Prediction: Leicester City vs Liverpool

Prediction: Mohamed Salah – first goalscorer

Odds: 14/5

Bookmaker:888Sport

Liverpool will be aiming to continue their perfect start to the Premier League season on Saturday afternoon as they travel to the King Power Stadium to do battle with in-form Leicester City.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds arrive in the East Midlands top of the table after taking maximum points in their opening three league games. Meanwhile, Claude Puel’s men will look to halt their terrific run with another victory.

Leicester City

Despite the surprise at Puel keeping his job at the King Power Stadium at the end of last season, the Frenchman finally appears to be silencing the doubters in the East Midlands. The Foxes were unfortunate to lose their opening Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford but have bounced back in the best possible way with victories against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton. Harry Maguire scored a last minute winner against the latter before a much-changed line-up thumped Fleetwood Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup. The Foxes now have a huge chance to make it three Premier League wins in a row – something they have not managed since December 2017. One aspect that the East-Midlanders will have to improve on if they are to win is their defensive record, especially against Liverpool’s brilliant attack. Leicester have only kept two clean sheets in their last ten league games. Despite that, it is at the other end of the pitch that they have little problem. The Foxes failed to find the net in only four home games last season and continued that record against Wolves.

Team News

Puel will be missing the influential presence of Jamie Vardy as he serves the last of his three-match ban. The forward had scored seven goals in his last five games against Liverpool. Caglar Soyuncu, meanwhile, could potentially be ready for his debut since his move from SC Freiburg. The Turkish defender has been building his fitness with the club’s under-23 set-up. Matty James is ruled out with an Achilles injury.

Liverpool

It is fair to say that Liverpool started the season in stunning form with their 4-0 thumping of West Ham United. Since then, their football has not been as free-flowing as usual but they have still secured two wins against Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion. As a result, Jurgen Klopp’s troops currently sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table. The Reds have an excellent opportunity to notch four consecutive wins at the start of a top-flight season – a feat that the Merseysiders have not managed in 28 years.
One of the distinct influences that Jurgen Klopp appears to have had at Anfield is certainly their defensive record. The Reds are currently on a run of four Premier League clean sheets. The last time they did that was in the winter of the 2014/15 season. Ironically though, Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet at the King Power Stadium since a 0-0 draw back in March 2004. It goes without saying then that Klopp will be desperate for his team to continue their stunning form.

Team News

The Reds do not have too many injuries to concern themselves with. Defender Dejan Lovren has been ruled out with a pelvis injury, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain continues his comeback from an Achilles injury. Mo Salah is sure to feature after bagging three goals in two games against Leicester last season.

Key Facts To Consider

• Liverpool have the better all-time record between the two sides (W39, D24, L47)
• Leicester have kept six clean sheets in their last eleven home games against Liverpool
• The Foxes have beat Liverpool three times in all competitions on home soil in the past three seasons
• The Reds have scored 16 goals in nine games against Leicester since the Foxes’ promotion in 2014
• Claude Puel has only ever lost one game against Liverpool in seven clashes

Conclusion

Leicester have an extremely tough task in halting the juggernaut that is Liverpool. They will have to defend flawlessly if they are to claim a result, and that might not be possible. The Reds should have more than enough to win and Mo Salah is likely to be the first goalscorer at the King Power Stadium.

Prediction: Mohamed Salah –  first goalscorer

Odds: 14/5

Bookmaker:888Sport