* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Paddy Power’s football ambassador Phil Thompson has put his wits against the might of our football trading floor once again to try and eke out the best bets about on Saturday in the Premier League. Here it’s Thommo’s favourite subject in the whole world under the microscope – Liverpool FC.
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This weekend Thommo’s beloved Liverpool head to Watford to take on the Tinkerman Claudio Ranieri in his new job as Hornets manager. Will Ranieri make it to the end of the game before getting the axe or can Watford cause a shock? Let’s see what Thommo and our football trader Emmet O’Keeffe think.
Saturday 12.30pm: Watford v Liverpool
TV: BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate
THOMMO: I’ve always had a soft spot for Claudio Ranieri and not just because he won the title with Leicester. I remember when I was still assistant manager at Liverpool with Gerard Houllier, God bless him, and Claudio was Chelsea manager. We had our ups and downs on the touchline but he was a wonderful guy.
It’s nice to see him back. Watford are doing alright but the thing with Watford is, they haven’t kept a clean sheet in 17 Premier League games. Do you know when their last clean sheet in the top flight was? I know they were out of the Premier League last season, but it was the 3-0 victory against Liverpool back in 2020.
They do have a soft spot in the defence. Listen, this Liverpool team are unbeaten in 10 in all competitions. They are the only remaining unbeaten side in the Premier League… this is going to be a Win for Liverpool To Nil.
I think Sadio Mane will Score First. He is starting to get that goal-scoring feeling back. I just think if Liverpool get through the first 15 minutes they’ll have that new manager bounce out of the way and I see Liverpool comfortable winners.
EMMET: I definitely think Liverpool are the most likely winners here but I’d be just a little hesitant to back them at the price, mainly just because we know how important Fabinho and Alisson are to this team and both will be absent.
You’re also wondering if there’ll be a little bit of a new-manager bounce at Watford as well and I think we’ve seen in that game you referred to, the 3-0, how many problems Ismaila Sarr caused Liverpool and I would respect his threat on the counter-attack.
Most likely I think it will be 2-1 or 3-1 to Liverpool but the bet I like a bit more is Sadio Mane to Have 2 or More Shots on Target. Mane’s in the top five in terms of shots on target per game and with Diogo Jota likely absent I think we’ll see him and Mo Salah take more shots with Roberto Firmino a bit less likely to do so.
Watford v Liverpool tips
Thommo: Liverpool to Win to Nil, Sadio Mane to Score First
Emmet: Sadio Mane to Have 2 or More Shots on Target
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Saturday’s Selections
- THOMMO’S TURBO TREBLE: 11/2 Power Price for today’s 3pm Prem games
- BEST BETS: Thommo & trader’s Leicester v Man Utd punts
- BET BUILDER: Chelsea to beat Brentford in this 25/1 flutter
- ACCA: Our tasty 32/1 5-fold for Saturday’s biggest games
- THOMMO: 4 Brentford v Chelsea best bets
- BTTS ACCA: Tap in our 20/1 3pm Premier League acca
- BET BUILDER: Mane the man in 30/1 Watford v Liverpool play
- ACCA: Hit the net with our 14/1 goal scorer gamble on Saturday
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