The Leading Logic In Sports Handicapping |
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msudogs
Moderator
Registered: Nov 2005
Posts: 65535
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Liverpool will want to avoid a drop-off in performance as they face a trip to Swansea City on Monday night. The Reds delivered one of their best displays in recent history as they beat league leaders Manchester City last weekend. They became the first team to beat Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League this season and it was a sign of what the club could become under Jurgen Klopp. Although they aren’t challenging for the league title this season, they are progressing well under the German and they will want to build positive momentum to take into next season.
Swansea City have shown an improvement since the appointment of Carlos Carvalhal, but their upcoming fixtures suggest they could become cut adrift before things improve further. The Swans face back-to-back fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal before a difficult trip to Leicester City. At the time of writing, they are four points from climbing out of the relegation zone. It isn’t a huge gap, but if they don’t pick up points in their next three matches, they would be in a perilous position. This is the hardest of those three fixtures, but given their home advantage, they have a chance of picking up a result. It would be typical of this Liverpool team to beat Manchester City and then drop points against the bottom-placed side.
The sale of Philippe Coutinho was a disappointment for supporters, but they have picked up two great wins without the Brazilian and the impact of his departure may be less than initially anticipated. Their attacking fluidity makes them difficult to defend against and when they are on form, they are arguably the most dangerous team in the league. Swansea have looked better at the back under Carvalhal, but it is difficult to see the home side keeping Klopp’s side at bay. The Reds will be expecting another victory this weekend to consolidate their position in the top four.
INTERESTING STATS
Unsurprisingly, Swansea City have scored the fewest number of goals in the Premier League. The Swans have hit the back of the net on only 14 occasions.
Liverpool have lost just two matches during this Premier League season. Manchester City are the only team to have tasted defeat on fewer occasions.
TEAM NEWS
Mike Van Der Hoorn and Renato Sanches are both doubts for this weekend as they battle hamstring injuries. Angel Rangel will be missing with a calf strain. Tammy Abraham is fighting to be fit after a hip injury.
Mo Salah, Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren are all doubts after suffering with illness during this past week. Virgil van Dijk should be available after missing last weekend’s win over Manchester City with a tight hamstring. Daniel Sturridge, Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne all remain on the injured list.
VERDICT
Although the home side have been improved since the appointment of Carlos Carvalhal, it is difficult to see them picking up any points this weekend. Liverpool looked excellent last week and they will be full of confidence as they arrive in South Wales. Their front three have a lot of pace and they are all at the top of their games at the moment. It was feared that they would be less potent after the departure of Coutinho, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. An away victory is the most likely result and they could score a few goals against the bottom-placed club.
SWANSEA CITY 1-3 LIVERPOOL
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01-22-18 12:30 AM |
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