The road has been bumpy for Liverpool early this Premier League season, but the Reds have survived the first few blows and sit unbeaten through the first three matches ahead of hosting Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday.
In each of the first three matches, Liverpool encountered pitfalls, but they have seven points to show for it through tenacity and grit. They've seen a player sent off in two of them, and while Alexis Mac Allister restored his eligibility, Virgil van Dijk will be suspended for this game.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have rebounded well from their opening-day defeat to Newcastle United, winning their next two and clobbering Hibernian in the Europa Conference League playoffs as well. Yet that additional European journey could sap their strength and leave them winded for all-important league play.
The visitors have not beaten Liverpool since the famous 7-2 victory back in 2020, and they have not won at Anfield since 2014, so three points here would be historic for the club.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa match facts Date: Sunday, September 3, 2023 Kickoff Time: 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. BST / 11 p.m. AEST Location: Anfield Stadium (Liverpool, England) Official: Simon Hooper Last meeting: Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa (May 20, 2023 | Premier League) Liverpool vs Aston Villa prediction, odds Moneyline lean: Aston Villa (+333) Handicap lean: Aston Villa +0.5 (+110) Score prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Aston VillaAston Villa thus far have been the epitome of attacking efficiency, doing the most with their opportunities. They have put up the second-most expected goals (7.57 xG) in the English top flight through three league games, despite only 45 shots, which ranks 11th.
They will trouble Liverpool, who still have yet to totally work out the kinks of their new-look squad and will be without the suspended Virgil van Dijk in this game.
Liverpoolwin Draw Aston Villa
win Both teams
to score Y / N Over / Under
3.5 goals LIV
-0.5 AVL
+0.5 BetMGM
(USA) -145 +320 +333 -210 / +145 +105 / -145 -160 +110 Sports
Interaction
(Canada) 1.61 4.38 4.37 1.43 / 2.44 2.00 / 1.76 1.64 2.22 Unibet
(Australia) 1.64 4.50 4.80 1.50 / 2.50 2.10 / 1.73 — — Dafabet
(India) 1.69 4.60 4.60 1.51 / 2.60 2.12 / 1.75 1.65 2.29 Liverpool vs Aston Villa: best bet Pick: Half with most goals — 1H Odds: +200 (BetMGM)
So far this season, these two teams have shown a propensity to come out firing in the first half. Aston Villa, especially, have turned on the jets early, scoring five first-half goals, the most in the Premier League.
Liverpool have scored three before the break, but they have conceded three as well, behind only Burnley's four for the most in the league. Last year, Liverpool were the best second-half team in the EPL, and while the new campaign is young, there's a clear desire for Jurgen Klopp to be playing from the front and not from behind.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa prop bet Pick: Liverpool over 2.5 yellow cards Odds: +114 (BetMGM)Neither of these teams are known for their discipline, but while Aston Villa's odds are inflated seeing as they're playing on the road in a hostile environment, it's Liverpool who are really struggling in this department, and this is a bad matchup for the Reds.
Through three games this season, Liverpool have drawn six yellow cards in addition to their two reds, and their 34 fouls conceded are just six off the league lead.
The real kicker, though, is their opponent. Aston Villa have drawn 10 bookings to their opponents this season, one off the leaders Wolves, and while three games is far too small a sample size, that's simply continuing a larger trend. Last season, Villa drew 508 fouls, the most in the Premier League, and referees showed their opponents 80 yellow cards, fourth-most in the league.
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