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The Premier League kicked off with some surprising results yesterday, Manchester United losing to Swansea and Arsenal needing an injury time goal to dispatch Crystal Palace. With the favorites underachieving on Saturday, the question is if Liverpool will share the same fate when they meet Southampton today.
Liverpool went trough a lot of changes in the summer. They sold Suarez and brought in a ton of players with that money. I wouldn`t say they made poor signings (like Tottenham with the Bale money) but they did overspend. However, money is their business, we only care about the strength of the team, and I reckon they look pretty good with the likes of Lovren, Lallana and Can in the starting lineup. Liverpool looked really good in friendlies and the trio of Coutinho, Sturridge and Sterling proved it can carry the offensive loas in Suarez`s absence.
Southampton sold half of its starters in the transfer window (3 of them to Liverpool) plus manager Pochettino and it`s questionable if they are ready for the new season. They just brought in Ronald Koeman as coach, new keeper Fraser Forster arrived only 6 days ago and Southampton is still looking to bring in some new players – the squad and the first 11 are not complete right now.
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Team news & lineups
New signings Markovic and Lallana are out for Liverpool along with Borini, Illori, Flanagan and Agger. Southampton will have to do without one of the only stars remaining from last season (Jay Rodriguez) and without new signing Gardos.
Liverpool: Mignolet – Manquillo, Skrktel, Lovren, Johnson – Gerrard, Henderson, Can – Sterling, Sturridge, Coutinho.
Southampton: Forster – Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand – Schneiderlin, Cork, Ward-Prowse, Davis – Tadic, Pelle.
I actually think that Liverpool will be pumped up by the way the favorites struggled yesterday and will look to make a stand in the first day, opening the season at home. `Pool looks good even without Suarez, they were in great goalscoring form in friendlies and should be able to put a couple of goals over a decimated Southampton defense, led by a keeper who just arrived to the club (not good, even if he`s world class). The Saints have not been able to rebuild the squad in time, the defense is weak, the offense will see two new signings without Premier League experience, so I reckon they won`t be able to stop Liverpool here – especially since the Reds are brilliant at home. Considering `Pool’s ability to cover handicaps I think it`s worth a try today on such a bet, but I will not push the stakes too much because the odds allow a good ROI with 6-7 units, it`s the opening day and I was punished yesterday by Arsenal and Stoke. My tip is Liverpool to cover the -1,5 handicap. Prediction: Liverpool – Southampton 3-1.
Pick: Liverpool -1,5
Odds: 2.18 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 8.26
Event date: 17 August
