Liverpool (19 wins, 2 losses, 6 draws) visits Falmer Stadium Saturday to take on Brighton (7-8-12). Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. ET. Below, we preview the Brighton vs. Liverpool odds and lines, and make our best EPL bets, picks and predictions.
Liverpool is coming into this matchup following a midweek Champions League loss to Inter. However, Liverpool advanced 2-1 on aggregate despite losing 1-0. As for its last EPL showing, it beat West Ham 1-0 and has won 7 straight.
Liverpool sits in second place, 6 points behind Manchester City, and has 71 goals on the season, the most in the EPL. It has allowed the third-fewest goals as well at just 20.
Brighton, which started off the season surprisingly strong, has lost 4 in a row yet has still given up just 32 goals in 27 matches, tied for sixth-fewest in league play. It has scored just 26 goals though.
Brighton and Liverpool tied 2-2 last time they met, back in October. Brighton also has 2 draws in its two matches against third-place Chelsea this season.
Brighton vs. Liverpool: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:39 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Brighton +550 (bet $100 to win $550) | Liverpool -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Draw +360
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -140 | U: +115)
[tipico]
Prediction
Liverpool 2, Brighton 0
Money line (ML)
PASS.
I like Liverpool to win, especially given the form of both teams, and the Reds do have 8 wins in 13 road matches this season. However, having drawn Brighton earlier this season, a -210 money line is a bit too pricey.
I do like BOTH TEAMS NOT TO SCORE at -117.
Brighton has scored just 2 goals in its last four home games. Against a top-tier defense like Liverpool, that trend is worrisome. Brighton averages under a goal per game and is taking on a terrific Liverpool defense.
Brighton has been held scoreless 9 times this season, while it has held its opponent scoreless 9 times (7 times in EPL action and 2 times in the EFL Cup).
It also has a competent defense that could have a good showing against what should be a tired Liverpool side.
Over/Under (O/U)
LEAN to the UNDER 2.5 (+115).
Liverpool’s offense has been dynamic this season, but F Roberto Firmino is doubtful per whoscored.com. M Thiago and star D Virgil van Dijk are both also listed as doubtful.
Those 3 have contributed 8 goals for Liverpool this season.
Liverpool has gone Under 2.5 goals in 3 of its last 5 EPL games, having only topped that in a 3-1 victory over Norwich and a 6-0 win over Leeds. Brighton’s defense is far better than either of those bottom-tier opponents.
Brighton has gone Under 2.5 goals in 6 of its last 8 EPL games as well. At plus-money value, it’s the best bet in this game.
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