Liverpool vs Burnley
Liverpool fans are finally going to be back in the stands singing and cheering the Reds on in their Premier League home opener against Burnley this weekend.
Anfield is expected to have quite the atmosphere after so many months without fans, and the Kop will be keen to help lift the team, especially after their horrendous home record last season.
Liverpool’s disastrous run of six straight home defeats began with a 1-0 loss to visiting Burnley, which also ended the Reds’ impressive unbeaten run at Anfield. But with the fans back in the stands, it will be tough for Sean Dyche’s Clarets to defy the Premier League 2021 betting odds once again.
Talking Points
Liverpool look good and are getting fit
Liverpool made a fine start to their season by beating newly promoted Norwich 3-0 at Carrow Road. Mohamed Salah kept up his terrific record of scoring in the opening Premier League game of the season, while strikers Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino also got on the scoresheet.
Star centre-back Virgil van Dijk also made a successful return to the side as he led the Reds defence to a clean sheet.
Liverpool still have some injury concerns with left-back Andy Robertson recovering from an ankle injury. Although, Kostas Tsimikas filled in well for Robertson and figures to keep his place on the left of the Reds’ defence.
Meanwhile, the midfield trio of Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, and Curtis Jones – who did not make the squad against Norwich – are all back fit and will likely be available for the home opener.
Fabinho surprisingly didn’t start in midfield against Norwich despite being fit and only came on as a second-half substitute.
With Liverpool likely to be on the front foot for most of the match against the Clarets, Klopp may opt to keep the Brazilian on the bench in favour of more attack-minded midfielders such as Thiago, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Similarly, Klopp could also choose to stay with the starting front three of Salah, Jota, and Sadio Mane, and Firmino providing a change of pace on the bench.
Burnley face uphill battle at Anfield
Burnley made a brilliant start to the new season as they took the lead over Brighton after just two minutes through James Tarkowski.
However, the Clarets could not hold onto that lead as the Seagulls stormed back through their second-half substitutes to win 2-1. Although, they were a bit unlucky not to score at least one more goal as they hit the woodwork twice.
For the second straight summer, Burnley have not made many moves in the transfer window. Their only notable signing has been centre-back Nathan Collins, who arrived for €14 million from Stoke City.
The lack of investment in the squad will make Sean Dyche’s task of keeping the Clarets in the top flight that much harder.
With very limited options on the bench, Dyche does not have many ways in which he can change his lineup at Anfield. Although, Ashley Barnes and Matej Vydra – who both came on as substitutes against Brighton – could potentially replace Jay Rodriguez up front alongside star striker Chris Wood.
Wood, who represented New Zealand at the Olympics this summer, led the team with 12 goals last season, and the Clarets are once again counting on the big Kiwi to produce more Premier League 2021 highlights.
Whoever starts up front for Burnley will not have many opportunities on goal against Liverpool, who figure to have the lion’s share of possession at home.
History
For the most part, Liverpool have had the upper hand over Burnley in their head-to-head matchups in the Premier League. The Reds have 10 wins in 14 matches against the Clarets, who have won just two.
Although, one of those two wins came last season at Anfield, with Ashley Barnes’ late penalty sealing a 1-0 victory. Not only did that loss snap Liverpool’s 68-match home unbeaten run in the league, but it also sparked a six-match home losing skid, Liverpool’s longest league losing streak ever at Anfield. Burnley also eked out a 1-1 draw in their previous visit to Anfield.
But the Reds got their revenge by beating Burnley 3-0 at Turf Moor thanks to goals from Roberto Firmino, Nat Phillips, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Betting Tip
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Liverpool vs Burnley | Under 3.00 @ 1.93 |
| August 21, 19:30 (GMT+8) |
Despite Burnley’s recent success at Anfield, SBOTOP odds still have Liverpool installed as big 1.19 favourites over the Clarets, who are even bigger 12.50 underdogs. A draw is 6.60.
The much-anticipated return of fans to Anfield should give the team quite a boost against Burnley, who will predictably try to keep the home side from playing their game.
Liverpool should have enough to get
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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