It continues to be a special season for Liverpool. The Reds pulled out another late win on Sunday to stay two points ahead of Manchester City in their bid to win the Premier League for the first time in their history. Liverpool fans must be thinking that this is a season of destiny at this point, as the game-winning goal turned out to be an own goal off of a bewildered Toby Alderweireld. Liverpool are hoping for a much cleaner result when they face Southampton this week.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, England at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, April 5, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
EPL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Southampton +657
Liverpool -249
Draw +367
Over/Under 2.5 and 3
Odds Analysis
Southampton were battling Cardiff City to avoid relegation, but it looks as if the Saints are in a relatively safe position now. They are five points up on the Bluebirds now, and they are level on points with both Brighton and Burnley. Southampton have been in great form over the last month. They knocked off Fulham 2-0 in late February, and they nearly secured a draw on the road against Manchester United. The Saints stunned Tottenham 2-1 before the international break and went on the road to blank Brighton 1-0 on Saturday.
Liverpool have finally received a reprieve in international play. After getting locked into the Group of Death against Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain in the Group Stage and drawn against Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16, they will meet Porto in the quarterfinals next week. Porto are not as strong as other teams still in the competition, so Liverpool can continue to fully concentrate on the Premier League. They have won three in a row since their draw with Everton.
The first meeting between these two clubs was turned into a laugher rather quickly. A Wesley Hoedt own goal put Liverpool ahead and Joel Matip and Mo Salah both tacked on goals before the break. Liverpool took their foot off the gas pedal in the second half to cruise to a 3-0 win.
Key Injuries
Michael Obafemi has been ruled out for the rest of the season for Southampton, and Jannik Vestergaard has been declared out for this match due to a groin injury. Shane Long is considered questionable and didn’t feature against Brighton last week.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Joe Gomez are both doubtful to play in this match on the side of Liverpool. Oxlade-Chamberlain is trying to return to the pitch after missing the entire year, and he is close. Virgil van Dijk is listed as probable with an ankle injury.
Player to Watch
James Ward-Prowse has been unleashed under new Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. Under former manager Mark Hughes, he only started three games, but he has been given a chance to shine under Hasenhuttl. Ward-Prowse has scored in six of the Saints’ last ten matches, and he has paired with Yan Valery very well. He has Southampton looking much better on offense than they did earlier in the season.
Prop Bet – Liverpool Clean Sheet No -140
The Saints have been keen to go forward and score (just ask Tottenham), and they will have some opportunities against a Liverpool back line that has had some holes in it. Liverpool has allowed a goal in each of its last four matches, and the only reliable member in the back line (Virgil van Dijk) is banged up.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
I like Liverpool to get the three points, but it hasn’t been easy for the Reds to win on the road this season. They only beat Fulham 2-1, and they have not won a Premier League game by multiple goals since December.
English Premier League Odds: Liverpool 2, Southampton 1
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