Prediction: Burnley vs Liverpool

Verdict: Liverpool to win & both teams to score

Best Odds: 40/17

Bookmaker: 888sport

Red-hot Liverpool kick off the new 2018 with a difficult challenge away at Burnley. Sean Dyche’s charges are one of the most pleasant surprises of the Premier League and have already proven capable of upsetting the favourites, which is why Jurgen Klopp’s in-form side will have to be extremely careful travelling to Turf Moor.

Burnley

The Clarets head into the new year sitting in seventh place in the standings. Even though they’ve lost the momentum of late, they have been one of the biggest stories of the Premier League campaign so far.

They might have failed to win any of their last four matches in the league but victories against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester, together with hard-fought draws with Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United most recently are quite indicative of their operating. December proved to be a tough month for Sean Dyche’s side with Clarets drawing three of their last four matches while suffering a blow to Tottenham at home with Spurs making amends for the draw in London from the first part of the campaign. With the quick turnaround of games during the hectic new year period, Sean Dyche is expected to make some changes to his starting XI.

Team News

 Chris Wood is returning to the side with the striker having sat out the goalless draw with Huddersfield last time out.

James Tarkowski returns from suspension and will provide an important boost. Meanwhile, Brady, Heaton and Ward remain unavailable.

Liverpool

A fifteen-match unbeaten run during which Liverpool recorded ten victories across all competitions are a clear indication of progress at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp boasts a highly attack-oriented side with the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and especially Mohamed Salah leading the line in attack for the Reds.

The Egyptian international Mo Salah has been in impressive form this campaign, dazzling the Premier League world with 17 goals thus far – and eight more in all competitions for Liverpool. Salah bagged a brace against Leicester City on Friday to help Liverpool claw back from a goal behind and to record a vital victory that will be a huge morale-boost for Klopp’s men. The Reds are heading into 2018 with renewed optimism having secured the signature of long-term target Virgil van Dijk who is expected to bring the much-needed improvement in the back. Still, with Coutinho on his way to Barcelona, Liverpool are expected to make more moves during the January transfer window with the likes of Leon Goretzka, Thomas Lemar and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic being mentioned in the media.

Team News

Jurgen Klopp will have to do without captain Jordan Henderson who is still sidelined with a thigh injury, whereas Alberto Moreno is also unavailable due to an ankle problem.

Daniel Sturridge has picked up a muscle problem but Mo Salah will be the biggest headache for Klopp until the last moment with Egyptian limping out of the Leicester win.

Key Factors to Consider

• Liverpool are without a defeat in last 15 matches
• Burnley failed to win any of their last four PL games
• Reds scored 14 goals across their last four fixtures
• Mo Salah scored four goals in last 4 matches for Liverpool

Liverpool are hoping to land their 3rd successive PL for the first time since November

Conclusion

Liverpool are enjoying their football at the moment and are surely expected to put in a show at Turf Moor. Burnley are a tough nut to crack but they appear to be losing the momentum big time and the New Year schedule could be a bit too much to handle at the moment. Reds need to win and add pressure on top three sides and we fully expect to see them succeed.

Verdict: Liverpool to win & both teams to score

Best Odds: 40/17

Bookmaker: 888sport