Liverpool vs Bournemouth
Back a goal-heavy opener in the English top flight
The opening Premier League match of the season gets underway at Anfield on Friday, with visitors Bournemouth making the long journey north to take on last season’s champions.
Arne Slot has reshaped his squad this summer with Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz heading out of the door, and Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez all arriving in Merseyside. The latter will be lining up against his former employers and will be keen to make an impression.
Liverpool lost on penalties in the Community Shield at the weekend, with two of the recruits getting themselves on the scoresheet. The Reds will have benefited from that semi-competitive affair against a fellow Premier League outfit, and they will be looking to get off to a winning start in front of the Kop.
The Reds have a good recent record against the Cherries and ran out 3-0 winners here last season. Bournemouth have failed to score in each of their last three meetings with the Reds, but I suspect that they will find a way to break through on this occasion.
Andoni Iraola’s men have been stripped of their best assets this summer, with Kerkez’s departure just one of several outgoings, including Dean Huijsen and Ilya Zarbarnyi. A new-look defence will be taking to the field on Friday night, and they may need time to gel. Adrien Truffert, Djordje Petkovic and Bafode Diakite are all set to make their PL debuts this week, and it appears as though the club’s summer business is far from done.
Opening games can be cagey; however, meetings between these two sides are always explosive and entertaining. This should be yet another cracker.
Jack’s football journey began in the early 2000s at Bloomfield Road, sparking a lifelong passion for the EFL and beyond. With over a decade of writing and tipping experience, he delivers sharp insights and value-driven betting advice across football, darts, tennis, and horse racing.
When he’s not analysing stats, Jack is on commentary duty for Stoke City and occasionally heard at Owlerton Greyhound Stadium. Based in Leeds, he’s as reliable with a brew as he is with a bet.