Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolves, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Liverpool will welcome back 2,000 fans to Anfield for the first time as Premier League champions on Sunday night against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Pending the outcome of the north London derby, Liverpool could end the weekend as league leaders once again. They currently sit level with second-place Tottenham on 21 points and a point behind Chelsea, who have played one more match.
Although Wolves have got everything to play for this one. A top-four spot is potentially up for grabs, along with the chance to move within a point of their opponents, should they claim victory at Anfield. Considering they’ve lost their last three visits at the venue, however, it may prove a nearly impossible task.
Liverpool Form & Stats
Alisson Becker became the latest casualty to join Liverpool’s growing injury list last week upon sustaining a hamstring injury. Caoimhin Kelleher replaced him in goal and kept a clean sheet in Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League win over Ajax. The Irishman, therefore, could make his Premier League debut on Sunday.
The goalkeeping crisis, however, is just one of many problems Jurgen Klopp has on his plate. The Reds boss has lost several key players to injuries, including Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara. Although he has confirmed in his pre-match conference ‘there is a chance’ Trent Alexander-Arnold and Naby Keita could return.
Otherwise, Liverpool have enjoyed a decent start to the defense of their Premier League crown. They’ve won all five of their home league games and scored at least two goals in each of them. It’s extended their unbeaten run at Anfield to 64 league matches. And with 2,000 supporters to attend on Sunday, they’ll be fired up to keep the momentum going.
It’s worth nothing, though, that Liverpool have conceded the first goal in three of their last four home league games. They’ve also scored most of their goals during the second-half in all competitions at home and away.
Key Team Stats
- Won 37 of their last 39 home league games (D2).
- Over 2.5 goals in all five of their home league games this season.
- Over 1.5 first-half goals in all five of their home league games this season.
- Scored in both halves in 70% of their league games this season.
- Exactly three goals in three of their five home league games this season.
- Diogo Jota has scored five goals in eight league games.
Wolves Form & Stats
Raul Jimenez is sidelined following his horrific head injury during last weekend’s 2-1 win at Arsenal. Wolves have, though, confirmed the striker is ‘recovering well’ from surgery and should return home soon.
But while that is indeed good news, Jimenez’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the Wolves attack. The 29-year-old is the club’s top-scorer on four goals, which makes up over 36% of their 11 league goals this season. Fabio Silva or Daniel Podence may replace him in central attack.
Although Adama Traore, who has only started half of Wolves’ games this term, may become be the main man. The Catalan normally saves something special for the big guns, having scored three goals against Manchester City last season. He also impressed in the 2-1 win over Arsenal in London.
Part of the reason for Traore’s new found form is down to Nuno Espirito Santo reverting to a back-four. It’s led to an improved play in the attack, but the coach may opt for something more conservative at Anfield.
The Wanderers have won four of their last seven league games to move up in the standings. Their away form has also been impressive, having won three of their last five fixtures.
Key Team Stats
- Lost their last seven league games against Liverpool.
- Won three of their last five away league games (L2).
- Won seven of their 14 away league games in 2020 (D5 L5).
- Pedro Neto & Daniel Podence have scored a combined three goals in the last two league games.
- Have scored most of their goals this season either during the opening 15-30 minutes or in the last 15 minutes of normal time.
Team News
Liverpool
Out: Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Alisson, Thiago, Xherdan Shaqiri, James Milner, & Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Doubts: Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson.
Wolves
Out: Raul Jimenez & Jonny.
Doubt: Romain Saiss.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Recent Games
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Premier League.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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