Southampton fans can look forward to seeing two of the most-vital players from last season; but for the opponent. The Match of the Week is between Liverpool and Southampton.
Premier League 1. Round
Anfield Road
17-08-2014 @ 13.40 BST
How are the two teams current form?
Liverpool humiliated Dortmund yesterday with a 4-0 win and have won four of their last five pre-season matches. The Merseyside club looks in great form and is more than ready for Southampton on Sunday.
The Saints have also won four of their last five pre-season matches, but against less prestigious sides. That said, it seems as Southampton will survive without the quartet now playing for Liverpool.
The last ten matches between the two sides have ended in five wins for each club, with Liverpool winning the latest in March 3-0.
What are the probable line-ups?
Adam Lallana will not play against his former club as he is out with a knee injury and is reportedly out for around six weeks. Furthermore, Daniel Agger, Fabian Borini, John Flanagan, Tiago Ilori and Lazar Markovic are all rated doubtful.
Southampton are without Jay Rodriguez who is out with a knee injury.
Mignolet
Johnson - Skrtel - Lovren - Manquillo
Gerrard
Henderson - Can
Coutinho
Sturridge - Sterling
___________________________________________
Tadic - Pellé - Ramirez
Davis - Wanyama - Taïder
Bertrand - Yoshida - Fonte - Clyne
Boruc
Worth keeping an eye on
Liverpool: Dejan Lovren faced his former club in his first official match for Liverpool. The Croatian central defender will have to prove that he can take a step up playing for one of the biggest teams in England, and he has already scored a few goals in the new shirt. Can he punish his former club?
Southampton: Jose Fonte is the new general in Southampton and the Portugues will have his first real test without his former teammate Lovren next to him. Can he control the Saints?
What to expect from this match?
Liverpool played a fine last season but missed the Premier League trophy in the end. This year they will hope to take it, but now they are missing Suarez. Sterling and Sturridge will have to fill the gap, and it will be interesting to see if the two strikers can break the strong Southampton defense. The Saints was the big surprise last season but like Liverpool they have lost some of the greatest profiles. Tadic, Pellé and Ramirez will carry the attack forward instead of Lallana and Davies, but will get their hands full against Liverpool. I expect Liverpool to win this match.
What are the odds?
Matchbook offers odds 4/11 for a Liverpool victory and 21/5 for a draw. A Southampton win gives a stunning 10 at BETVICTOR.
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