Wolves v Liverpool: Reds to secure Christmas No.1

Wolves v Liverpool
Friday, 20:00
Live on Sky Sports

Wolves on a roll

Things can change fast in the Premier League. Already this season, Wolves' status has gone from fearless shiny new things, to not all they're cracked up to be, to realistic contenders to finish best of the rest.

Right now, they occupy that seventh spot after three straight wins and particularly relevant to this one is their impressive record against the Big 6. They've beaten Chelsea, drawn with Man City, Man Utd and Arsenal and lost by a single goal to Spurs.

This is a side which likes to punch above its weight.

Leaders off to best ever start

The Reds are top the table with 45 points from 17 games. Oh, and that away record: P9 W7 D2 L0 F19 A5.

And yet in Europe they've lost three out of three on the road, losing 1-0 to Napoli, 2-0 to Red Star and 2-1 to PSG.

That hints at a possible weakness which an in-form side could expose although Jurgen Klopp's side will be full of confidence after the 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday.

The only domestic teams to stop them getting maximum points are Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal so time after time they've been winning matches like this.

It's helped LFC make their best ever start to a season and victory here will ensure they occupy top spot at Christmas.

Reds can outscore hosts

It's obvious that Liverpool were going to be odds-on but the 1.55 does look short.
Wolves are 7.40 while The Draw is 4.50.

At Molinuex, Wolves have won four, drawn two and lost three so it's not been the fortress of last season and two of the victors were Huddersfield and Watford.

This won't be easy for Liverpool and I'm willing to give Wolves a goal - something the men from the Black Country managed against City, United, Arsenal and Spurs (2).

That idea's helped by the Reds having to get by with a less than first choice XI due to injuries even though the main man, Virgil Van Dijk, sometimes seems to snuff out all the danger on his own.

The problem for the hosts is that I can see Liverpool scoring at least two.

The narrative so far is that the Reds haven't been as exciting going forward this season but they've scored seven in their last two away games and also hit three against Man Utd.

With all that in mind, the bet I like in what should be a vibrant Friday night atmosphere is Liverpool to win and both teams to Score at 23/10 (Sportsbook).

It's landed in two of the Merseysiders' last three Premier League games and is a lot more palatable than the 1/2 for the basic away win.

BTTS a pick 'em

If veering between the above bet and a scoring draw, BTTS looks a good way in at 1.95. The bet has been a winner in five of Wolves' last seven games.

I'd also be saying 'Yes' to Over 2.5 goals although 1.78 makes it less appealing than BTTS.

Liverpool have got their scoring boots on a little more of late, with their last three Premier League starts featuring four goals. That brings Over 3.5 Goals into play at 3.25.

Salah and Jimenez make appeal

Mo Salah scored a hat-trick in Liverpool's last away game and, despite all the unfavourable comparisons to last season, is still the joint-top scorer in the Premier League with 10.

In which case the 5/6 for an anytime goal isn't too bad.

Wolves have conceded 11 at home which is more than Leicester, Brighton and Crystal Palace and the same number as Huddersfield.

Looking at the Same Game Multi market, Salah to score in a Liverpool win is 6/4 and that's decent enough.

Raul Jimenez is by far the best Wolves option.

All five of his Premier League goals have come at Molineux and that includes strikes against Spurs and Chelsea along with the opener against Bournemouth last Saturday.

He looks overpriced at 16/5 to find the net so is worth a play.

Opta stat

Wolves are looking to win four consecutive top-flight games for the first time since January 1972.

RECOMMENDED BETS

2pts Liverpool to win and Both teams to Score at 12/5 (Sportsbook)

1pt Raul Jimenez to score anytime at 16/5 (Sportsbook]