Liverpool v Crystal Palace, Monday 8pm, live on Sky Sports
If Liverpool bring the same lack of zip, physicality, desire and pressure to the table in their 2-2 draw with Fulham, then those taking 1/4 with Sky Bet on a home win could suffer some financial discomfort. A team that normally averaged 19.1 shots per game in the Premier League last year and who score an expected goals amount of 2.50 fell well below their usual standards, scoring just 11 shots and an xG of 1.23. They also recorded the lowest distance run by any team last weekend and pipped Fulham by just under 7km – only Aston Villa (7km) and Wolves (8.6km) went further on the opening weekend. Jurgen Klopp will be privately outraged and embarrassed by these numbers. That makes this an absolutely terrible time for Crystal Palace to go to Anfield. A reaction is expected. Despite starting their season with a defeat to Arsenal, there were encouraging signs for Patrick Vieira’s side in their approach, but I’m still not convinced they will score enough goals to seriously break into the top eight this season. The Reds have conceded just four goals in their last 14 Premier League home games and are looking for a fourth straight win without conceding at home to Palace (4/5 with Sky Bet).
