LIVERPOOL’s last game was 14 days ago when they stumbled to a 0-0 draw against FC Utrecht in the Europa League, but they should be able to return to winning ways against Wolves in the television game tonight.
The Reds certainly have not turned any corners in another disappointing season under their new manager Roy Hodgson, as highlighted by their 3-1 defeat at Newcastle in their last Premier League contest. However, their home form has been far better than their efforts on the road. Since a shocking home defeat to Blackpool at the start of November, the Reds have taken 12 points from a possible 12 at Anfield. They defeated Blackburn 2-1, Chelsea 2-0, West Ham 3-0 and Aston Villa 3-0. Even that victory over Chelsea does not now seem quite so impressive given the Blues poor run of recent form, but their opponents tonight would struggle to rank as more difficult than any of the opponents mentioned above. Indeed, Wolves have now slipped two-points adrift at the bottom of the table after an abject home defeat to Wigan last time out.
Liverpool will also be buoyed by the return of Steven Gerrard to action tonight, and given the extended break that Liverpool have ‘enjoyed’, Torres and Agger are also likely to be available and ready.
As mentioned above, Wolves’ 2-1 defeat at home to Wigan has left the club at the bottom of the table as the year heads to a close. While they had won two consecutive home games prior to that loss, their away form has been nothing at all to write home about. They lost 3-0 at Blackburn in their away match, a result preceded by a 2-1 loss at Blackpool, a 2-1 loss at Manchester United (albeit via a stoppage time goal), a 2-0 loss at Chelsea, a 2-0 loss at Wigan, a 3-1 loss at Tottenham and a 2-1 loss at Fulham. Indeed, their only away point this season came in their first away game of the season, when they drew 1-1 at Everton. Although Wolves have picked up no new injuries, they are still without Kevin Doyle and Jody Craddock to name just two. Given the way Mick McCarthy priorities his games, it will no surprise to see some players given an extra break in this busy run of games, with Wolves heading to play a crucial game at Upon Park against West Ham on New Year’s Day.
Liverpool have been a team rarely worth backing at short-odds, but they are value tonight for a couple of wagers. 1/3 as a price may reflect the Reds shortcomings this season, but most of their worst efforts have come on the road, and the oddsmakers may have slightly underestimated their turnaround in fortunes at home (their 0-0 draw v Utrecht is best forgotten given the side played by Hodgson in a meaningless game). Further, given Wolves’ poor road form, their injuries, their dire performance against Wigan and their key clash upcoming at West Ham, this is a game that could end up getting away from them against a fit and rested Liverpool side who are looking to prove their worth in every match. Therefore, trusting the hosts to score some goals would not be the worst thing to do for a change.
SUGGESTION:
Liverpool WIN (1/3 @ various)
Liverpool -1 HANDICAP (10/11 @ Paddy Power)
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