Liverpool looking to avoid 6-1 slaying at Stoke City again

Stoke City and Liverpool battle at the Britannia with new-look teams following positive summer signings, and the hosts are terrific 5/2 chances with Coral for an opening day victory here.

The Reds (6/5) would have had their head in their hands when they heard that their first match of the 2015/16 Premier League season is at the same ground where they were smashed 6-1 at the end of the last.

While that scoreline again in the Potters’ favour is priced at a massive 200/1, you can take terrific odds of 11/4 for the match to produce four or more goals again, as has happened in the last three meetings between the two here.

There is also a Coral match special available. Odds of 5/1 are on offer for customers if Stoke win and there are over 2.5 goals in the match (maximum stake £20).

The Potters have had an all-but perfect pre-season in terms of their players, with the loss of their captain Ryan Shawcross to injury and sale of Steven N’Zonzi to Sevilla being their only negatives.

But Mark Hughes has bolstered his squad with a number of talent, most with a Spanish connection and from La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid in particular.

Attackers Ibrahim Afellay and Moha El Ouriachi have been added to other former Barca players at the club, Bojan Krcic and Marc Muniesa, who recently signed a new four-year deal.

A senior debut might be too soon for Moroccan Moha, but Netherlands international Afellay is an 11/4 shout to net anytime.

Ex-Los Blancos Under-19 skipper Sergio Molina and fellow former Real player Joselu, signed from Hannover, have also come in. The latter is 2/1 in the anytime market.

There is also a chance for Glen Johnson to play against his former club, after he left Liverpool in the summer on a free transfer. He scored the sole goal in a 1-0 win against Stoke at Anfield last term.

But the England full back will have to come up against a new-look Reds attack, that could feature the likes of Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino (both 6/4), Danny Ings and Divock Origi (both 7/4).

Big Belgian Benteke, signed from Aston Villa, meanwhile, is also part of a Coral match special, with odds of 4/1 available for him to be on target and Liverpool win (also max stake £20).

James Milner, though, could turn out to be the bargain buy for Brendan Rodgers, and the former Manchester City star is 7/2 to score anytime.

Others that could make their debuts include Chelsea loanee Marco van Ginkel for the Potters, and Nathaniel Clyne for Liverpool.

However, Rodgers will be without Daniel Sturridge, Joe Allen and Jon Flanagan for the trip, while Hughes could be missing Marko Arnautovic and Marc Wilson, as well as Shawcross.

Betting tip – As the last three meetings between Stoke and Liverpool at the Britannia have produced four or more goals (6-1, 3-5 and 3-1), back that to happen again @ 11/4.