Liverpool’s post-Steven Gerrard era started off well enough with all three points at Stoke. The Reds weren’t really at their best, as their marquee summer signings couldn’t quite deliver debut goals. Liverpool’s new recruits will now look to make a good first impression in front of their home support when they host newly-promoted Bournemouth.
The Cherries were a little unlucky in their season opener, as they fell 1-0 to Aston Villa. How will the English “Special One,” Eddie Howe handle his squad’s first trip to Anfield? Read on for our preview of this Monday matchup.
Meanwhile, check out our previews the Premier League’s top games of the weekend, Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal and Manchester City vs. Chelsea.
[sc:Soccer ]Liverpool vs. Bournemouth Preview
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
When: Monday, August 17, 8:30 AM ET
Line: Bournemouth +540 at Liverpool -240, tie +300; total: 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Betting on Liverpool
Liverpool exacted some revenge for last season’s 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Stoke by beating the Potters 1-0 at the Britannia to get their season off to a winning start. Philippe Coutinho’s wonder strike in the 86th minute was enough for the Reds, who were good but not great in their opening match.
Liverpool, which lost key players in Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling over the summer, received some promising performances from former Manchester City player James Milner, as well as from defender Dejan Lovren, one of last season’s big disappointments. Big money signing Christian Benteke was largely silent, though, while Brazilian Roberto Firmino only featured in the last 12 minutes.
Manager Brendan Rodgers could give Firmino his first start of the season against Bournemouth, especially after he scored a hat-trick in a recent friendly. Emre Can could also find his way into the first 11 after making a huge difference as the holding midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation.
Liverpool went 10-5-4 at home last season, with just 30 goals scored – the lowest total in the top seven. But Benteke and Firmino should be looking to open their Liverpool accounts against newly-promoted Bournemouth, who may find the experience of playing at Anfield a tad too intimidating.
Liverpool faced Bournemouth away in cup competitions twice in the last two seasons, and won both meetings by two clear goals.
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Betting on Bournemouth
After a terrific run toward promotion in the Championship last season, Bournemouth got a dose of reality in their first ever Premier League game. Despite launching four more shots and controlling 16 percent more possession (58 to 42), the Cherries still lost 1-0 at home to Aston Villa, one of the clubs that Bournemouth almost replaced in the Premier League.
Bournemouth outplayed Villa early in the game, but the Cherries just couldn’t convert their chances. They had just two shots on target in 11 total shots. Scoring 98 goals in the Championship is one thing, but doing so in the Premier League is a completely different story.
With last year’s top scorers – Callum Wilson (20 league goals), Matt Richie (15), and Yann Kermorgant (15) all unproven Premier League quantities, goals will likely be much harder to come by.
Bournemouth will be hoping Max Gradel can provide that much-needed quality up front. Gradel, who made his debut as a second half substitute against Villa, scored 17 goals in 31 games with St.-Etienne in France’s Ligue 1 last season.
Manager Eddie Howe has built his success in Bournemouth on very positive, attacking football. But he’s a smart manager, and he won’t be naïve enough to enter Anfield all guns blazing. Instead, look for him to set his team up in a more cautious approach and try to steal a point away from home.
Writer’s Prediction
Liverpool (-240) has too much talent for the Cherries as their new strikers fire for a 2-0 home win.
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