Liverpool vs Southampton

BPL 2018-19 – Liverpool vs Southampton Match Preview

Liverpool are back in action as they try to continue their perfect season start as they host Southampton! Liverpool are coming off two fantastic results beating Spurs at Wembley 1-2 and PSG to start their UCL campaign 3-2 midweek thanks to a late winner by Firmino! Liverpool are 2nd in the Premier League on goal difference and they’ve won every game this season. Southampton are coming off a very frustrating draw against Brighton where they surrendered a 2-0 lead which surely must have stopped their good momentum prior to that game.

Key Facts

Liverpool, as mentioned of course have won every game this season in all competitions. Played 6 Won 6.

Roberto Firmino is currently the main man in form for Liverpool as he’s scored in 3 games running including a last minute winner against PSG.

Liverpool are now unbeaten in 23 straight Premier League home games. Last defeat coming in April 2017 to Crystal Palace.

Liverpool still hold the best defensive league record with only 2 goals conceded. None at home. 3 Clean sheets in total in 5 games.

Liverpool have scored 2 or more goals in 5 of their 6 games in all competitions. Although Salah isn’t on form. Mane and Firmino have been carrying the attack.

Last season, Liverpool dominated Southampton in both meetings. Winning 3-0 at Anfield and 0-2 at St Mary’s.

Liverpool have now kept 4 straight clean sheets against Southampton in the league.

Southampton have only won one league game this season out of 5. Their record is 1W 2D 2L and they sit 13th.

Danny Ings is the man in form for Southampton right now with 3 league goals already. However he can’t play in this match due to Liverpool being his actual club. Their second highest scorer is Hojbjerg with 2. He’s scored in the previous 2 games.

Defensively, Southampton have been suspect. They’ve kept 2 clean sheets against awful Burnley and Zaha-less Palace but they’ve conceded 2 goals in every other game.

Team News

Liverpool: No new injury news for Liverpool. Lallana, Ox and Lovren are all still sidelined with injuries while Firmino is expected to start again after picking up an eye injury which meant he had to come off the bench against PSG. Firmino will slot back in for Sturridge. Gomez will continue to occupy Lovren’s spot at CB. Elsewhere we could see Naby Keita come back into the starting line-up after being benched against PSG with captain Henderson starting. We could potentially see those two being switched again with Keita starting and Henderson sitting but it depends on Klopp whether he wants to do that. Can’t see Wijnaldum or Milner being sat given their current form. Elsewhere expect the line-up to stay the same. Mo Salah will definitely be on people’s watch list for this match as he looks to regain some form after putting in some poor performances recently. As for now Mane and Firmino are Liverpool’s biggest threats at goals. Defensively, this team is rock solid and is expected to keep another clean sheet. They’ve kept 7 straight CS at Anfield in the league.

Southampton: Southampton do indeed have some frustrating team news. Danny Ings can’t feature in this match due to him being on loan from Liverpool which is awful for Southampton given his current form. Gabbiadini is also a doubt to start this match therefore we can expect Charlie Austin to start alongside Shane Long up front. Elsewhere, Southampton have no injury concerns and are expected to field their strongest possible 11 apart from Danny Ings. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is the man to watch from Southampton’s side as the midfielder has hit some good form and has scored in each of his last 2 league games.

Betting Tips and Predictions

Liverpool are tipped as huge favourites at 1.19 but a win bet makes no sense here due to the odds. We’re looking at a -2 AH. We can’t see Liverpool failing to win by multiple goals here. Their team is on fantastic form, they’re winning games and Salah hasn’t even played well. Defensively, expect Liverpool to keep a clean sheet since they are so strong defensively and with Southampton missing Danny Ings so Liverpool to win to nil at 1.85 is another pick of ours. Some may think that having to play midweek in Europe may affect Liverpool but we doubt it. They played Spurs on Saturday and still managed to outclass PSG 3 days later. They get rest from Tuesday to Saturday which is more than enough recovery time for Liverpool and plus Southampton played on Monday anyway which is just one day more of rest. We expect Liverpool to pick up a comfortable 3-0 win. Mo Salah should be able to get on the scoresheet this time, his lack of form should start coming to an end.

Match Odds (TonyBet)

Liverpool Win – 1.20

Draw – 7.00

Southampton Win – 16.00

KICK OFF – 22nd September 2018 – 3pm UK Time