West Brom - Liverpool Betting Preview: Expect Rodgers' Reds to start with a win

For the first time in since the 2009-10 season this fixture takes place without Roy Hodgson in the dugout. Can we expect a more attacking approach from the two new coaches in charge?

The initial signs from Brendan Rodgers are encouraging. Gomel of Belarus were beaten 4-0 on aggregate in the Europa League and Liverpool followed that up with a 3-1 friendly success over Bayer Leverkusen.

Talented youngsters have arrived in the form of Fabio Borini, Oussama Assaidi and Joe Allen – and more importantly the indications are that Rodgers’ approach is being embraced at the Melwood training ground.

Liverpool are 10/11 (1.91) with Bet365 to beat West Brom at the Hawthorns.

That’s something the Reds achieved in the corresponding fixture last season but the Baggies have won the other two of the previous three meetings.

And the side has not changed too much since then. There has been a slight reshaping of the squad in pre-season – Simon Cox leaving with Markus Rosenberg and Romelu Lukaku coming in.

But Jonas Olsson looks to be staying and stability is the watchword following the arrival of former Liverpool assistant Steve Clarke to replace Hodgson as head coach.

Albion are 3/1 (4.0) to win this one in front of their own fans. The draw is available at 5/2 (3.5) with Bet365.

But backing Liverpool looks to be the way to go here. While Albion have prepared with games against Barnsley, Stockport and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool have taken on Roma, Tottenham and Leverkusen.

With the Reds also having two competitive games under their belt, expect them to win.

For the value bet, there can be some joy in exploring the goalscorer markets.

Peter Odemwingie is a long-time favourite first goalscorer pick of this punter, having scored the opening goal six times in each of the last two seasons – including the only goal of the game when these sides met at Anfield in April.

The Nigeria international is 15/2 (8.5) with Bet365 to score first here. Although there are some doubts over his place in the team due to a disagreement with the management,

Elsewhere in the Baggies squad, new signing Yassine El Ghanassy looks a goal threat and fans of the player may be interested in the industry-best price of 9/1 (10.0) on offer for the winger to score at any time.

But the best value could be £10 million man Borini. The former Roma forward will be central to Rodgers’ attacking ambitions and is available at 8/5 (2.6) in the anytime goalscorer market.

Expect those odds to come down before long if the 21-year-old successfully adapts to the Premier League.

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Adam Bate is a professional freelance journalist who specialises in football and betting. He is editor of GhostGoal which can be found here - you can also follow Adam on

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