league away clean sheet this in 2017-18
Conclusion
Given Jurgen Klopp’s sides’ defensive issues away from home this year, coupled with Brighton’s resilient form at the Amex Stadium, Chris Hughton will be quietly confident about causing an upset here. However, the Seagulls have had their own defensive issues, with only two clean sheets in their last 14 appearances, keeping Salah and co out will be a monumental challenge. We are backing Liverpool to come away with three points, but, Brighton to also breach Liverpool’s defense at some point.
Verdict: Liverpool win and both teams to score
Best Odds: 9/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
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