After a long and arduous International break, the football has returned.
An interesting weekend – which saw City and Chelsea drop points – has passed and now Liverpool have their chance to maintain the momentum they’ve created. Aside from that, they’ll obviously want to keep their numerous 100% records going, too.
They’re taking on a Swansea side who’ve left their early Europa League form at the proverbial Premier League door. A sign of their often brilliant self was present, however, as they went on to claim all three points against West Brom in the last gameweek.
Laudrup has added a few quality additions to his already well accumulated squad and they’ll be looking to strike back now after their disappointing – albeit difficult – start to the season.
Liverpool fans will be more than familiar with Jonjo Shelvey. He’s made a fairly good impact since joining the Swans and looks like he could kick on from his current state of ‘promising youngster’ and begin to make a name for himself. Swansea also purchased Wilfried Bony from Holland. He’s a player I really like. Michu brings with him an obvious threat but for me, Bony is one to keep an eye on for the Reds’ defence.
Speaking of that defence, Liverpool are set to be without newly acquired, French-born Mamadou Sakho. Rodgers feels he’s not quite up to speed yet. With Kolo Toure also a doubt, it looks very likely that Martin Skrtel will hold on to the spot he so capably dealt with against Manchester United in the last gameweek. Glen Johnson is also a longer-term absentee, and he’s likely to be replaced by Andre Wisdom. Brendan Rodgers also has a decision to make regarding Victor Moses. He must be in with a shout of starting in the forward areas after an impressive pre-season. Having said that, Jordan Henderson has had an imperious few weeks in the team and it would more than likely be him that makes way, should Moses force entry into the starting eleven.
With the game being away, Rodgers may well choose to adopt similar tactics as he has done in the previous 3 games; take the lead and astutely defend to keep hold of it. With Sturridge looking set to be fit, he will also have a chance of replicating and furthering his excellent start. Alternatively, Swansea’s style and approach to a match in front of a home crowd could well allow Liverpool to have some attacking freedom, something we’ve seen barely anything of. An interesting match-up certainly beckons.
Possible Liverpool Line-up: Mignolet; Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Gerrard, Lucas; Coutinho, Aspas, Moses; Sturridge
Possible Swansea Line-up: Vorm; Rangel, Chico, Williams, Davies; Shelvey, Britton; Routledge, Michu, Pablo; Bony
Liverpool to win – If you fancy Liverpool to continue their great, early form, then 13/10 is a solid price. If you fancy something slightly more specific, I’d go for an LFC 2-1 win scoreline at 19/2. To bet on this market with BetVictor, click here.
Sturridge FGS – For obvious reasons, Sturridge first goalscorer is a hot bet. He’s currently on fire! 6/1 is fairly good odds for something that’s happened 3 times out of 3, so far this season. To bet on this market with BetVictor, click here.
Bony or Michu FGS – Both could be dangerous this evening and with Skrtel set to start, they could well cause him some problems. Both players are 15/2 or, you may fancy one of them anytime at 13/5. To bet on this market with BetVictor, click here.
Liverpool to win the first half – Liverpool have already scored plenty of early goals so far this season and with odds of 9/5, almost certainly worth a punt. To bet on this market with BetVictor, click here.
Penalty awarded – With Jonjo Shelvey possibly in the team, who’s been known to get a little hot headed from time-to-time, plus the rivalry between the team, given the manager’s previous, a penalty to be awarded may well be an outside shout, with the odds at 10/3. To bet on this market with BetVictor, click here.
