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Liverpool lock horns against Sunderland in the Premier League
Liverpool will entertain Sunderland at Anfield in the Premier League on Wednesday. The visitors have won six of their 13 league games, one fewer than the Reds, but they have a one-point lead over them in the standings.
The hosts returned to winning ways after three consecutive defeats on Sunday, with a 2-0 away triumph over West Ham United in the Premier League. After a goalless first half, Alexander Isak broke the deadlock in the 60th minute, scoring his first league goal for the club. Cody Gakpo doubled their lead in stoppage time.
The visitors also registered their first win after three games last week, recording a 3-2 home triumph over Bournemouth. They conceded twice in the first 15 minutes of the game, but goals from Enzo Le Fée, Bertrand Traoré, and Brian Brobbey helped them complete their comeback.
Liverpool vs Sunderland Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have met 170 times in all competitions. The Reds have the lead in the head-to-head record with 79 wins. The Black Cats have 52 wins, and 39 games have ended in draws.
They will meet for the first time since the 2016-17 Premier League campaign. The hosts were unbeaten in the two meetings that season, recording a win and playing a draw.
Sunderland have won two of their six away games in the league this season. Interestingly, they have failed to score in the other four games.
Liverpool are yet to play a draw across all competitions this season.
The hosts are unbeaten in this fixture since 2012.
The visitors have lost just one of their last six games, with that defeat registered on their travels. Interestingly, they have scored at least two goals in four games in that period.
Four of the last six meetings between them have produced under 2.5 goals.
Liverpool vs Sunderland Prediction
The Reds kept their first clean sheet in four games last week and will look to build on that form. Notably, they have lost their last two home games, conceding seven times while scoring just one goal. Nonetheless, they are unbeaten at home since 1984 in this fixture and are strong favorites.
Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong remain unavailable for the Reds due to injuries. Mohamed Salah was an unused substitute against West Ham and will likely be benched again.
The Black Cats have suffered two defeats in all competitions since September, with both registered on their travels. They have failed to score in four of their last six games in this fixture, while conceding two goals apiece in the last three.
Habib Diarra and Aji Alese are expected to be the only two absentees for the visitors.
Considering the Reds' home record in this fixture, we back them to register a win.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland
Liverpool vs Sunderland Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Liverpool to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Both teams to score - Yes
Tip 4: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes