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The Reds have the upper hand in the head-to-head, with eleven wins to Watford's three, from their fifteen encounters in the Premier League era. The Hornets won on their first-ever Premier League visit to Anfield back in 1999 with Tommy Mooney scoring the game’s only goal for Graham Taylor’s side. Since then though, Liverpool have enjoyed total dominance here, winning each of the last seven matches at Anfield in this head to head, in all competitions, scoring a total of 23 goals while conceding just one; a 75th-minute consolation goal in a 6-1 rout.
Therefore, 101 Great Goals' prediction for this match is Liverpool 3 - 0 Watford and is available at odds of 7.5/1.
Alternatively, you can bet on any Liverpool win at 1.12/1 against Watford at home on Saturday.
Or, back any away win for Watford at 26/1 here at Anfield.
You can find odds of 8/1 for any draw between Liverpool and Watford on Saturday.
Bet on Liverpool vs Watford at bet365 by clicking here.
Match preview
Liverpool welcomes Watford to Anfield on Saturday for this Premier League match. The Reds routed Watford 0-5 at Vicarage Road when the teams last faced each other back in October. This leaves Liverpool chasing a league double over Watford while the Hornets will be hoping, at the minimum, to avoid another mauling given how fragile confidence can be not to mention the potential importance of goal difference in a relegation battle.
Watford are now on their third manager since the season kicked off with their propensity for sacking managers becoming a running joke in the Premier League. Xisco only lasted until the start of October before getting the boot after picking up seven points in their opening seven games, an average of 1.0 points per game.
The Claudio Ranieri section of the season was where most of the damage was done, collecting just seven points from 13 games; only Everton picked up fewer points between 4th October and 24th January in the league this season. An average of 0.54 points per game for Ranieri which would be a 20 point season extrapolated over 38 games.
Things have improved since the arrival of Roy Hodgson with eight points from nine games; an average of 0.89 points-per-game which equates to a 34 point season over 38 games. Interestingly, all eight of those points have come on the road with only Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Arsenal all on nine points topping them over this period. Of course, the fact Watford have played six of their eight matches on their travels in that time heavily influenced the data.
Regardless of how they have played in away matches under Hodgson, Watford faces a tough task in trying to get anything out of The Reds at their home fortress, Anfield. Liverpool are the only side undefeated at home this season, scoring in every match and have won each of their last nine league matches here.
Klopp's side are the league’s top scorers with 75 goals; seven more than any other side. They also boast the best defensive home record, conceding just seven times at Anfield this season; three fewer than any other side in their home matches.
The Reds have also hammered Watford by a five-goal margin in three of the last four matches at Anfield in this head to head. All this added together suggests Watford could be on the wrong end of another battering here on Saturday akin to the 0-5 defeat in Watford earlier this season.
Mohamed Salah Goalscorer. - Salah (pictured above) has absolutely terrorised the Watford defence in the past and has nine goals and three assists against them in just seven league games; an average of a goal or assist every 62 minutes on the pitch.
The Egyptian international may even start this match on the bench given his difficult match against Senegal on Tuesday evening. Despite this, he is the 1.44/1 favourite to score on Saturday. Or perhaps 3.4/1 to bag the game’s last goal is good if you are looking for a goalscoring cameo.
Liverpool team news
Trent Alexander-Arnold (pictured above) suffered a hamstring injury before the international break causing him to miss the FA Cup Quarter Final match against Nottingham Forest. He has been rehabbing over the international break but this game will come too soon for him.
Naby Keita also withdrew from international duty with the Guinea squad for the friendlies against South Africa and Zambia due to a knee problem. It appeared to be more a knock than anything else and he is rated as 50/50 to make the bench here pending a late fitness test. James Milner is also a doubt due to a virus.
With Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah both involved in a gruelling Senegal v Egypt doubleheader including extra time and penalties, the pair burned more energy than most over the international break. Therefore, it is possible we see them starting on the bench with three from Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Luis Diaz, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi starting the match.
Watford team news
Ismaila Sarr (pictured above) is ruled out with a thigh problem that has seen him miss Watford’s last three league games. Nicolas Nkoulou is nearing a return from the hamstring problem that has seen him make only three league appearances this season for the club. However, after such a long time out he will need to ease back into the squad and may even make an appearance for the under-23 side to build up some match fitness.
Jeremy Ngakia is expected to be available for selection once again here. He has missed the last three squads due to a minor hamstring strain and will challenge first-choice right-back Kiko Femenía for a starting berth over the remaining months of the season.
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