Prediction: Liverpool to score in both halves
Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
Jürgen Klopp’s in-form Liverpool welcome Leicester City to Anfield on Saturday evening as festive Premier League football continues.
The Foxes will be aiming to get back to winning ways following a difficult result against Watford last time out and will hope to stem the wave of the Reds’ goal-scoring after they plundered another five in mid-week.
Liverpool
Whilst Liverpool’s ability to find the net is one of the most profitable in the Premier League, their defence has been too easily breached this season. The Reds have already conceded 23 goals in 20 games so far this term – only two less than newly-promoted Brighton & Hove Albion. However, the arrival of Virgil Van Dijk should go a long way in rectifying that statistic after he agreed a reported £75m switch to Anfield on Wednesday evening. The Dutch international will arrive on Merseyside when the January transfer window opens.
Despite their defensive troubles, the Reds are in excellent form. They have only lost one game in all competitions since the end of September, scoring 58 goals in that time including 12 in their last three Premier League clashes. Their home form is also eye-catching having remained undefeated at Anfield in the Premier League since a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace back in April. The last game on home soil ended in a 5-0 victory over relegtation-threatened Swansea City. Leicester will almost definitely have to keep an eye on the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah having netted 31 Premier League goals between them so far this season.
Team News
Klopp has numerous long-term absentees for the visit of the Foxes. England internationals Nathaniel Clyne, Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson all remain ruled out. Alberto Moreno, Marko Grujić and Adam Bogdan are all also unavailable for this weekend’s clash.
Leicester City
Despite an initial boost following the arrival of Claude Puel, Leicester City have found it difficult in recent weeks. Now four without a victory in all competitions, a win against Liverpool would go a long way in getting the Foxes’ pursuit of European football back on track. One of the team’s main problems during the campaign has been their inability to keep clean sheets. The East-Midlanders have so far conceded 30 goals in only 23 matches, one fewer than rock-bottom Swansea City. Their defensive inabilities were highlighted in the last game as Watford profited from two set-pieces to win 2-1 at Vicarage Road.
Having said that, the Foxes attacking intent is clear to see. Only the Premier League top-six have scored more goals in league play than the Foxes’ 30. Specifically, only the top-five have netted more times away from home that the 2015-16 Premier League champions, a statistic that will provide solace as the team prepare for their trip to Anfield. In fact, only Bournemouth and Manchester United have stopped the Foxes from scoring away from the King Power Stadium.
Team News
Claude Puel could again shuffle his pack for the trip to Merseyside. Right-back Danny Simpson has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury sustained in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United last weekend. Robert Huth also remains out as he battles back to fitness. Matty James seems to have recovered well following his inclusion on the bench at Vicarage Road. Daniel Amartey is free to play a part after serving his suspension whilst Riyad Mahrez is sure to be included after being directly involved in 11 goals in his last 14 games.
Key Facts To Consider
- Liverpool won the last clash between the two at Anfield 4-1
- Leicester City have not won at Anfield since a 2-0 victory back in May 2000
- The Reds boast the better all-time record between the two sides (W45, D24, L39)
- Jamie Vardy has scored six goals in his last seven games against Liverpool
- Liverpool have not done the double over Leicester City since the 2000/01 Premier League season but have the chance this weekend
Conclusion
It always tends to be an intriguing tie when these two come together, and one aspect is usually assured, goals. Leicester will find it tough to halt the juggernaut that is Liverpool’s attack considering their leaky defence at the current time. However, they will create chances of their own too. The Foxes will not get back to winning ways at Anfield but could etch out an extremely useful draw.
Prediction: Liverpool to score in both halves
Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
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