AFC Bournemouth are looking to give their European dreams a shot in the arm when they host Liverpool this Saturday. The Cherries have surpassed expectations to this point of the season, and the goal now is to somehow find a way to qualify for European competition. That is something Bournemouth have been unable to do in their history. Bournemouth are currently in sixth place in the table heading into their bout with Liverpool.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Dean Court in Bournemouth at 7:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, December 8, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
English Premier League Betting at BookMaker.eu
Bournemouth +363
Liverpool -144
Draw +313
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
Liverpool are trying to keep pace with league leaders Manchester City, as the Citizens are 13-2-0 through their first 15 games. Currently, the Reds are five points back, but they have a game in hand as they play bottom of the table Burnley on Wednesday. Liverpool have won three straight matches in Premier League play, and they are still riding a scintillating high following their last-second win over Everton on Sunday. Divock Origi scored one of the weirdest goals you’ll ever see to put Liverpool ahead 1-0 six minutes into extra time, and that has kept them within striking distance of City.
The Cherries made the most of their relatively light schedule through the first three months of the campaign. However, they are right in the middle of one of the toughest stretches that any team will have this year, and their record has suffered because of it. Bournemouth lost four in a row prior to Tuesday, as three of their four opponents were heavyweights Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City. They got a much needed win yesterday though, getting two early goals to knock off Huddersfield Town 2-1.
Key Injuries
Adam Smith and Dan Gosling have both been ruled out by Bournemouth ahead of this match. Smith is recovering from tearing some cartilage in his knee, while Gosling is being tested for a knee injury of his own.
The Reds won’t have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this season, but he is the only definite scratch for this match. Adam Lallana is considered questionable with a muscle injury, while Andrew Robertson is dealing with a thigh issue and is questionable as well. Dominic Solanke is doubtful due to a groin injury, and Sadio Mane is doubtful after suffering a nasty gash on his foot that required stitches.
Matchup to Watch
Liverpool have been the best defensive team in the Premier League this season. Adding Alisson Becker from Roma this offseason gave the Reds the star goalkeeper they had been lacking, and they have relied on him often this year. The club has allowed just five goals through 14 matches, and Liverpool are not playing the wide-open style that defined them last season.
The Cherries are going to test this back line though. Bournemouth have found the back of the net 25 times this season, and Callum Wilson has emerged as a force up front. Wilson is on pace to knock in 20 goals this season.
Prop Bet of the Game – Liverpool 3, Bournemouth 1 Final Score +895
I’m going to call my shot here. The Cherries haven’t been great in the back, and Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino can pick them apart. We haven’t had one of those Mo Salah games in a while, and he is due to smash through. My only concern is Liverpool potentially resting players prior to their clash with Napoli on Tuesday.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
This is going to be a higher scoring game, and I see Bournemouth knocking in a goal with their pressure. It won’t be enough to get a result though, and Liverpool will get the win.
English Premier League Odds: Liverpool 3, AFC Bournemouth 1
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