Liverpool V Burnley

Liverpool V Burnley

Kick-Off: Saturday 12^th September – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Anfield

Liverpool

League Position: 7th

Recent Form: LWLW

After a less-than-convincing start to the new season, Liverpool aim to build on their most recent success away at Bolton and attempt to build up some momentum in a bid to close the gap on the London duo currently leading the way at the top of the Premiership.

The season maybe just four games old, in some cases, but Liverpool already find themselves playing catch up, after losing two of their opening four games, with defeats away at Tottenham Hotspur (2-1) and at home to Aston Villa (1-3). However, they did put both those results immediately to bed with victories in the games that followed, beating Stoke at home (4-0), and then Bolton at The Reebok (2-3), both off the back of those two disappointing defeats. Can they finally string a few results together and win their first back-to-back games of the new season or will Burnley frustrate yet another big side?

Liverpool’s most recent league outing, away at The Reebok against Bolton, did eventually go their way, with Steven Gerrard’s fine half-volley sparing Liverpool’s blushes in a 2-3 victory for the ‘Reds’. Although the win may have been achieved in a far from convincing manner, it was a win nonetheless and fans will be hoping and expecting their team kick on from here on out because any more slip up’s could prove costly and leave Liverpool with a mountain to climb as Rafael Benitez aims to guide Liverpool to their first league title in over 18 years.

Liverpool had a host of players involved with their respective International sides with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Abert Riera, Fernando Torres all aiming to be fit in time after a gruelling week of international football. So far, as to our knowledge, none of Liverpool’s key players have come back with any niggles, touch wood if you’re a Liverpool supporter.

Burnley

League Position: 10^th Position

Recent Form: LWWL

Burnley wouldn’t wish their horrific fixture list on anyone with this trip to Anfield being their third game against one of the so called ‘Big Four’. They’ve already beaten the champions, Manchester United, 1-0 at Turfmoor, whilst victory over Everton, at the same venue, has given Burnley’s survival bid a huge boost. However, they were beaten at Stamford Bridge by Chelsea, but Burnley didn’t come away from London without their fair share of the plaudits, with Paterson spurring a glorious opportunity to put Burnley ahead in that encounter. However, Burnley did come unstuck, eventually, but with a bit more patience and quality in the final third, Burnley could of been more of a handful.

Burnley have already made a sublime start to the season, winning two of their opening four league games. However, we mustn’t forget that both of those victories came at Turfmoor, the home of Burnley, but Owen Coyle’s side have come unstuck in both of their away encounters thus far, with defeats away at Stoke City and Chelsea, and this trip to Liverpool does represent an extremely tough task for Owen Coyle & Co.

Burnley are fortunate that very few of their players were involved in internationals but Steven Fletcher was heavily in the mix with Scotland and they’ll be hoping he’s recovered after some tough games with Macedonia & Holland.

Head-to-Head:

These two, unsurprisingly, have never played each other in the Premiership, so this will be a first for both sides. Liverpool are firm favourites to get the head-to-head record between the two going in their favour but Burnley will aiming to pick up their first away points of the season.

Match Verdict: Liverpool to WIN – 1/5 Bet365

Anything but a home victory here would be a disastrous result for Liverpool after already succumbing to two defeats at such an early stage of the season. They do have players returning from all over the globe, so Liverpool will have to contend with the fact that some of their key players will be a bit jet-lagged, but, Liverpool should have enough in reserve to overpower a Burnley side already showing early signs of team destined to struggle in their away encounters.

Match Odds:

Liverpool – 1/5 Bet365

Burnley – 17/1 Expekt.com

Draw – 11/2 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Tip: Liverpool to WIN BOTH HALVES – 11/8 SkyBet