Bournemouth vs Liverpool tips and predictions: Reds' strength in depth will end Cherries' cup ambitions
- Robbie Savage
- 30 October 2023
Planet Sport Bet's Robbie Savage thinks Liverpool will have too much in the locker for Bournemouth in the last sixteen on the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night (1945).
It being the last sixteen you think Bournemouth might play one of their strongest teams. Will Liverpool do the same or will they look to their strength in depth to play against Bournemouth?
Liverpool have already beaten them in the league this season, and I think Liverpool will probably not play their strongest team, as the strength in depth they have is fantastic, and one of the reasons why I think they can challenge for the Premier League title.
I still think City will win the league, but it’s going to be close and it’s going to be a fantastic race. Look at Spurs, look at Arsenal and look at Liverpool. It’s four teams that can win the Premier League this season, which is two more than previous seasons, so it’s going to be an interesting race.
But for Wednesday, I think Liverpool will beat Bournemouth, and I think Liverpool will win it 2-0.
Robbie’s prediction: Bournemouth 0 Liverpool 2
Team news
Bournemouth will be without Tyler Adams (thigh), Emiliano Marcondes (foot), Ryan Fredericks (calf) and first-choice goalkeeper Neto (foot), so Inter Milan loanee Radu is likely to continue in goal.
Marcos Senesi is touch-and-go with a muscle problem, so Chris Mepham could continue at the back.
Luis Diaz is again unlikely to be included in the Liverpool squad after his parents' kidnapping, while Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (hip) and Ben Doak (muscle) will all miss out.
Curtis Jones is back from suspension and could return to the side, along with a number of Reds' fringe players including Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott.
Key stats
- Liverpool have not lost in five
- Bournemouth and Liverpool have not drawn in the last nine games with each other
- Liverpool have already beaten Bournemouth in the league this season - 3-1.
- Bournemouth last beat Liverpool in March 23, but in their match earlier in the season the Cherries lost 9-0
Planet Sport's other bets to consider
Liverpool are once again a winning machine under Jurgen Klopp. The Reds have won 11 of 14 in all competitions since their opening-day draw with Chelsea.
Bournemouth were one of the sides to beat them last season, but they’ve already been beaten 3-1 at Anfield this term.
Liverpool’s results on their travels this campaign suggest they’re in better stead to navigate what could be a banana skin tie at the Vitality Stadium.
While the scorelines haven’t been too emphatic, it’s notable that 10 of their 11 victories have come by two clear goals, so the -1.5 Asian handicap looks a nice price.
Chelsea remain the only side to stop 11-man Liverpool from scoring two or more this season, while even Newcastle couldn’t prevent 10-men from doing likewise.
There’s little value in the price on Liverpool to score two or more, unless you take a chance of an away win and three or more goals in the match.
One interesting trend this season is that Bournemouth have conceded in both halves of all five of their defeats. On the other hand, Liverpool have scored in both halves five times.
The Cherries have struggled in front of goal this season, scoring eight in 10. Their tendency to concede early goals could be the building blocks for Liverpool to win both halves.
Klopp’s side have turned up the heat after the break, outscoring their opponents 21-2 in the second half in all competitions.
