Southampton v Liverpool EFL Cup Predictions & Betting Odds – 11th January 2017

Reds to earn first leg advantage

Southampton
Southampton © GEPA pictures

Southampton v Liverpool Betting Preview – EFL Cup 11th January 7.45pm

Tough game for Southampton at the moment as the Saints have lost some of their edge for some reason. Their defence has been creaking and they have gone winless in their last four games across all competitions. But they did hold out to a 0-0 draw against Liverpool in the league on the south coast earlier in the season. Can the Saints hang in there and have something to defend at Anfield in the second leg, or will their defensive frailties allow Liverpool, who will be sending out a stronger lineup than they did on the weekend, an opportunity to take full control of this tie?

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Southampton v Liverpool Betting Tips

These two managed to play out a 0-0 draw on the south coast when they faced off in the Premier League back in November. It was a game in which Southampton failed to get off a single shot on target in though. The Saints just aren’t carrying the kind of form at the moment to suggest that they are going to pull off a surprise win here to take an advantage back to Anfield to defend in the second leg. The Saints have gone D3 L1 in their last four games in all competitions and the usually rock solid defence of the Saints is crumbling. Claude Puel has seen his side ship a total of eleven goals in their last four games and that was after shipping just two in their previous four. Unfortunately for Southampton, they don’t have the firepower going forward to cover up the defensive lapses. Only twice in their last fourteen games have their managed more than two goals in a single game. This match to go under 2.5 goals with Sky Bet is a quote of 4/5.

Southampton haven’t been bad at home this term because across all competitions on the south coast they have gone W8 D4 L3 but they have lost their last two there, those being Premier League losses against Tottenham and West Brom. The Saints are just lacking any kind of real output going forward in front of goal with Charlie Austin out. Shane Long is a price of 2/1 in the Sky Bet anytime goalscorer market, the same as Jay Rodriguez. There is a quote of even money on both teams not to score in this one, worth a flutter probably as both teams have scored in just two of the last five between these on the south coast, Liverpool winning two of those games to nil.

Southampton and Liverpool met in last season’s EFL Cup at St Mary’s, the home side coming off badly in a 6-1 loss and that was despite scoring in the first minute. Liverpool rested all of their main regulars for the visit of Plymouth to Anfield in the FA Cup on the weekend. Probably a wise move because they are going to go strongly at this now in a busy schedule for them. In the anytime goalscorer market they have Daniel Sturridge as 6/4 favourite, with Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino at 9/5. Liverpool have suffered just the one loss in their last four trips to St Mary’s across all competitions and will be looking for a comfortable cushion to take back to Anfield. Liverpool have produced a W8 D3 L2 in all competitions out on the road this season, and have taken away wins with a clean sheet at Burton and Derby in the EFL Cup this term. Liverpool to win to nil at Sky Bet is a price of 11/4. After a decent rest on the weekend Liverpool should put the shaky Southampton back line under pressure, but look under the 2.5 goal line on the game though as it could be tight.

Southampton v Liverpool Betting Odds

Liverpool 5/4, Draw 12/5, Southampton 12/5

Southampton v Liverpool Predictions

We would expect low scoring game to play out here, even with Liverpool in action. The Saints did a good job defensively in the league against the Reds earlier in the season, but Southampton are just struggling at the back at the moment and can’t wholeheartedly be trusted. Liverpool are that sharper of the two going forward, so look for a narrow away win to play itself out and that will be one foot in the final for the Reds with the second leg to come at Anfield.