By Matthew Jackson – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28352922
The scoreline did not reflect Bournemouth’s efforts at the Emirates on Sunday as they gave Arsenal a run for their money. They took the game to the Gunners and we can expect more of the same at home against a potentially depleted Liverpool side. They also have the bonus of Jack Wilshere returning to the starting XI and he’ll be determined to help out his parent club.
Liverpool’s victory over Sunderland, their eighth in an 11 match unbeaten run, came at a cost as Philippe Coutinho was stretchered off and is out until mid-January. This will be a real test of the Reds’ title credentials as they’ll miss his five goals and six assists this term. Since the Brazilian’s arrival, Liverpool’s win percentage has been 56% in the 108 games he’s started, compared to 44% in the 34 he’s missed. There’s an argument to be made that they’ve shared the responsibility around, with 11 different scorers this term and assists from 10 separate players, but a lot of their attacking play filters through the little magician.
There are also injury doubts over other key attackers in Adam Lallana, Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino, so it looks a decent time for the Cherries to host Jurgen Klopp’s side. Eddie Howe’s men are a respectable W3-D1-L2 at home this term, whilst they’ve avoided defeat in half of their last eight encounters when welcoming top-six sides to the Vitality Stadium. At odds-against we’ll back them to get something out of the game.
Best Bet: Bournemouth – Draw Double Chance at 2.05
