The last time Stoke hosted Liverpool, they spoiled Steven Gerrard’s Premier League going-away party by smashing six past the Reds. Well, after ending last season against one another, both teams will start the new one facing off once again.
The Reds did some shopping during the summer to improve on last year’s poor showing, but Stoke have had Liverpool’s number at the Britannia, and will be looking to hand them another heavy defeat.
Read on for a complete preview of this fascinating grudge match. Meanwhile, check out our previews of Manchester United vs. Tottenham and Chelsea vs. Swansea.
[sc:Soccer ]Stoke City vs. Liverpool Betting Preview
Where: Britannia Stadium, Stoke
When: Sunday, August 9, 11:00 AM ET
Line: Liverpool +113 at Stoke City +214, tie +210; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Betting on Stoke City
Two years under manager Mark Hughes have yielded consecutive top-half finishes for Stoke City. The Potters finished ninth for the second year running in 2014-15, but they could be pushing for European places this season after some very savvy business during the summer transfer window.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Despite losing goalkeeper Asimir Begovic and midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, Stoke reinvested in the squad by purchasing former Real Madrid striker Joselu, and German central defender Philipp Wollscheid, whose loan move was made permanent.
The Potters also made some very shrewd free transfer acquisitions in veteran goalkeeper Shay Given (to replace Begovic), former Liverpool and England defender Glen Johnson as well as former Barcelona winger Ibrahim Afellay.
With those signings, Stoke now have even more flexibility in terms of their playing style. They still have the physical and aerially-gifted individuals (Ryan Shawcross, Peter Crouch, Jonathan Walters and Mame Diouf) who can simply overpower opponents with route one football. Meanwhile, the likes of Afellay, Joselu, Marko Arnautovic, and Bojan Krkic can provide more skill and craft to the side.
Whatever style Stoke has used at home against Liverpool in recent years has seemed to work. Stoke have beaten the Reds four times in their last seven meetings at home, scoring at least three times in the last three meetings. Their most recent matchup was in last season’s finale, where Stoke shocked Liverpool 6-1 in Steven Gerrard’s Premier League send-off.
Betting on Liverpool
It’s been quite a busy summer for Liverpool as well. Gone is club icon Gerrard as well as rising star Raheem Sterling after a lengthy transfer saga. But the Reds have reinvested the record fee they received from the Sterling sale – and then some – into strengthening their squad with the goal of improving from last year’s disappointing sixth-place finish.
Liverpool spent 60 million pounds on forwards Christian Benteke and Robert Firmino to revive an attack that scored just 52 goals last season. Benteke ended last season very strongly with Aston Villa, and finished as the team’s leading scorer with 13 league goals. Meanwhile, the Brazilian Firmino is just one season removed from banging home 16 league goals for Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.
James Milner and Danny Ings also came to Anfield on free transfers, while right back Nathaniel Clyne became the third Southampton player to join in the past two years.
However, it remains to be seen how manager Brendan Rodgers will successfully incorporate all the new pieces to his team. Rodgers made several changes to his formation throughout last season – from 3-4-3 to 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3, and vice versa – with varying degrees of success. He might not have the combination for his team quite right ahead of their trip to the Britannia.
Liverpool were very inconsistent away from Anfield last season. The Reds won eight and lost eight in 19 total away matches, with just 22 goals scored.
Writer’s Prediction
Stoke deals Liverpool another loss as the Potters prevail 2-1 at home. Create a betting account now and score some of the best soccer odds around with America’s top online sportsbook.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]1,506 total views, 1 views today
