England Premier League
Saturday 8th May 2021
Kick off at 8:15pm BST
Venue: Anfield
Match Preview:
Liverpool haven’t given up for a top four place yet but if Leicester and Chelsea continue to win then there is nothing that the Reds can do. It still seems odd to think that the 2018 runners-up and 2019 winners of the Champions League are looking increasingly likely that they won’t even be participating in next season’s edition.
The Reds are currently in seventh place and 7 points behind 4th although because of last weekend’s game against Manchester United being postponed they now have a game in hand over their top 4 rivals.
Liverpool have been poor at home in 2021 and have just 1 win, and in their last two games they were pegged back from winning positions to draw against Newcastle and Leeds. The club may be over their very worst form but are still finding it hard to build any type of winning consistency. And there lies the irony because if Liverpool have any notions of finishing in the top four they must win all of their remaining 5 games.
Southampton aren’t officially safe but they know they will be and are 10 points clear of the bottom three with 12 points to play for. There are too many miracles that would have to happen and too many teams between them and the Saints will be playing in the Premier League next season. It hasn’t always been pretty and currently they are in poor form but their early season form seems to have saved them.
Last weekend the Saints drew 1-1 with Leicester and that would have felt like a win given that they had to play with 10 men after what appeared to be Jan Vestergaard’s harsh sending off, but they held on. Still it’s been 3 games since Southampton tasted victory and with 9 defeats away from home they have the 3rd to worst away record in the league. The clubs last away victory came against Sheffield United back in March.
Team News:
Liverpool: There are no new injuries for the club but on going long term injuries for Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Divock Origi and Jordan Henderson.
Southampton: Ryan Bertrand is out with a calf injury, Danny Ings is a major doubt and is expected to miss this due to his hamstring. Michael Obafemi will face a late test due to fitness issues. Oriol Romeu has an ankle injury and is set to return next week.
Liverpool vs Southampton Head to Head:
Last season Liverpool beat Southampton in this fixture 4-0.
Liverpool have won 6 of the last 7 meetings between the clubs.
Since 2013 Southampton have won just once at Anfield.
4 of the last five meetings have ended in over 2.5 goals.
Liverpool vs Southampton Prediction:
Liverpool will be expected to win this game but they have dropped so many points at home that there is no value in backing them at around 1.25. We are of course waiting for a vintage Liverpool performance where they click and it’s 2020 all over again. This could be that game and Liverpool haven’t been goal shy against the Saints in the past.
Southampton are also in poor form and have virtually nothing to play for, Fulham’s poor form should put paid to that. As for Liverpool they have everything to play for if they want to play in Europe next season, so for better added value we will look into different markets and hope that the Reds can show their true quality over the weekend. Defence for Liverpool has been leaky later and backing both teams to score could also be useful.
Liverpool vs Southampton Betting Tips:
Anytime goalscorer: Diogo Jota at 1.80
Both teams to score at 1.80
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