Verdict: Away win
Finest odds: 57/100
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Liverpool will search to achieve the 45-point tally earlier than the yr is over after they journey to face West Ham at London Stadium on Sunday. The Premier League leaders come into the sport on the again of a 3-1 win over Leicester Metropolis in midweek, whereas the Hammers triumphed 1-0 over last-place Southampton.
West Ham
Liverpool’s thrilling 6-3 victory over Tottenham highlighted each their attacking brilliance and defensive vulnerabilities, because the Reds conceded at the least twice in a fourth consecutive Premier League away recreation. With lapses at Arsenal, Southampton, and Newcastle previous the North London spectacle, there are indicators of frailty in Arne Slot’s rearguard.
West Ham, buoyed by a morale-boosting 1-0 win in Southampton on Thursday with Jarrod Bowen on course, method their remaining fixture of the yr in a assured temper. Julen Lopetegui’s males at the moment are unbeaten in 4 Premier League video games, incomes a commendable eight factors to rise above Manchester United into thirteenth place. The Irons discover themselves nearer to the highest 5 than the relegation zone, silencing whispers of managerial instability.
The Hammers’ consistency in entrance of purpose has been pivotal, scoring in every of their final seven Premier League matches. On the London Stadium, their resilience is clear, having misplaced simply as soon as of their earlier six league outings.
Whereas West Ham held Liverpool final season at house, the Merseysiders have sometimes dominated this fixture, profitable six of the final seven conferences in all competitions. That features a resounding 5-1 triumph in September’s Carabao Cup tie, in addition to an equivalent scoreline in final season’s competitors, the place Liverpool marched to Wembley glory. Each groups will goal to shut the yr on a excessive, however the Irons face a frightening process towards a relentless Liverpool assault.
Staff Information
West Ham’s celebrations following their win over Southampton had been tempered by a spate of accidents and suspensions, leaving Julen Lopetegui dealing with vital choice dilemmas forward of Liverpool’s go to.
The Irons misplaced Lukasz Fabianski to a head harm, with the veteran goalkeeper stretchered off and now observing concussion protocols. Max Kilman additionally departed early with a shoulder concern, whereas Carlos Soler was withdrawn at half-time because of a knee criticism. Including to the midfield woes, Guido Rodriguez and Tomas Soucek are each suspended.
On the brighter facet, Lucas Paqueta’s return from suspension gives some respite, seemingly slotting into one of many midfield vacancies. Edson Alvarez can also be poised for a recall to bolster the engine room, however West Ham stay with out Michail Antonio, who continues to get better from accidents sustained in a current automobile accident.
Bowen, steadily linked with Liverpool, will signify the best attacking risk in Lopetegui’s lineup.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s relentless march towards the Premier League title continued on Thursday night, as Arne Slot’s high-flying facet capitalized on Chelsea’s earlier shock defeat to Fulham by overturning an early setback to defeat Leicester Metropolis.
Jordan Ayew’s opener for the Foxes briefly threatened an upset, however the Reds unsurprisingly produced a robust response. Cody Gakpo’s gorgeous equalizer on the stroke of halftime was the spark Liverpool wanted, and Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah accomplished the turnaround to safe all three factors.
Salah’s decisive strike not solely sealed the victory but additionally cemented his place in Premier League historical past because the eighth participant to achieve 100 house objectives within the competitors, reaching the milestone because the fourth-fastest to take action. The Egyptian’s constant brilliance continues to underpin Liverpool’s success.
With 11 wins from their final 13 matches throughout all competitions, Liverpool have constructed a commanding lead on the high of the Premier League desk. They continue to be unbeaten in all 13 away matches this season, discovering the online in each recreation, a testomony to Slot’s tactical acumen and the squad’s attacking prowess.
Nevertheless, defensive frailties have often surfaced, notably away from Anfield. Whereas their potential to get better and safe outcomes stays spectacular, these vulnerabilities may supply a glimmer of hope to imminent opponents searching for to upset the Reds’ exceptional run.
Staff Information
There may be nothing new on the harm entrance for Liverpool. The one unfit absentees are Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate, which makes Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez nailed-on starters for Sunday. Dominik Szoboszlai is, nonetheless, suspended after choosing up his fifth yellow card of the season in Thursday, and which means Curtis Jones can also be more likely to begin, although the just lately recovered Harvey Elliott is an possibility as effectively.
Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz will each be hoping for a begin too, with Darwin Nunez most certainly to make manner for one among them. It’s onerous to think about Cody Gakpo or Mohamed Salah not being within the lineup on Sunday, although a relaxation for both would arguably be useful.
Conclusion
West Ham’s depleted midfield may depart Lopetegui with no alternative however to undertake a extra attacking method than he’d like, which could bolster their prospects of exploiting Liverpool’s occasional defensive lapses. Their spectacular scoring streak may additionally pose issues for the league leaders on the London Stadium.
Nevertheless, Liverpool’s depth and relentless type make them favorites to capitalize on West Ham’s harm woes. With recent legs within the type of Jota and Diaz accessible to Slot, the Reds are primed to dismantle a weakened West Ham facet and shut out the yr in dominant style. Whereas the Irons could land a couple of punches, Liverpool’s firepower ought to finally show overwhelming.
Verdict: Away win
Finest odds: 57/100
Bookmaker: ZetBet
