Prediction and odds for the game: Liverpool (11/20) vs Aston Villa (5/1)

We are backing both teams to score at odds of 4/6

When: Saturday, 10th April 2021, Kick-off 15:00

Where: Anfield

On Saturday afternoon, Liverpool host Aston Villa at Anfield, in a game that could be crucial to the home teams chances of Champions League football for next season.

Liverpool

This season has been a rollercoaster one for Liverpool and their fans. A woeful run of form at the beginning of the year saw them not only fall out of the title race, but also out of the Premier League’s top-four. However, things seem to be looking up for Jurgen Klopp’s team after three straight victories in all competitions, including beating Arsenal 3-0 in their last top-flight outing.

That positive mood changed in midweek, as the Reds suffered a 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. The defeat exposed Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses. How Klopp’s team react to that defeat against Villa could dictate whether they play Champions League football next season.

Liverpool are just three points adrift of the Premier League’s top-four in a congested section of the Premier League table. A win would keep them well in the race for those all-important Champions League spots.

The problem for Liverpool is that their recent home form in the Premier League is woeful, as they have lost their last six league games at Anfield. That must change if they are to have any hope of finishing in the top four this season.

Aston Villa

The Villans are enjoying a solid Premier League campaign and could move to within two points of the home team with a win in this clash. Although the team from the Midlands are outsiders for the European spots, they will still believe they have a chance of sealing a top-six position this season.

A poor recent run of form has dean Smith’s team fall off the pace of the teams challenging for the European spots. A 3-1 home win over Fulham last time out in the top-flight ended a four-game winless run for the visitors. They will be hoping that the win is a catalyst for a good run of form until the end of the season.

Villa have been inconsistent on their travels this season in the Premier League. A record of three wins in their last nine away matches in the top-flight illustrates their mixed fortunes away from home.

Conclusion

We believe that the defeat against Real Madrid may just have been a blip for Liverpool and that they are likely to return to winning ways in this clash. However, the home win offers very poor value. Instead, we are going to look at the goals market. We are backing both teams to score and also taking a punt on Villa forward Ollie Watkins to be an anytime goalscorer, as the England international has scored in his last two games for club and country.

Verdict: We are backing both teams to score at odds of 4/6 and/or Ollie Watkins to be an anytime goalscorer at odds of 21/10. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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Can Liverpool bounce back from defeat in Madrid with a victory here?