Liverpool VS Wolverhampton Wanderers Match Prediction
2019-05-12
14:00:00
Liverpool
VS
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Our Prediction Tip
Liverpool will win this match.
2019-05-1214:00:00 Liverpool will win this match.
Wolves and Liverpool have already met twice this season. In the league, Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk scored to earn the Reds a 2-0 win at Molineux. Wolves won in the FA Cup a couple of weeks later, however, when Raul Jimenez and Ruben Neves scored either side of Divock Origi’s equaliser. It was the second time Wolves had beaten Liverpool in the FA Cup in the last three years, with Origi also scoring when Wolves won 2-1 at Anfield in 2017. In total, Liverpool have beaten Wolves 50 times and there have been 17 draws, with Wolves claiming 36 victories.
Liverpool go into this final match of the season as underdogs, knowing they can only beat Wolves and hope for a favourable result at Brighton.
But it means the Reds can play without pressure, particularly on the back of their 4-0 win against Barcelona that earned them a second consecutive Champions League final too.
Wolves have beaten Liverpool already this season, but it was a weakened Reds team in the FA Cup and, with seventh place secure, the visitors have less riding on this match than they might have done.
With Ruben Neves, Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota all enjoying fine seasons, they are still a dangerous opposition – and have caused problems for all of the big teams this season – but, at Anfield, they are very much underdogs.
In the league fixture between the two at Anfield, Liverpool did not have to be at their best to record a 2-0 win and they will hope to at least win this match to ensure City must beat Brighton if Pep Guardiola’s side are to win the title.
A win may still not be enough for Liverpool in the title race, but it would at least crown a remarkable league season and keep the momentum up ahead of the Champions League final in a couple of weeks’ time.
Liverpool are 1/3 favourites to beat Wolves at Anfield, with Bet365, Ladbrokes, Betfair and Betway all offering that price on the hosts.
Playing without pressure – as they know their title destiny is out of their hands – an early goal would further settle any nerves and the Reds are 1/3 to score first with Ladbrokes.
Wolves have caused problems for the big teams this season, however, and both teams to score has been set at evens with Betway.
Liverpool to win and BTTS is 2/1 with Betway, after their 3-2 win against Newcastle in their last match.
At the other end, fit-again Mo Salah can seal the golden boot and he is 11/10 with Betway to score at any time. Sadio Mane is 23/20, also with Betway.
Wolves have been excellent this season and caused problems for all of the big teams but, with home advantage, Liverpool will expect to sign off their league campaign with a win – whether it proves enough to win the title or not.
Top scorer Mohamed Salah could return for Liverpool – he faces a late test after missing the mid-week match with Barcelona due to concussion, but Jurgen Klopp confirmed the Egyptian is feeling better. Roberto Firmino also missed the Barcelona game and match-winner Divock Origi was taken off injured, while Naby Keita will definitely miss the rest of the season with an adductor muscle injury. Andrew Robertson was also taken off at half-time against Barcelona due to injury.
Mo Salah – After his Champions League final injury heartbreak last season, the Egyptian – who has 22 goals in the league this season and leads the race for the Golden Boot – will hope for a happier ending this time out.
Sadio Mane – Excellent all season, the Senegalese winger has popped up with some hugely important goals on his way to 24 in all competitions.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Continued a brilliant season with the quick-thinking assist for Divock Origi’s winner against Barcelona – his 14th assist of the season.
Since the draw with Everton that handed Manchester City the title initiative, Liverpool have won 12 of their next 13 matches in all competitions. The one defeat – the 3-0 loss away to Barcelona – was ultimately cancelled out by Tuesday night’s 4-0 home win too, as Divock Origi and Gini Wijnaldum both scored twice in a stunning comeback. In between, Origi’s late winner at Newcastle earned a 3-2 win to ensure the title race has gone down to the final game. Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah were Liverpool’s other goalscorers.
Wolves have no injury worries ahead of the final game of the season and could be at full strength for the trip to Anfield, sticking with a starting XI that has changed very little all season. Will Norris, Max Kilman and Ruben Vinagre were given late substitute appearances against Fulham last weekend, while Morgan Gibbs-White is another hoping to step off the bench. Wolves, with seventh-place secure, may be tempted to give some a run-out at Anfield.
Raul Jimenez – The Mexican striker has scored 17 times so far this season and contributed eight assists to tempt Wolves to make his loan move permanent with a club-record transfer.
Ruben Neves – Scored the winner in the FA Cup match between these two teams and there were some who felt the 22-year-old deserves greater recognition for his performances this season.
Matt Doherty – His assist for Leander Dendoncker’s winner last weekend was his tenth of the season, while he also has eight goals.
Wolves have won their last three matches in a row to seal seventh place in the Premier League. If Manchester City win the FA Cup, that will mean Europa League football next season. Ruben Neves, Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota scored in the 3-1 win at home to Arsenal, before Raul Jimenez and Jota again netted in a 2-1 win at Wolves. Last weekend, Leander Dendoncker scored the only goal of a 1-0 win at home to Fulham.
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