Week 3 of the 2016/17 Premier League season doesn’t throw up many anticipated fixtures for neutrals, but one that’s sure to attract attraction is the Saturday lunchtime kick off between Spurs and Liverpool. Spurs are narrow favourites for the game, priced at 13/10, whilst Liverpool are slightly less favoured at 21/10.
Spurs have gone about their first two games in an efficient manner. They faced a tough start away at Everton, leaving with a draw, whilst they scraped a result at home to Crystal Palace last week. Vincent Wanyama was the unlikely hero in that game, scoring the winner in the 82nd minute and he’s available at 9/1 to score anytime against Liverpool. There were fears before the start of the season that Harry Kane would face a “Euro 2016 hangover” and so far these worries have been proved correct. He’s yet to find the back of the net this season, but is priced at 15/4 to score first on Saturday lunchtime. As for team news, Moussa Dembele is serving the fifth of his six-game ban and won’t be available until after the international break. Hugo Lloris remains unavailable due to a hamstring injury that he picked up in the first game of the season.
Aside from a 15-minute spell against Arsenal, Liverpool have been poor this season. They outclassed the Gunners for a brief period after half time, but there was nothing to shout about in the first half apart from the Coutinho free kick. A 2-0 defeat away at Burnley last weekend highlighted the inconsistency that hampered their season last year. Sadio Mane however has settled into life at Anfield well, announcing himself with a superb goal against Arsenal. He’s scored nine goals in his last nine games and is priced at 51/20 to score anytime against Spurs. At the other end of the field, defending is still an issue. James Milner is expected to fill in again at left back, whilst Simon Mignolet continues in goal. Mignolet has conceded the last five shots that he’s faced on target in the Premier League and the Reds have only kept two clean sheets in their last 13 top-flight games. A Liverpool clean sheet at lunchtime tomorrow is available at 3/1. Injury news for Liverpool and Emre Can is doubtful after picking up an ankle injury against Burton in the week. Divock Origi suffered cramp in the same game, but is expected to be available, as is Sadio Mane who missed last weekend’s game with a shoulder injury.
Match Prediction and Stats
Look away now Spurs fans, Tottenham have failed to win in their last seven League meetings with Liverpool, losing five of those games and conceding a total of 19 goals. Both of last season’s meetings between the two sides ended in a draw. One thing that can be guaranteed in this game is goals, Spurs vs. Liverpool has produced more own goals than any other fixture and this run can be continued at 29/4. As for a score prediction, 2:2 is available at 12/1, however Spurs to win and both teams to score can be found at 3/1.
