Liverpool (17-6-9, 57 Points) is clearly going to, at best, be in the Europa League next season. Manager Brendan Rodgers will certainly be tinkering with his formation once again on Saturday against West Brom (9-9-15, 36 Points), a team which still has to feel like it needs at least one more result to be totally safe from relegation.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Reds are even money favorites in this game, but we aren't all that sure why, especially on the road. Sure, they have eight victories away from Anfield this year, while West Brom isn't in the best of form, but that's still a really stout price on a team which is no better than the fifth best team in England.
The total is much more modest and reasonable at 2.5 (under -115).
KEY INJURIES
Though there are a number of players who aren't going to be available on Saturday for Rodgers, Daniel Sturridge is the big question mark. He has just a minor knock to speak of, but he hasn't played in a fortnight now, which makes his status on Saturday questionable at best.
Andre Wisdom is ineligible for this match for Albion due to the fact that he is on loan from Liverpool. Youssuf Mulumbu remains suspended thanks to his violent conduct which drew a red card against QPR on April 4.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I'm just taking it in my stride and hopefully in these last few games, the run-in until the end of the season, I can kick on again. I'm still learning and developing, so only time will tell." – Liverpool midfielder Raheem Sterling on his contract negotiations, ones which could see him out of Anfield next season
RECENT FORM
WBA did what it had to do last weekend in Tony Pulis' return to Crystal Palace. The Baggies managed a 2-0 victory, one which ended a three-match losing streak and likely eased any relegation fears. Still, three more points would probably remove any of those lingering thoughts of the drop once and for all.
Liverpool was beaten last week in the FA Cup semis to Aston Villa in somewhat shocking fashion. In that match, Rodgers switched formations four times in the middle of the proceedings, and that has been a recurring problem for the team. The Reds have lost three of their last five matches across all competitions.
TALKING TOTALS
Goals haven't been a problem for West Brom. The team has knocked in five in its last three games, but that clean sheet against Palace ended a run of allowing 10 goals in its last three. The CP game was also the first under duel for West Brom since March 14.
The erratic formations for Liverpool have led to unpredictable results in terms of totals. The FA Cup semi did go past the number, as did matches against top flight Arsenal and Manchester United. Still, in the midst of that were three matches against Newcastle, Blackburn and Swansea City which combined to see just four goals hit the back of the net.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Tactically speaking, this match should be interesting. Pulis is going to likely go to a similar formation he used against Crystal Palace where he will tuck his back midfielders more into defense and allow the four at the back to be stretched just a bit over the field.
That's going to take a lot of room away out on the wings for the Reds, who are at their best when they aren't just attacking right down the center of the pitch.
In the end, this match is screaming for a scoreless draw. Maybe one side ekes out a winner, but after perhaps an hour or so, a draw will be a result which would suit both sides.
Liverpool 0, West Brom 0
BookMaker has EPL lines for every match of the season. Liverpool is lined as a +100 moneyline favorite, while the total is set at 2.5 (under -115). You can make a futures bet and predict the champion, wager on head-to-head matchups or use BookMaker’s live betting feature to gamble while the match is happening.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The fixture between Liverpool and West Brom is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. ET at The Hawthorns. The match will be televised live on NBC Sports Live Extra.
