Liverpool vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Liverpool are back in Premier League action on Saturday when they welcome Graham Potter’s Brighton and Hove Albion to Anfield.
The Reds are at odds of 1.23 to win this match and that’s no surprise when you consider the form Jurgen Klopp’s side is in. They arrive at this clash on the back of a 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United and the Liverpool youngsters eased past Preston in the Carabao Cup in midweek. They are currently second in the Premier League and top of their Champions League group with three wins from three. Klopp’s aim is to conquer both England and Europe again this season and it’s so far, so good.
Following on from a tough match against Manchester City last week, which ended in a 1-4 thrashing, Brighton have exited the Carabao Cup, to Leicester City on penalties, and their early season form has taken a bit of a slide, but they remain in fifth place on 15 points.
Talking Points
Salah is simply the best
Liverpool striker Mo Salah has taken the league by storm, yet again, this season; and with ten goals and five assists from nine appearances he’s got his own section in the Premier League 2021 highlights packages! For much of the last decade and a half the world of football has agonised over which of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is the best footballer on the planet. A new order is emerging with the likes of Erling Braut Haaland and Kylian Mbappe ready to take up the mantle. But right now there are few, if any, who could claim to be better than the Egyptian hit man.
He scored a hat-trick in Liverpool’s total destruction of Manchester United last week and he produced an early candidate for the ‘goal of the season’ in a 2-2 draw with Manchester City, which showcased his pace, dribbling skills, balance and deadly finishing. Alongside Salah, two of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota will line up against the Seagulls. With five goals Mane is looking like the player who terrorised defences in 2020 but it is Firmino who plays the most important role alongside the star striker, linking up play and working wonders in tight spaces.
Both Firmino and Jota are on four goals and so they have their shooting boots polished and primed. There’s also a welcome return to form of Trent Alexander-Arnold who has made three assists and is back in contention for an England spot.
At SBOTOP odds of 3.50 to win the title they won in 2020, Liverpool are serious contenders and almost a cert to finish in the top three.
Have Seagulls lost their wings?
Brighton got off to a flyer this season, coming from behind to beat Burnley and then following that up with wins over Watford, Brentford and Leicester, the only early setback being a loss to Everton. With 12 points on the board the Seagulls were flying high, but draws with Arsenal at home and Crystal Palace and Norwich away have brought them back down to earth. A humbling at the hands of Manchester City and the Carabao exit has made it five games without a victory; and Anfield is hardly the best place to go to end that type of run.
The latest Premier League 2021 betting odds reckon Brighton should finish in mid table and they have enough points on the board already to steer them clear of trouble for a good few weeks at least. The goals of Neal Maupay, who has four this season, and the reunion of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy at centre back gives the team strength at either end of the pitch, while 22 year old Argentine midfielder Alexis MacAllister has improved immeasurably this term.
History
Liverpool have won eight, drawn one and lost one against Brighton, but the two slip ups came last season when the Seagulls drew 1-1 at the Amex Stadium and won 1-0 at Anfield during Liverpool’s losing home run.
In terms of recent form, while Brighton are without a win in five, Liverpool have won five of the last six, drawing the other game against Manchester City, and are unbeaten in ten at home.
Betting Tip
Liverpool vs Brighton and Hove Albion | Liverpool First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.99 | |
October 30, 22:00 (GMT+8) |
At odds of 5.60 to draw and 10.60 the Seagulls could be heading towards another heavy defeat but Potter will set his team up to attack when the opportunity presents itself.
But I suspect the visitors may be coming from behind fairly early. Last week Liverpool were 4-0 up at the break and Brighton were 3-0 down and they were behind at the break in their Carabao Cup defeat to the Foxes. The best defences in world football would struggle to keep the Reds at bay for 45 minutes… on current form.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH: | |||
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= €20 (Highly confident) | = €10 (CONFIDENT) | = €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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