Liverpool to stand firm at edge past Watfordc
Liverpool will be very comfortable as the chasers in the Premier League title race, one point behind Manchester City with nine games remaining in the division.
The top three sides, including Chelsea, are all still in the Champions League as well with the campaign set for an enthralling climax.
The Reds and Watford have a lot of players who would have been playing for their nations in the international break, therefore there is not a significant advantage for Watford due to the bigger teams typically having more international players.
Mohamed Salah will be hoping to bounce back from his penalty miss in Egypt’s defeat to Senegal by brushing the Hornets aside at Anfield.
Process
It feels like it suits Liverpool for City to be the favourites to push on and win the title, able to go about their business without the pressure of teams behind them.
Watford are going to come and sit back as is expected under Roy Hodgson, the Hornets have picked up a few good results since he replaced Claudio Ranieri at the helm, but it is obvious that they are going to sit in and look to contain Liverpool, which leans this game towards a potential unders angle, as does the players involved having miles in their legs.
Liverpool are creating a whopping 2.71 expected goals (xG) for per game, an outstanding progress, but have not been as strong as Pep Guardiola’s men at the back conceding, 1.00 xGA per game.
Watford have underperformed in both boxes this season and actually rank 16th, compared to 18th, on expected points.
The Hornets are creating chances at 1.22 xGF per game and conceding them at 1.71 per game, so it is clear to see why Liverpool are such strong favourites.
Goals?
Watford should be able to keep it respectable in a match where the majority of their attacks could be on the counter attack.
Liverpool have scored in eight of ten.
Liverpool have conceded in three of ten.
Liverpool have seen both teams score in two of ten.
Liverpool have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
Watford have scored in four of ten.
Watford have conceded in seven of ten.
Watford have seen both teams score in three of ten.
Watford have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
I am happy to get a Liverpool clean sheet onside and take both teams to score no.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A routine 2-0 win for the hosts.