Liverpool vs Bournemouth Picks, Predictions, Props & Odds (Aug 15)

• Liverpool begins its EPL title defense Friday vs Bournemouth at Anfield

• The Reds are undefeated in their last 12 season–opening matches

• Keep reading for my Liverpool vs Bournemouth picks, predictions and props below, plus the best odds for Friday’s matchup

The Premier League season gets underway Friday, as defending champion Liverpool host Bournemouth. The Reds spent north of 200 million Euros upgrading their roster in the offseason, and that new talent will be eager showcase their skill in front of the hometown crowd.

The action is set to get underway at 3pm ET at Anfield, in Liverpool, England, with USA Network providing the broadcast coverage.

Liverpool vs Bournemouth Picks and Prediction

• Over 3.5 Goals (-110)

Liverpool’s season started last week, and although they were beaten on penalties by Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, several new players looked excellent in their debuts. Hugo Ekitike is at the top of that list, after scoring once, and nearly converting another.

Ekitike joins prolific striker Mo Salah, adding speed and firepower to an already loaded roster. Florian Wirtz, the most expensive of the offseason signings, gives the Reds even more ammunition from the midfield, and this club is well positioned to lead the Premier League in goals.

Scoring has not been an issue in previous matches with Bournemouth, as Liverpool has converted at least twice in 15 of their last 16 meetings. Also working in favor of a higher-scoring game, is the fact that the Cherries lost key defenders Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez, with the ladder signing in Liverpool.

The Reds open the campaign on top of the EPL title odds, but they’ll need to shore up their defense if they want to run away with the trophy for a second straight season. Liverpool was sloppy in its own end last weekend versus Crystal Palace, giving us hope that Bournemouth can counter at least once in this matchup.

Liverpool vs Bournemouth Results – Last 5 Matches

Even if the Reds do post a clean sheet, they can still easily get this game over the 3.5 goal total. Don’t forget, Liverpool put 9 goals past the Cherries a few seasons ago, and my Liverpool vs Bournemouth predictions is banking on them putting on a show at home after last weekend’s disappointment.

Liverpool vs Bournemouth Prop Bets

• Mohamed Salah Anytime Goal (-120 at DraftKings)
• Hugo Ekitike 1st Goalscorer (+475 at DraftKings)

Online sportsbooks are certainly expecting plenty of goals from the Reds, as six of their players have odds shorter than 2-1 for an anytime goal. My favorite bet of the bunch is Salah, who scored 29 times during last year’s title run.

I’ll also take a sprinkle of Ekitike to score first in my Liverpool vs Bournemouth props. He was the Reds most dangerous threat last weekend, and is a top-seven contender to lead the Premier League in goals this season.

As always, make sure to shop around for the best odds. DraftKings is currently offering Salah as an anytime goal scorer at -120, while other sites have him priced as short as -163 in the same market. Same goes for Ekitike, who’s +475 to strike first at DK, compared to +333 at other books.

Liverpool vs Bournemouth Odds

Odds as of August 14 from Bet365. Join the soccer crowd with the Bet365 bonus code.

As far as our Liverpool vs Bournemouth pick of over 3.5 goals, the best odds are currently being offered by Bet365 at -110. The Reds are -350 moneyline favorites, with the Cherries coming back as +750 underdogs.

Liverpool has beaten Bournemouth in 12 of their last 13 meetings, with their past Premier League matches producing a combined total of 13 goals.