LIVERPOOL v NORWICH CITY
Premier League
Friday 9th August 2019
Kickoff: 2000hrs
Pick: Liverpool win/Over 2.5
Bookmaker: Boylesports
Odds: 1.50 (odds taken at 06:27 GMT, 09 August 2019)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.14 | 9.10 | 16.00 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on August 09, 2019 at 06:27)
The start of another Premier League season is upon us and the curtain is raised on Friday night with a clash between Liverpool and Norwich City as the betting tips continue at Anfield with the hosts looking to get off to a winning start.
Liverpool Prediction – Can Liverpool make winning start?
The Reds came agonisingly close to securing their first ever Premier League title last season when they were pipped at the post by title rivals, Manchester City.
Just a single point separated the two teams at the conclusion of last season after it became clear quite early on that it was going to be a ‘two-horse race’.
At the turn of the year, Liverpool held a 7-point cushion over Manchester City who were at that point in 3rd place with 2nd placed Tottenham being Liverpool’s closest rival and 6 points adrift.
But Manchester City with their extensive depth in quality of their squad slowly but surely ground Liverpool down and eventually secured another league title.
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, knows his side cannot afford another slip-up again this season even though they won the Champions League.
Domestically, the league title still remains the holy grail and one that Liverpool haven’t captured since the 1989 season under Kenny Dalglish.
This will be the 30th season that Liverpool haven’t won the domestic league title, and although they haven’t spent big during the summer, they remain Manchester City’s closest rivals.
The signing of defender van Dijk and Brazilian goalkeeper, Alisson, proved to be among Klopp’s best signings for Liverpool yet and certainly shored up a previously porous defence.
The attacking trio of Mane, Firmino and Salah with the likes of Shaqiri and Origi in supporting roles remain one of the best forward lines in the country.
This is exemplified by the fact that 63% of their home matches in the Premier League last season saw over 2.5 goals scored.
And out of 19 home matches last term, a Liverpool win and Over 2.5 goals was achieved in 12 of these 19 matches.
Norwich City Prediction – Can Norwich defy the odds?
Newly promoted Norwich City will be relishing their first game of the season away at Anfield as they usher in a new era in East Anglia.
Despite facing the daunting task of attempting to be the first team to beat Liverpool at Anfield since Crystal Palace in April 2017, Norwich will be hoping they can catch Liverpool cold here.
Norwich City were by far and away the best team in the Championship last season as they won the title by a comfortable 5-point margin ahead of Sheffield United.
However, the warning signs are there for Norwich; The Canaries possessed the fourth worst defensive record overall out of the top 10 teams in the division.
Daniel Farke’s side were heralded last season for their attacking prowess, helped by the likes of the goalscoring midfielders Buendia and Vrancic, along with forward Teemu Pukki.
But it’s the defensive side of things that must not be neglected, as former Fulham coach, Slavisa Jokanovic, would readily testify to!
The Canaries will also need to vastly improve upon their results away from Carrow Road too this term if they’re to consolidate their top flight status.
The visitors won just 3 of their 19 away matches throughout their last campaign, which included losing 9 of their last 10 on the road of that disastrous 2015/16 season.
Key-Facts – Liverpool v Norwich City
- Liverpool remained unbeaten at home throughout last season’s EPL
- A Liverpool win and Over 2.5 goals was achieved in 12 of their 19 home matches
- Norwich lost 9 of their last 10 away matches in their last EPL campaign
Betting Tips Verdict
This should be a clear-cut win for Liverpool who should also exploit Norwich at the back too.
