Cup clashes have Bournemouth braced for Liverpool test
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In the calendar year of 2014, Bournemouth twice played Liverpool in domestic cup competitions and lost by two-goal margins.
Given the much-improved recruitment embarked upon by the Anfield hierarchy and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, Coral’s enhanced matchday special of 4/1 for the Merseyside outfit to win by three or more goals on Monday Night Football is thus one to consider. A maximum stake of £20 can be placed on this bet, but that means there is still up to a £100 return and £80 profit in the offing.
Eddie Howe will have to make history if his Cherries are to upset Liverpool and record the south coast club’s first-ever victory over these English football heavyweights. Bournemouth are a big price, though, at 15/2 to win, but do have those recent cup clashes as experience to draw upon.
Speaking of draws, that is the best the Cherries have managed in history to date, but both came at home. If punters fancy them to take a share of the spoils at Anfield, more than possible considering the shaky nature of Rodgers’ defence last term, take a tasty 10/3 price.
As the Reds are naturally strong odds-on 4/9 favourites for three points, there’s much better value on offer in the matchday specials. There’s the one quoted above if you fancy Bournemouth to take a pounding, but also a safer option in the 5/2 on offer for a Liverpool win and both teams scoring.
Sticking with Rodgers’ side, big Belgian striker Christian Benteke is set to make his Anfield bow, and is a fabulously enhanced 5/1 (from 3/1) to net two or more.
Philippe Coutinho, the mercurial Brazilian talent who was the Reds’ match-winner at Stoke City last time out, is 7/4 to come up with another goal anytime. Compatriot Roberto Firmino, meanwhile, may continue from the bench and holds 4/1 odds to score last.
Serbia winger Lazar Markovic was on target when Liverpool last battled Bournemouth, but is unlikely to start. He is 4/1 to strike again anytime, but behind Jordan Ibe in the pecking order, who is shorter in that market at 10/3.
Danny Ings could make his Reds debut against his former club, and scored twice in as many appearances when previously paired with the Cherries on Burnley’s books. The ex-England Under-21 international features in a 2/1 wincast.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has some big decisions to make about integrating new signings into his side. Ivory Coast winger Max Gradel, prolific for St-Etienne in Ligue 1 last term, will be pushing for a start and full debut after his big money move. Odds of 6/1 say he will scores at Anfield anytime.
Cherries top scorer from their Championship title winning campaign, Callum Wilson is available at an enhanced 4/1 (from 11/4) to break his Premier League duck at the second attempt.
Tyrone Mings and Lee Tomlin (5/1 anytime) could make their top-flight bows, if Howe wants to make changes in defence or advanced midfield areas.
Coral’s top tip: Nothing but a home win looks on the cards for Liverpool, but we fancy Bournemouth to score, so take the enhanced 5/2 matchday special on that.
