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Round nine of the English Premier League presents a fascinating four-match Saturday programme. The main attraction comes from London, where Brentford welcome Liverpool for a showdown broadcast on TV and the best live streaming apps from 20:00 BST. The Community Stadium will be packed to capacity, with millions more following worldwide.
Brentford hope home advantage is enough to push them past a guest that's painfully low on confidence. The locals started the week in 13th place following two wins in their previous three. Liverpool are currently fourth in the ladder, but have dropped nine points in their last three games. Armchair fans plan for an exciting match, but which team will win?
Flashscore's experienced football betting writer Frank Monkhouse has studied the stats and trends. He highlights the most important results from the head-to-head, dissects the form of both clubs, and picks out the best odds available to online gamblers. The aim here is to help readers beat the bookies and land a profit while enjoying the show.
Brentford v Liverpool tips
Both teams to score @ 4/7 (bet365)
Draw or Liverpool @ 2/11 (bet365)
Virgil van Dijk headed shot on target @ 3/1 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Bees have a sting in their tail
Brentford set up for the visit of Liverpool under the bright lights, with their form showing three wins, one draw and four defeats. They've scored 11 goals, but conceded 12, which is the same as Manchester United, who are four places higher in the pecking order. The Bees have found the net more times than Sunderland, Aston Villa, Everton, and others. That's of interest to us.
Switching to their opponents, we know Liverpool are struggling for reasons to smile this autumn. Arne Slot's team slipped to fourth following defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea in the Big Smoke, before conceding late to Man Utd at Anfield for a third loss on the bounce. Interestingly, Liverpool's last five domestic games ended 2-1. That trend caught our eye.
Given Brentford's decent scoring record and Liverpool's recent form, we open with a bet on both teams to score. You can follow that pick as a single at a fair price, or add it to your weekend accumulators. The match-winner and scorers aren't important here, and neither is the final score. As long as both the Bees and Reds find the net at least once each, you win.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Brentford and Liverpool to score at least one goal each.
Reds to get back on track
Liverpool won the Premier League crown at a canter last season, but appear to have a fight on their hands this term. The champions from Anfield started well enough, but hit a sticky patch, and their year could unravel quickly. Everyone in the away dressing room knows they must steady the ship and get back to winning ways as soon as possible. Saturday looks ideal.
Since winning the Merseyside Derby and beating Southampton in the League Cup, the visitors have suffered narrow defeats to Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League before losing to the Eagles, Blues and Red Devils in the Premier League. They did score an overdue win in midweek when hammering former Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in Germany.
Will Wednesday's emphatic win inject some much-needed belief back into the Liverpool ranks? Supporters certainly hope so. There may be a few tired legs in the camp, hence the double chance bet, but Liverpool beat Brentford by at least two clear goals in each of their previous four meetings, a run stretching back to November 2023. Back Liverpool on the double chance.
Tip: Liverpool or draw @ 2/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If the match ends in a Liverpool win or a draw, you get the rewards.
The captain will deliver
Our third and final Brentford v Liverpool bet worth a look comes from the Bet Boosts available on the bet365 app. Traders have increased the odds on Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk to have at least one header on target in the match. The odds opened at 11/4 but are now sitting at 3/1, and I make that a bet too good to ignore. Fancy taking a chance?
With the van Dijk special, it doesn't matter if the big defender scores or even if his team wins. The game could end in a drab 0-0 draw, and it wouldn't matter to you. As long as van Dijk has at least one header on target during the play, you'll secure a handsome 3/1. Backers know the Dutchman will need no invitation to get himself in the box at corners and set pieces.
Still not convinced? Virgil has scored two goals in his previous three games, netting for his country in a 4-0 home win over Finland in a World Cup qualifier. He was also on target in midweek when the Reds hammered Frankfurt. The powerful 34-year-old smashed home a header from a corner on 39 minutes to give his team a 2-1 lead. Let's see more of the same.
Tip: Virgil van Dijk to have one header on target @ 3/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: It doesn't matter if he scores; all you need is van Dijk to put a header on target during Saturday's match.
Brentford v Liverpool odds
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.