Liverpool take on Fulham at Anfield on Saturday in a contest between two sides that lost to Champions League playing clubs on their previous outings. Liverpool lost 2-0 against an inform Arsenal side while Fulham’s miserable start to the season continued with a 3-1 defeat to a Manchester United side that are slowly improving under the guidance of David Moyes.
Martin Jol brings his side to Anfield knowing full well that he is under massive pressure with some sections of a usually upbeat Fulham supporter base calling for his removal. The Cottagers ended last season in horrific form, earning just one point from their final eight games and they have started this season poorly too. They’ve picked up just ten points from their first ten matches, and find themselves just two points above the relegation zone.
To make matters worse, they’ll travel to Anfield without Sascha Riether, who starts his three game suspension after stamping on Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj. There are also doubts about the fitness of defender Brede Hangeland and striker Bryan Ruiz, who are both suffering with back injuries.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will welcome back Glen Johnson who was forced to miss the trip to Arsenal due to an illness, and there is also a chance that Jose Enrique could return from injury for this game.
Liverpool will be keen to show that they are still a side capable of finishing in the top four after some people doubted their credentials having been outplayed and at times outclassed by Arsenal last weekend. Brendan Rodgers is likely to ignore calls to change from his 5-3-2 formation, especially as it worked so well against West Brom in his side’s previous home outing.
In terms of selection, Rodgers does have one major decision to make, and that is whether he decides to give Coutinho a place in the starting eleven. It’s a tough call for Rodgers to make as he seems reluctant to leave out either Lucas Leiva or Steven Gerrard, and it would go against his ‘meritocracy’ selection method if he dropped Jordan Henderson after some impressive displays in recent weeks. However, I think Rodgers will actually play all four of these men, with Johnson playing left wing back and Henderson right wing back.
Prediction:
In Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, Liverpool possess one of the best strike forces in Europe. Despite the loss last weekend, I fully expect Fulham to struggle with Liverpool’s strike duo and I think both will get on the the score sheet in a comfortable 4-0 Liverpool victory.
Here’s where I’ll be putting my money this week:
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Liverpool to win half time/full time @ 4/6 —> To follow Ste and bet with BetVictor, Click Here
H’cap – Liverpool (-2) @ 8/5 —> To follow Ste and bet with BetVictor, Click Here
Player to be carded anytime – Lucas @ 5/4 —> To follow Ste and bet with BetVictor, Click Here
Over 3.5 goals in the game @ 13/10 —> To follow Ste and bet with BetVictor, Click Here
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An accumulator consisting of the above four bets works out at just over 15/1, which looks very good value too.
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