High-flying Hornets to be stung by Klopp’s Liverpool
It must have been beyond a Watford fan’s wildest dreams to go into the week before Christmas ahead
of Liverpool in the table.
Remarkably, the Hornets go into Sunday’s match against the Reds one point and two places ahead of their illustrious rivals.
Watford are only four points off the Champions League places.
But for Leicester they would undoubtedly be the story of the season.
Liverpool’s momentum gained after Jurgen Klopp’s appointment has been slowed by a defeat at Newcastle and a draw with West Brom, though confidence at Anfield is still high.
Eye-catching wins at Chelsea and Man City were followed by a 6-1 success at Southampton in the League Cup last month.
They travel to Vicarage Road on Sunday lunchtime to face a side that are looking to win four Premier League games in a row for the first time in their history.
Much of Watford’s success this year has been built on the form of Odion Ighalo.
The Nigerian has 10 league goals this term and has scored in each of the last three. One concern must be a lack of goals from elsewhere. Ighalo has 56% of Watford’s output this term, and Liverpool know that if they can shackle him they’ll go a long way towards stopping the Hornets.
While the hosts have been impressive against teams from the bottom half, the quality of top sides Man United and Arsenal has told in their games at Vicarage Road.
Though Daniel Sturridge is out again, the attacking trio of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana have carried Liverpool this season.
Liverpool are widely available at 21/20 and I think that’s worth backing.
Watford don’t concede many at home, with five clean sheets out of eight, but they don’t score many either.
There have only been 12 goals so far this season at Vicarage Road – the second lowest in the league.
With Ighalo likely to find Liverpool’s defence harder to break down than Aston Villa or Norwich, I would suggest selling total goals at 2.45 with Sporting Index.
Pointers
Liverpool 21/20
(general)
Sell total goals 2.45
(Sporting Index)