Liverpool v Aston Villa: Benteke to score second-half consolation
Published:It’s become customary for free-scoring Liverpool to put Premier League games to bed before the break at Anfield this season, though they are always vulnerable to a second-half lapse in concentration.
The next beneficiary of this post-break snooze is likely to be Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke in this televised clash – who has notched three times in as many appearances against Liverpool – though it will not stop the Villans from leaving empty-handed.
Paul Lambert’s side may have recorded a surprise 3-1 win here last season, but that wasn’t against Brendan Rodgers’ current Liverpool team, who’ve become a model of consistency, racking up nine wins from 10 Anfield outings during this campaign; including the last seven on the bounce.
Although it’s a skinny price, the 2/9 on a Reds win is certainly justifiable, though punters who believe Villa can produce another upset can joyfully take 12/1, while 11/2 would payout on Liverpool’s first home draw of the campaign.
Statistically speaking though, the best chance of monetary accumulation is likely to be sought elsewhere, away from the match odds.
As mentioned above, Benteke appears to relish a game against Liverpool so taking the Belgian bulldozer to score anytime at 4/1 is highly appealing.
Added to this, all six Liverpool goals conceded at home in the league, which have all arrived in separate matches, came after the break, so, taking the 3/1 on Aston Villa’s first goal arriving in the second half is tempting.
However, equipped with the top-flight’s runaway top scorer, Luis Suarez, in tandem with Daniel Sturridge, potential punters must back the Reds to notch the obligatory 2-3 goals at 1/1.
While boasting a Premier League average a whisker shy of three goals per game at home this season, the 3-1 scoreline in Liverpool’s favour at 11/1 is the pick of the possible scorelines bunch.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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