predictions-and-tips
Burnley v Liverpool Predictions, Betting Tips and Previews
August 27, 2019
Turf Moor - Premier League
Burnley's strong side to the season has them looking back at their best, and they will need to be to keep out the visiting Liverpool side on Saturday. The Reds dismantled Arsenal at the weekend, and are the only team in the league with a 100% win record at this stage.
Past Meetings
Despite an early goal from Ashley Westwood, Liverpool beat Burnsley when the sides last met, thanks to braces from Roberto Firmino and Said Mane.
Team News
Sean Dyche is unlikely to make many changes from the side that drew at Wolves last week, although will be wary of player fatigue having played against Sunderland mid-week. Burnley may see a rare glimpse of Danny Drinkwater, whilst Steven Defour has resumed training, providing extra options for the manager in midfield.
Jurgen Klopp is also expected to field a similar line-up to last week, although may be tempted to bring some added physicality to the side by introducing James Milner in the place of captain Jordan Henderson.
Burnley v Liverpool Predictions and Previews
Going into match-week four, Liverpool have already established a two point league on top of the table, and showed no signs of a Champions league hang-over against Arsenal last weekend. Klopp has ensured that his players have started the season as strongly as they ended last, and will keen to ensure that they carry this into their match against Burnley this weekend.
However, Sean Dyche will know that it is impossible for the same front-three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah to play to such a high level in every game, and will aim to take advantage of this at Turf Moore. The manager has expressed his distain this season for players over-emphasising tackles, but is not shy from encouraging his to push the boundaries the contact nature of football. This should work to their advantage against Liverpool, who, despite their appearance, will have felt the impact of a long season last year, and the open-exciting game against Arsenal.
It is unlikely that a heavy tackle will discourage the likes of Salah from playing his natural game, with the Egyptian looking as deadly this season as he has done since returning to the UK. Further, Klopp is now able to count on the fitness of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana, both of whom will be keen to make an impression, and having missed the majority of last season, will be fresh to run rings around defenders.
Even so, if Liverpool fail to score early on, and players start to get discouraged, Burnley's defensive resilience could start to wear their opposition down, and, on the opposite end of the pitch, Ashley Barnes has proven that he doesn't need many opportunities to nab a goal.
Recommended Bets
Liverpool to win by 2 goals at 3/1
The Reds are in unstoppable form at the moment, and should be able to open up the Burnley back line.
Mohamed Salah to score first at 3/1
The Egyptian was lethal against Arsenal and will look to continue his form this weekend.