Liverpool can move a remarkable 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League if they beat Bournemouth at Anfield in Saturday’s early kick-off. The Cherries have lost eight of their last nine league games on the road and they begin the weekend in the bottom three despite picking up a valuable point at home to Chelsea last weekend.
Liverpool have lost three of their last four in all competitions and their sole victory in that sequence was a narrow 3-2 win over another side – West Ham – fighting for their Premier League lives. The Reds would love a comfortable 2-0 win ahead of their Champions League second leg tie with Atletico Madrid midweek, but Eddie Howe’s side didn’t get the rub of the green at Turf Moor in their last away league game and I think they will score at Anfield.
Liverpool are 1/4 at William Hill to return to winning ways with the Cherries 12/1 at bet365 and the draw at 11/2. Skipper Jordan Henderson is reported to be on course to return for the Reds against Atleti but is unlikely to be involved on Saturday. Divock Origi and Minamino were completely ineffective against Chelsea at the Bridge but Mohammed Salah and Roberto Firmino will be back in the starting XI against Bournemouth.
Liverpool failed to score in the league for the first time since March against Watford at the weekend and only had one shot on target at Vicarage Road. I expect normal service to be resumed against the Cherries who will be without Harry Wilson against his parent club. Liverpool to win and both teams to score is 8/5 at William Hill and that is the recommendation.
Saturday’s late televised kick-off sees Burnley entertain Spurs whose travelling supporters will have to be wary of criticising midfielder Eric Dier in such a small ground. Eric could be in and after them in a flash at Turf Moor, so they’d better be on their best behaviour.
Burnley lost the reverse fixture 5-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in December but the Clarets are unbeaten in their last four league games and they will leapfrog Spurs in the table with a win.
It promises to be tight and possibly techy at Turf Moor. The layers can’t split the sides with Unibet betting 17/10 Burnley and Spurs with the draw at the bizarre price of 47/20. A 1-1 draw is 11/2 with bet365 and that looks a shade overpriced.
Earlier in the day Crystal Palace entertain Watford at Selhurst Park and I would be disappointed if the Hornets – despite Gerard Deulofeu being out for the season – did not get something out of the game. Palace have won their last couple of games 1-0 but they rode their luck at the Amex in the M23 derby last weekend.
I think referee Anthony Taylor could be in for a busy afternoon and the recommendation is for over 3.5 cards to be issued at 8/13 with bet365 in what could easily become a quite feisty occasion. The reverse fixture finished goalless at Vicarage Road back in December when six cards were brandished by Martin Atkinson.
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