Crystal Palace started their season at home to Arsenal, and it doesn’t get any easier for Patrick Vieira’s side as they head to Anfield for matchday two.
Coming off a 2-0 loss to the Gunners, Palace face a Liverpool team keen to bounce back from its own opening weekend disappointment.
Jurgen Klopp was critical of his players following the draw with Fulham, and Thiago Alcantara suffered a serious injury.
There were positives for the Reds, however, with Darwin Nunez impressing and Mo Salah getting on the scoresheet yet again.
Total Home Goals: Over 2.5
Liverpool scored three times in this fixture last season on their way to a 3-0 victory. That made it three or more goals in three of their last four competitive home matches against Crystal Palace.
The Palace defence wasn’t at its best in the season opener, and despite Klopp’s criticism, Liverpool still registered 1.9 expected goals away to Fulham.
Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah have already struck up chemistry – Liverpool’s attack looks very dangerous and has history on its side with this home goals over.
Anytime Goalscorer: Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha scored 25 Premier League goals over 2020-21 and 2021-22, but backing him as an anytime goalscorer bet is as much about Liverpool’s weakness in defence as it is Zaha’s talent.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will be matched up with the former Manchester United man. Zaha is going to have space when Palace get the ball on the break, and even if Alexander-Arnold is in position, the advantage is clearly with the Palace winger.
Eight of Zaha’s 14 league goals last season came against top-half sides. He remains one of the league’s best players outside the top six — this is a good price on the Ivory Coast international to score anytime.
Total Cards: Over 4.5
Paul Tierney is officiating Monday Night Football. Tierney was eighth in yellows shown per game last season, and of referees to take charge of more than 12 matches, only four gave more fouls per contest.
Also showing five red cards throughout 2021-22, Tierney is generally strict and his tendency to blow up for fouls leads to a lot of cards through accumulation.
There are talented ball carriers on both sides here who will draw plenty of contact. The total cards over is a good wager even at 4/5.
All odds are subject to change