A busy week lies ahead in the English Premier League, starting with Monday’s crucial encounter between Aston Villa and Liverpool where a positive result for the hosts will make them firm favourites to qualify for the Champions League next season.
Manchester City are resounding favourites for this season’s EPL title, having shortened to 7/20 with Arsenal the only team that can stop them winning another title priced at 9/4 and Liverpool falling out of the title race altogether.
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ASTON VILLA v LIVERPOOL– Click here to bet
Aston Villa will take on Liverpool Monday evening at Villa Park, knowing that securing maximum points will guarantee their place in next season’s Champions League, regardless of what Spurs achieve in their remaining games. This achievement is massive, as it would mark the first time the ‘Villains’ will return to the upper echelon of European football since their glory days back when it was still known as the European Cup. Currently 4th on the table, Villa have shown mixed form on the domestic front, registering 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in their last 5 league encounters.
With the Europa Conference no longer a distraction, Unai Emery and his team can fully focus on the task at hand. Despite holding a 4-point lead over their nearest rivals, Spurs, they will not want to leave anything to chance. Villa will look to avoid having to go to Selhurst Park on the last day of the season needing something from the game, given how dangerous Crystal Palace look at present. At Villa Park, Aston Villa have put on a superb performance in front of their home fans, registering an impressive 12 wins, 3 draws, and suffering just 3 defeats thus far.
Aston Villa have averaged 2.5 goals per game at home this season, with over 2.5 goals arriving in 77.77% of those encounters (14 out of 18).
Liverpool visit Villa Park this Monday, looking to end their campaign in a more positive manner. The Reds have faded into oblivion in terms of the title race, having accumulated a meagre 8 points from a possible 18 in their last 6 league encounters, something that is unusually uncharacteristic of Jurgen Klopp’s men. Currently 3rd in the table, it appears they will not be sending Klopp off on a winning note in terms of league silverware, with 3rd place being a more realistic position given there are just 2 games remaining.
The Reds have secured their place for next season’s Champions League, and with the Carabao Cup obtained earlier on, there are, however, some positives that can be drawn from this campaign. Away from home, Liverpool boast the 3rd best record in the league, having obtained 9 wins, 6 draws, and succumbed to 3 losses to date. The Reds will be hoping the month of May brings about better fortune on the road, having obtained 5 points from 4 league encounters in April during their travels.
Liverpool have averaged 1.88 goals per game away from home this season, with over 2.5 goals arriving in 61.1% of those encounters (11 out of 18).
Head-to-Head
Liverpool won the reverse fixture 3-0 earlier this season with Liverpool walking away 3-1 winners in this fixture last season.
Betting
Aston Villa 29/10
Draw 7/2
Liverpool 15/20
Verdict
There is no doubt that the hosts have a bigger incentive going into this game and will want to capitalize on the visitors’ lacklustre performances in recent times. There will be concerns that the Reds have had Aston Villa’s measure for quite some time now, but with very little to play for apart from saving face, slight preference is for the hosts to get something out of this game.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Aston Villa +0.5 at 11/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
