Fulham vs Liverpool: Reds fancied to make a winning start to their Premier League season

Liverpool will kick off their season against the Championship champions for the fourth year in a row. This time they travel to Craven Cottage to face newly-promoted Fulham.

Jurgen Klopp’s side served notice of their intentions this season with a commanding 3-1 success over Manchester City in last weekend’s Community Shield. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s curling opener and Darwin Nunez’s late header proved the highlights from an intense friendly fixture.

Championship winners Fulham are 12.5 to cause an opening weekend upset, with Liverpool strong 1.31 favourites. A draw can be backed at 6.2.

Better than Championship material

Fulham were a class apart in the Championship last season, with their two-point winning margin doing little justice to their domination in the division. Instead, the goals-for column of the table showcases their authority as they netted an astonishing 106 times, 32 goals more than second-placed Bournemouth.

The Cottagers’ star man was Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored a whopping 43 times. One of the big questions hanging over Fulham’s performance for the season ahead is whether the 27-year-old Serb can remain even remotely as prolific. With 24 goals in more than 100 previous Premier League outings, the evidence suggests he will do well to reach double figures, which would spell problems for his side.

Indeed, Fulham have not yet strengthened as extravagantly as they did when they last won promotion to the top flight. They have been picky with their arrivals, with defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha rating their most notable signing from Sporting CP. Other key signings include experienced keeper Bernd Leno, who they acquired for a minimal fee from Arsenal earlier this week.

In at the deep end

Against Liverpool, Fulham will quickly discover the level they need to be at. Jurgen Klopp’s side has been relentless in the Premier League since January, winning 14 of their last 17 games as they nearly conducted a successful hunt on Manchester City last term.

With the addition of Nunez, it appears that they will be a similar force this time around, despite seeing one of their most influential players in the form of Sadio Mane depart. Indeed, one of the Reds’ big strengths in recent seasons has been how quickly their new players have settled into the side, and this chemistry spells trouble for their hosts.

Over the last three seasons Liverpool have won their opening matches by an aggregate score of 10-4.

Reds to kick off with another win

Look for Liverpool to continue their trend of winning their opening fixture of the season. Last weekend’s win over City was ominous, and backing them with a -1.5 handicap appears to offer strong value. Similarly, Liverpool to win with over 3.5 goals in game is tempting at 2.78 given it would have returned in two of their last three season openers.

Backing both teams to score is also an interesting trade as Liverpool conceded in five of their last seven games last term. Fulham’s obvious offensive capability, plus the fact they will be roared on by a boisterous home crowd, suggests they won’t roll over for the reds.

Recommended bets

Back Liverpool -1.5 on the asian handicap @ 1.82
Back Both teams to score? Yes @ 1.94