The long-awaited return of the Premier League takes place on 16 August, with reigning champions Liverpool hosting Bournemouth at Anfield. Arne Slot will lead his side for the second season, after capturing the hearts of the Liverpool faithful, leading them to yet another coveted Premier League title.
Yes, expectations will be high, especially after a busy summer window, but the progressive nature of the Cherries doesn’t allow us to count them out just yet.
Playing at their fortress Anfield, Liverpool will be heavy favourites to oust their competitive opponents on the best online betting sites in the UK. However, there will be no shortage of markets to find great value.
Form & Momentum
The high-pressing, fluid and complete commitment to attacking football has remained under the former Feyenoord boss. His side will come into this game with confidence, and given that they dominate the head-to-head with Bournemouth, they will be expecting to get off to a flyer.
Bournemouth will not be intimidated by the prospect of playing the Reds, however, they are a proud side with energy and attacking quality. Count them out at your peril.
Tactical Preview: What to Expect
From the Liverpool perspective, it is rather cut and dry. Their midfield rotations are aggressive and given the quality they have out wide, nobody would be too surprised to see them overload the flanks to enter the final third.
For the Cherries, Iraola have been incredibly disciplined and compact through the middle of the field. The pressure and emotional energy of Anfield will be palpable, but if Bournemouth are able to soak it all up and play the counter-attacking game – they will certainly ask questions of this Liverpool side.
So, Liverpool will seek to dominate the ball and tempo of the game, but Bournemouth will look to their speed and movement to advance them through the lines when they have opportunities.
Key Player Matchups
The creativity of Dom Szoboszlai is likely to be on full display. As a midfield eight, he advances up the field with class, dictating the tempo and advancing his side through the lines with total ease and grace.
Milos Kerkez is against his old side, overlapping with width and intensity and likely to ensure that the game is as stretched as possible. Another aspect to consider is the transitions these two sides are able to play with, although if this proves to be the order of the day, it will only suit the hosts.
Opening-Match Betting Tips
Liverpool playing at home is always a difficult team to take points off. The energy and intensity that comes with playing at Anfield is such that they will look to increase the intensity of the game and play football at 120km/h.
- Back Liverpool to Win & Over 2.5 Goals
Another angle worth considering is backing the Reds to be up at the half-time break and seeing them through all the way to three points. They start really quickly and once they find their groove, it is very difficult to stop them.
- Liverpool/Liverpool (Halftime/Fulltime)
Match Prediction
For us, expect Arne Slot to make a statement performance at home. The energy and advantage of playing at Anfield usually suggests that the confidence of Slot’s side will be an all-time high. We think a comfortable win for the hosts is the way to go.
A high tempo game is expected, but that only suits the hosts.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth
