Watford vs Liverpool: Baptism of fire for Ranieri
Premier League relegation odds, football

Watford vs Liverpool: Baptism of fire for Ranieri

Kick-off: 1230, 16/10/2021

Stadium: Vicarage Road

TV: BT Sport

New Watford boss Claudio Ranieri faces a baptism of fire when Liverpool visit Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Saturday.

The free-scoring Reds will be looking to go top of the table, even if only briefly, and are hard to oppose on this season’s early form.

We’re snapping up 5/6 for an away win and over 2.5 goals in the game for our first Watford vs Liverpool prediction.

A Look At Watford’s Betting Odds

Watford’s return to the top flight seemed to be going relatively well following wins over Aston Villa and Norwich in the first five rounds of fixtures.

However, Xisco Munoz was harshly shown the door after only drawing at home to Newcastle and then losing 1-0 away to Leeds and their Premier League relegation odds have been trimmed.

Ranieri inherits a club 15th in the table with seven points and the former Leicester and Chelsea manager knows he will have to hit the ground running.

“I want a team who tries to score goals,” he told the club website. “We have very good players up front, very fast. I want to close the space a little more and help the defensive line.

“A lot of players came in, a new manager, and we need a little time, but I know in the Premier League there isn’t time. For this reason, we have to work hard and fast.”

The Hornets famously thumped Liverpool 3-0 when they met here a couple of seasons ago but it may be asking too much to replicate that success.

A consolation goal is achievable, though, so 7/4 for an away win and both teams to score appeals from the Watford vs Liverpool odds.

Last Watford line-up: Foster, Rose, Troost-Ekong, Kiko, Sierralta, Tufan, Sissoko, Kucka, King, Sarr, Dennis.

Watford will assess striker Josh King’s knee injury. Francisco Sierralta and Christian Kabasele (both hamstring) have not yet returned to training while Nicolas Nkoulou and Peter Etebo are sidelined.

A Look At Liverpool’s Betting Odds

Liverpool went into the international break just one point behind leaders Chelsea following a thrilling 2-2 draw with Manchester City at Anfield.

The Reds led twice through Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, but were pegged back by Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne strikes.

“We really wanted to win this one but we’re still in the game,” Salah wrote on social media. “We’re going for the title and we have what it takes.”

The Egypt international scored an individual wonder goal against City, making it the seventh successive match in which he had found the net.

He shows no signs of slowing down after scoring 134 in 212 Liverpool appearances and has a great record versus the Watford.

Salah has netted nine times in six meetings with the Hornets, including four in one match.

Let’s add 9/4 for the red-hot winger to open the scoring for his team to our Watford vs Liverpool betting tips, plus 19/2 for a 3-1 away win.

Last Liverpool line-up: Alisson, Van Dijk, Robertson, Matip, Fabinho, Milner, Henderson, Jones, Mane, Salah, Jota.

Liverpool will be without goalkeeper Alisson Becker and midfielder Fabinho as the pair have flown directly to Spain for next week’s Champions League match to avoid UK quarantine restrictions.

Curtis Jones will also miss out having returned from England Under-21s duty with an injury. Thiago Alcantara (calf) is still unavailable but Trent Alexander-Arnold will return.

Additional stats

Last result:

Leeds 1-0 WATFORD

LIVERPOOL 2-2 Man City – Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah

Head-to-head: Watford 3-0 Liverpool, Liverpool 2-0 Watford, Liverpool 5-0 Watford, Watford 0-3 Liverpool

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