Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool open up the domestic schedule again with a tasty trip to the West Midlands to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday lunchtime.
A win will take the Reds to the top of the table, and that’s what makes this Premier League match between Wolves and Liverpool all the more enticing.
If the Reds to go top, it may not be for long as the current leading two, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, have matches they expect to win in the 3pm kick-offs. But the Merseysiders might get a taste of the summit and that’s something all the title chasers love to have.
With three wins and one draw this season, Klopp’s men are on a sequence of 15 Premier League games without a defeat, the longest unbeaten run in the top-flight, and they are in a much better place than they were this time last season, when they had half the number of points.
The International Break is almost over, and this is a great game to get our teeth into as we return to Europe’s top leagues.
Gary O’Neil’s Wolves have lost three of their first four games, but they will fight tooth and nail to get something from this game; though Liverpool have recently had a boost which might just make them unplayable.
Talking Points
Salah staying is huge for Liverpool
The Premier League, and particularly Liverpool, braced themselves last week as reports in the UK suggested that Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad had tabled an offer of £215 million for Mo Salah on Monday.
In August, reports flew around saying the Egyptian star had agreed a deal with the Saudis but, in the end, the club stood firm and Salah stayed at Anfield.
With 139 goals in 222 appearances for the Reds, Salah has become a legend on Merseyside, and Klopp will be delighted to have his main man in the team to push for silverware this term.
The Reds have already climbed to the position of third favourites to win the league at SBOTOP odds of 8.00 to take the 2024 title.
They are firing on all cylinders in attack. Salah, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz all have two goals each, and Cody Gakpo has been in superb form, scoring twice in two games for the Netherlands, so there is no lack of firepower.
While Klopp has plenty of options up front, he has more to worry about in his defence, where Captain Virgil van Dijk is absent through suspension after he was sent off against Newcastle and then received an extra game ban for remonstrating with the referee.
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate continues to struggle with a hamstring injury, and Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a similar strain during Liverpool’s victory over Aston Villa last week.
Joel Matip will likely play in the middle of defence where there could be a first-ever start for 20-year-old Jarell Quanash who has made appearances from the bench this season.
Cunha is determined to prove himself at Wolves
While their visitors are aiming to win the title, Wolves are looking over their shoulders. These are early days but, at a price of 3.50 to get relegated, O’Neil’s side is in a clutch of teams searching for some early campaign momentum.
The Premier League 2023 betting odds reckon this will be a tough lunchtime date for the hosts. But one player in particular is hoping to catch the eye for Wolves. January signing Matheus Cunha missed out on Brazil’s World Cup squad in 2022, and he is keen to show what he can do to work his way back into reckoning with the Selecao who he has represented eight times.
Cunha scored 21 goals in 24 games for the Brazil U23 team and now he wants to replicate that form at senior level. At 24 years of age he has time on his side, though Wolves may not.
Cunha was on target in Wolves’ last game, a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace while fellow striker Hee-chan Hwang scored his second goal of the campaign in that loss.
History
Liverpool have won 15 of the 22 meetings with Wolves over the past two decades, losing four and drawing three, but they did suffer a humbling 3-0 defeat at Molineux last season.
In terms of recent form, Wolves have two wins from five, including a 5-0 spanking of Blackpool in the Carabao Cup, while Liverpool have won three of their four league games, drawing their opener with Chelsea.
Betting Tip
Manchester City and Spurs fans will be watching the Premier League 2023 updates hoping that the hosts can spring a surprise. At 5.41 to win, the Wolves have a fighting chance, and a draw at 4.55 is within reach too. Although, Liverpool’s price of 1.39 tells you where we think this one is going, and we expect the high-flying Reds to make a fast start at Molineux.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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