Liverpool vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
In-form Liverpool look to continue their excellent run of form when they entertain an Aston Villa side who have lost their last three games in all competitions.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 9th November, 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on tv: UK – TNT Sports / US – Peacock Premium
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Premier League on Peacock
Liverpool Preview: On fire
Liverpool had to battle hard against Brighton last week and they were behind to the Seagulls for the majority of the game, but second-half goals from Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah secured a 2-1 win and saw them go top of the table in light of Man City's defeat to Bournemouth.
The Reds then followed that up with a hugely impressive 4-0 victory over Xabi Alonso's Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, as Arne Slot's men continue to shine on all fronts.
Aston Villa Preview: Downward trend
After an excellent start to the season, Aston Villa have hit something of a sticky patch having lost their last three games in all competitions. Indeed, they haven't lost four in succession during Unai Emery's reign and they will be keen to steady the ship here.
After going ahead at the break, they were blown away in the second half by Tottenham last week, and they subsequently fell to a 1-0 defeat at Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday, Tyrone Mings' lapse in concentration allowing the Belgian side to capitalise from the penalty spot.
Liverpool Team News: Diaz central again?
None of Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa nor Diogo Jota will return to the fold until after the international break, but Ibrahima Konate, who sustained a knock last weekend, is fit after coming through the Champions League tie unscathed.
On Wednesday, Slot experimented with Luis Diaz as a central forward to great effect with the Colombian scoring his first career hat-trick, so he could keep faith with that approach instead of re-instating Darwin Nunez. Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson, meanwhile, will compete for the left-back slot.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Jones, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Diaz, Gakpo
Unavailable: Alisson (Injured), Elliott (Injured), Chiesa (Injured), Jota (Injured)
Questionable:
Aston Villa Team News: Barkley won't make it
Saturday's fixture comes too soon for Ross Barkley and that is also likely to be the case for Matty Cash, but the pair are on schedule to be fit after the international break.
Emery has options should he wish to change things up in light of recent performances, but it would be a surprise if he was to attempt the much talked-about Ollie Watkins - Jhon Duran partnership against such a formidable opponent.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; McGinn, Onana, Tielemans, Ramsey; Rogers; Watkins
Unavailable: Barkley (Injured)
Questionable: Cash (Injured)
Liverpool vs Aston Villa Prediction
Villa have been struggling for cohesion a little of late so it is not a good time for them to be facing arguably the most in-form side in European football right now.
Liverpool's interchangeable frontline has been operating superbly well all season, and it is difficult to imagine this Villa backline, who have kept just one clean sheet in their ten Premier League games this season, containing them. For extra value, consider backing the hosts to be leading at both half-time and full-time.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa Tip: Double Result – Liverpool / Liverpool
