Liverpool have enjoyed a patchy season all round, but Brighton have made it particularly difficult for the Reds this term. At the start of October, the teams drew 3-3 at Anfield before the Seagulls secured a 3-0 home win over Jurgen Klopp’s side earlier this month.
Brighton and Liverpool now meet for a third time this term in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie (8.30am ET; 1.30pm GMT). Will the Reds achieve revenge, or will the South Coast club continue the Merseyside misery?
There are odds against figures on all three possible outcomes, but Liverpool will go into this tie as clear favorites. The away side can be backed at around 29/20, while victory for Brighton comes in at 17/10. The draw goes on to complete the match betting at 17/10.
This preview has seen the head-to-head results, but what does the form guide tell us? That 3-0 win for Brighton came on January 14th and it combines to give the Seagulls ten points from their last six games. Liverpool also have ten points from their last six and are one place below Sunday’s opponents in the form table, due to an inferior goal difference. It all points to a close 90 minutes on the South Coast of England but, before offering a betting predictions and pick verdict for this BHAFC vs LFC preview, let’s look at the players who can decide the destiny of this game.
Any FA Cup tie offers the potential for clubs to rest regular first teamers, but both sides could be close to full strength. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may see the FA Cup as the only realistic chance of silverware while Brighton will fancy their chances, having already taken four points from their opponents this season.
The first goalscorer betting doesn’t try to second guess the starting XIs, so it simply lists the prolific Mohamed Salah as the favorite to find the net first. Salah starts at a general 9/2 while Brighton’s Danny Welbeck slots in next at 11/2. Other, shorter priced options include the Liverpool pair of Darwin Nunez at 6/1 and Cody Gakpo at 7/1 while Brighton are also represented by Alexis Mac Allister at 9/1. Mac Allister takes the spot kicks for the Seagulls and the Argentinian World Cup winner could be a value selection at those odds.
In other side markets, Both Teams to Score can be taken for this game at 8/15 in places. Those that want to consider the ‘no’ option on BTTS can get best industry odds of 13/8, so the bookies clearly think that this will be a productive afternoon for both sides.
The suggestion that this will be an attacking 90 minutes is also reflected in the Total Goals betting where a stake Above the 2.5 goal line will be met with best industry odds from the offshore sportsbooks for Americans of just 8/13. By pushing that up one stage, we can get a top price of 31/20 for Over 3.5 Goals. Anyone looking to go against popular theory in a quiet game can get a top price of 13/10 to go Under 2.5 goals.
Over in the Correct Score markets, that high scoring game could make the 2-2 draw an attractive bet at 11/1. A 3-1 victory for favorites Liverpool is on offer at 18/1, while the same scoreline in favor of Brighton is slightly further back at a best of 20/1.
Our Preview’s BHA vs LFC Betting Predictions & Picks Verdict
Brighton’s successes over Liverpool this season were no flukes. The Seagulls have been competitive in the Premier League with Graham Potter in charge, and the team are just starting to settle in under new manager Roberto De Zerbi. Brighton remain in sixth and we also have to take into account that they come into this game with a two point lead over Liverpool who are down in ninth.
Much could depend on team selection and we suspect that the Reds could be stronger. Klopp may also feel that his job could be on the line if his team finish in mid-table and end the campaign without silverware. The Champions League remains a target but Liverpool have been drawn against the mighty Real Madrid and they may see the FA Cup as a more realistic option.
In short, we suspect that Liverpool may be more ‘up for it’ while their opponents could be looking more towards a finish inside the European places. The loss of Leandro Trossard, who scored a hat-trick in that 3-3 draw at Anfield, could also affect the Seagulls here.
Liverpool for the win is the main tip, and we’ll also stake on Cody Gakpo for an anytime goal. The Dutchman has yet to settle since his move from PSV Eindhoven, but he proved at the World Cup that he is too good a player to be out of the goals for long. So these are the picks and betting predictions for this BHAFC vs LFC FA Cup soccer matchup preview:
- Liverpool to win on the moneyline @ best odds of +157 with BetOnline.
- Cody Gakpo to Score at Any Time @ +250 with EveryGame.
Matt Harris is a golf and soccer expert for USA Betting. His other area of specialist knowledge is cricket. He is well known in sports journalism and contributes articles to a plethora of big-name websites and media outlets. Titles that he writes or has written for include: Betfair, BetVictor, Unibet & Just Bookies.