AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool Betting Preview

Back Liverpool to keep up their top-four push with a win

AFC Bournemouth

Eddie Howe’s side come into the game following a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Manchester United in the week, and they’ll feel aggrieved they weren’t able to come away with more. The result leaves the Cherries 14^th in the table, only two points above the relegation zone as we approach the half way point in the season, and with no wins in their last five league games, the fans will be starting to feel a little uncomfortable with their position.

It looks like a tough festive period for Bournemouth too, as they face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and Manchester City in the league following their meeting with Liverpool on Sunday, so it’s difficult to see them picking up many points in the coming weeks. On the plus side, they’ve only conceded 20 goals all season, the same tally as Liverpool. However they’ve not been prolific in front of goal, and with only two wins in eight home league games this season, Howe’s side could struggle against an in-from Liverpool.

Liverpool

The Reds are in a rich vein of form of late, and their goalless draw with West Brom on Wednesday means they’re now unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions. They currently sit fifth in the league, only behind Spurs on goal difference, and with last year’s runners-up travelling to high-flying Manchester City on Saturday, Jurgen Klopp will know there’s a good chance his side could end the week in the top four.

He’ll have even more confidence knowing his side have only lost two of their 17 league games so far, and that they’ve scored 12 goals in three successive league wins on their travels. They’ve found the net 20 times away from home, only Manchester City have more, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Klopp field his strongest side as they go in search of more success on the road. Their form in the month of December is rather impressive, having only lost one of their last 12 games – but that one defeat came against Bournemouth, in this fixture last season.

Head-to-Head

The two sides have met seven times before, with Liverpool winning five. Last season Bournemouth were unbeaten against the Reds in the league, winning this fixture 4-3 and taking a point away from Anfield. However prior to last season Liverpool had won all three meetings at the Vitality Stadium, and they could well prove too strong for the Cherries again on Sunday.

To score – Mohammed Salah 10/11

November’s player of the month Mo Salah is having an incredible first season on Merseyside. He’s now scored 13 goals and assisted a further four in his 17 league appearances, and has found the net eight times in his last seven. His form away from home is prolific, having scored in five of Liverpool’s eight league games on their travels, and I’m backing him to find the net again priced at 10/11.

Both teams to score – Yes 7/10

We’ve been treated to some goal fests in the last few meetings between the two sides – they’ve shared 14 goals in their last three encounters, and have both found the net in all but one of the four meetings at the Vitality. Liverpool have been prolific in front of goal away from home this season, and Bournemouth’s resolute defence will be tested. However the Reds have conceded 20 goals in the league, the most of any side in the top six, so Eddie Howe will be encouraging his side to attack on Sunday, as they did at Old Trafford in the week. I’m backing both teams to score with odds of 7/10.

Match odds – Liverpool 8/15

Despite drawing their last two, Liverpool are on a fantastic run of form, and I expect them to get back to winning ways on Sunday. A win for the Reds is priced at 8/15. You can back a draw at 7/2, or odds of 11/2 are available for a Bournemouth win.

Writer’s Prediction: AFC Bournemouth 1 – 3 Liverpool

*Odds correct at the time of publication, click here for all the latest odds on upcoming football matches.