Stoke v Liverpool: Back Salah streak to continue at bumper price

Stoke 6.40 v Liverpool 1.59; The Draw 4.60
Wednesday, 20:00

Which side of Stoke will turn up?

Stoke's erratic start to the season continued at the weekend when they lost to rock bottom Crystal Palace.

It's hard to predict which Stoke side will turn up from week to week. They have pulled off shocks this season against Arsenal and Manchester United, but have equally dropped points when you'd expect them to win.

A big issue for Mark Hughes is that his team lack a reliable goalscorer, with no Stoke player having scored more than three goals this season. Until that issue is addressed, it will be hard for Stoke to get any kind of run going and a season trying to keep clear of the relegation zone awaits.

Hughes could welcome Geoff Cameron and Glen Johnson back to his squad after a period on the sidelines, but Stephen Ireland is still out with a broken leg.

Salah streak continues

If Stoke are struggling because of their lack of a forward who will score most weeks, you wonder where Liverpool might be without Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian's goal against Chelsea on Saturday was his 15th in just 20 appearances for Liverpool since signing from Roma over the summer. In a game in which the visitors caused Liverpool a lot of problems, Salah nevertheless came close to winning all three points until Willian's deflected equaliser five minutes from time.

Liverpool are certainly in need of Salah's goals given the unpredictability of their defence. We once again saw how brittle Jurgen Klopp's side are at the back, when they surrendered a three goal lead to draw 3-3 with Sevilla last week.

Klopp is not only short of quality in defence, but also options. Emre Can and Dejan Lovren both missed the game against Chelsea with knocks, while Nathaniel Clyne remains out with muscle injury.

Unreliable Liverpool too short

Liverpool are the 1.59 favourites, with the draw at 4.60 and Stoke at 6.40.

That's a short price for Liverpool considering the mixed nature of both teams' results this season. With that in mind, the draw may appeal to some at larger odds than average, but overall it's probably best to avoid the match result markets entirely.

Stats say overs will land

Over 2.5 goals is the favourite at 1.64, with unders at 2.40.

Liverpool's last match may have only seen two goals, but their previous seven outings all featured over 2.5. Stoke have also seen overs in seven of their last eight games.

For slightly bigger odds, Both Teams To Score at 1.71 may appeal at a time when Stoke have scored in seven consecutive matches.

Salah still value despite hot form

You often find that when wide or midfield players become regular scorers, it takes a while for the markets to catch up and accurately reflect this in the available prices.

This is certainly the case for Salah. If a centre forward had his scoring record, then you can guarantee that they'd be priced at odds-on to find the net, but Salah is still a relative bargain at 2.20 to add to his tally.

Salah has scored the first goal in four of the last five games he's played in and can be backed at 5.50 to open the scoring.

Recommended Bet
Back over 2.5 goals at 1.64
Back Salah to score at 2.20