Liverpool will look to seal a spot in the last-16 of the Champions League on Wednesday night as they welcome Qarabag to Anfield.
Liverpool’s hopes of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League were given a major boost last week as they went away to the Velodrome and won 0-3 at Marseille.
Arne Slot’s men have now won five of their seven league phase matches (W5-D0-L2), leaving them in fourth position in the table, two points clear of ninth-placed Barcelona.
However, the Reds saw their winless run in the Premier League extended to five matches at the weekend as they lost 3-2 away at Bournemouth – on an evening I landed a 17/20 winner – meaning they’ve dropped to sixth in the table.
Qarabag put a halt to their four-match winless run in the Champions League last week as they secured a late and dramatic 3-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Qurban Qurbanov’s visitors are now in an excellent position to reach the playoffs, as they have now moved up into 18th spot in the league phase table, two points clear of 25th-placed Napoli.
How the bookies view it: Liverpool clear favourites
As expected, Liverpool are expected to claim all three points, with bet365 pricing a home success at just 1/8.
Qarabag are 18/1 outsiders to claim their first-ever victory over English opposition, whilst the draw is 8/1.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Wednesday night will be the very first meeting between these two clubs.
Players to watch: Szoboszlai to strike again in Europe
Dominik Szoboszlai continued his fine form in Europe this season last week at the Velodrome, as he scored the opener in Liverpool’s 0-3 victory against Marseille.
The Hungarian international has scored four goals and provided three assists across his seven appearances in Europe this season – providing a goal contribution in six of those matches – and the 10/11 on offer at William Hill for him to Score or Assist at Anfield on Wednesday night appeals to me.
Think you’ve found odds that look too good to be true? Explore our Value Betting guide and learn when a price is genuinely favourable.
Predicted line-ups:
Liverpool will still be missing Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak through injury, whilst Joe Gomez and Federico Chiesa are doubts.
Qarabag have Kady Borges and Ramil Sheydayev missing due to injury and ineligibility respectively.
Liverpool: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, MacAllister, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Salah, Ekiteke
Qarabag: Kochalski, Silva, Mustasfazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev, Bicalho, Jankovic, Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir, Duran
Anything else catch the eye?
Qarabag’s matches in Europe are genuinely good for goals, with their previous 10 continental clashes having averaged an eye-catching 4.30 goals per game.
Over 3.5 Goals has paid out in an impressive eight (80%) of those clashes, including in a 2-2 draw at home to fellow Premier League side Chelsea at the beginning of November.
Over 3.5 Goals has also been a winning selection in two of Liverpool’s three Champions League contests at Anfield this term, and a repeat pays 10/11 at bet365.
GambleAware