English Premier
2010-12-29 - Liverpool vs Wolves
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Wednesday 29 December 2010 - Kickoff 8pm
This game is live on TV
Liverpool
Liverpool have not played a League fixture for a couple of weeks which could have been a benefit as several first team players are now raring to go. Roy Hodgson has got his side playing well at Anfield, but too many disappointing results away from home have hurt the side and the chances to move up the table.
Liverpool are 11th in the Premier League at the time of writing (before the West Ham-Everton game was concluded), but will see this as a chance to move closer to the top 4 again. They are 5-2-1 at Anfield, scoring 15 goals and conceding just 6. Only Manchester United have lost less games at home this season and only Chelsea have a better defensive record in front of their own fans.
This is the first fixture for Liverpool in the Premier League since the 3-1 loss at Newcastle United and their first in any competition since the 15th December. They have won their last 4 Premier League games at Anfield, conceding just 1 goal in those games, and are unbeaten in their last 6 at home in all competitions since the shocking 1-2 defeat to Blackpool.
Steven Gerrard has been fit to play for about 10 days and should be chomping at the bit to return to action. Dan Agger is also back in the squad and Fernando Torres should start up front. Jamie Carragher is likely to return to action quicker than expected but is still out.
Wolves
Mick McCarthy was stunned by the lack of general effort in defending when his side were beaten 1-2 at home to Wigan on Sunday. That result left the side bottom of the Premier League and now facing a run of games against Liverpool twice, Chelsea, Manchester City and United and Arsenal in their next 8 League fixtures.
Things look bleak for the club after that defeat to Wigan. Wolves prop up the rest of the League, and while only 4 points from safety, they have a run of games that even the top sides would approach with a little trepidation. Away from Molineaux has been particularly tough for Wolves and they are 0-1-7, scoring just 5 goals and conceding 17. They are one of two clubs yet to win away from home and are the joint lowest scorers in the League on their travels.
Wolves have lost 9 of their last 13 Premier League games, but come into this after winning 2 of their last 4. The confidence from beating Birmingham at home has been hit hard by the loss to Wigan. Away from home has been a disaster in recent weeks for Wolves, losing 8 in a row in all competitions and they have conceded at least 2 goals in each of those games.
Injuries are also really hurting Mick McCarthy and what he can do with his team in terms of changes. Kevin Doyle and Jody Craddock remain out for this game as are Karl Henry and Michael Mancienne.
Head to Head
Liverpool have won both recent meetings at home against Wolves in the Premier League. The corresponding fixture ended in a 2-0 win for the home side last season.
Prediction
This is a really tough spot for Wolves to be in and I would not be at all surprised if Mick McCarthy decides to utilise his squad in the same manner that Ian Holloway did for Blackpool earlier this season. This would be a tough ask for Wolves with a full team, but with West Ham away as their next fixture, I just think McCarthy may freshen things up during this busy period of the season- he has previous too, doing the very thing at Old Trafford last season.
Liverpool have been strong at home and the return of Steven Gerrard will boost their creativity from dead ball situations and open play. They have kept clean sheets at home in recent games and I expect Liverpool to be able to create chances.
I just have to back the home side here to win with a bit to spare. I will take Liverpool on the Asian Handicap.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Liverpool 3-0 Wolves
