Liverpool will look to go top of the league for at least 2 days as they host one of the bottom 5 sides in Cardiff. Liverpool have picked up a couple of wins since going on a 4 game run without any wins and their front 3 have seemingly hit form after each bagged a goal midweek in UCL. Cardiff won their first game last week this season but this will be a much bigger test as rarely anyone expects them to get anything out of this. Liverpool have been near perfect at Anfield and they’ll hope to keep it up here.
Key Facts
Liverpool have the tied best defensive record in the league having just conceded 3 goals in 9 games.
Liverpool have yet to concede a goal at Anfield in the Premier League this season. They’ve actually kept 9 clean sheets in a row dating back to last season in the league at home.
After a 4 game goal drought, Mo Salah has responded with 3 goals in his last 2 apps. Catching form.
Liverpool have played 6 bottom 10 sides this season and they’ve beaten them all only conceding 1 goal and keeping 5 clean sheets in the league.
Liverpool are unbeaten in 25 straight home league games. 16W 9D.
Cardiff have played 4 big 6 teams already this season losing to all of them. 4-1 to Chelsea, 1-0 to Spurs, 2-3 to Arsenal and 0-5 to Man City. 3 of those games had over 4.5 goals.
Cardiff scored 4 goals against Fulham who have the worst defensive record last week which was as many as they scored in the first 8 fixtures.
Cardiff have only scored 1 away goal in 4 away games this season.
Cardiff have conceded 20 goals in their last 7 matches in all competitions after just conceding 2 in the first 3.
Team News:
Liverpool: Liverpool are coming into this game without 2 of their key midfielders in Henderson and Keita. Otherwise there are no other serious injury news. We saw Fabinho and Shaqiri start alongside Wijnaldum in midfield during the midweek game against Crvena Zvezda but we should see Milner slot back in either for Fabinho or Shaqiri, more like for Fabinho as Shaqiri poses more of an attacking threat which is what Liverpool need more here since they’ll be facing a defensive minded side. Elsewhere expect no changes.
Cardiff City: Cardiff have a few injury doubts. Arter and Josh Murphy will both have to be evaluated which could be a big blow especially with the latter being in good form scoring 2 goals in previous 3 apps. Furthermore, Gary Madine is questionable and Joe Ralls is suspended for Neil Warnock’s side. Expect Cardiff to go with a defensive approach here and try to hit Liverpool with counter attacks.
Betting Tips and Predictions
In this game it’s pretty clear that Liverpool should have a comfortable win. Liverpool’s front 3 has come to life and they should not build on from that midweek game against Zvezda. Cardiff are a pretty similar level opposition and we expect Liverpool to score a few goals and to keep a clean sheet which is why we pick a -2.5 AH at 1.85. Cardiff have shown that they struggle against big teams, they concede a ton and despite scoring a few it was against worse defensive sides in Chelsea and Arsenal. We’re looking at another comfortable 4-0 win for the Reds. Liverpool are simply just a class above and we’ll likely see all of the front 3 score. Salah is priced at 1.50, Firmino at 1.95 and Mane at 2.15 to score anytime. Mane to score does look like the best bet from these 3 considering the odds.
Match Odds (TonyBet)
Liverpool Win – 1.11
Draw – 10.75
Cardiff City Win – 27.00
KICK OFF – 27th October 2018 – 3pm UK Time
