Liverpool set for entertaining trip south

Premier League
Sky Sports Premier League, 12.30pm Saturday

Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City has already got the juices flowing but the Reds' trip to Crystal Palace may prove a pleasing aperitif before Tuesday's clash at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp's men started their Premier League campaign with a 3-3 draw at Watford and they have continued in that entertaining fashion, particularly away from home.

They lost on the road at the Citizens, Manchester United and Tottenham but in their other 12 away games they have found the net 33 times and should be confident of adding to that tally at Selhurst Park.

Klopp will obviously have one eye on the Champions League humdinger on Tuesday but a top-four finish is vital this season too.

Before Liverpool's 1-0 win over Palace at Anfield in August, the previous ten meetings between the sides had all featured over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring, which looks a tempting bet once again.

That sequence includes the famous 3-3 Selhurst draw that derailed Liverpool's title challenge in 2013-14, as well as a 4-2 win for the Reds in London last season (when backers of both teams to score and over 2.5 goals were counting their winnings inside 21 minutes).

Former Liverpool players Christian Benteke and Mamadou Sakho, and manager Roy Hodgson, will be keen to get one over their old club but the key protagonist for Palace is undoubtedly Wilfried Zaha.

When fit, the Ivory Coast winger has been superb for the Eagles this season and the hosts will be desperately hoping for a positive assessment on his knee problem.

If Zaha is passed fit it will be a major boost for the tip but there are plenty of other goal threats on show.

Crystal Palace team profile

Liverpool team profile

Premier League standings

Liverpool are the leading away scorers in the top flight and Mohamed Salah's four goals against Watford before the international break put him clear in the Golden Boot race.

Palace themselves have failed to score only twice in their last 16 games, against Manchester City and Tottenham, and that positive approach could serve them well against a Liverpool defence who have conceded 24 goals in 15 away games.

Recommendation
Both teams to score & over 2.5 goals
2pts 21-20 Coral

Bet on this game at soccerbase.com

Team news
Crystal Palace

Wilfried Zaha's knee injury will be assessed before kick-off while James Tomkins and Alexander Sorloth are doubtful. Jeffrey Schlupp and Joel Ward are sidelined.

Liverpool
Joe Gomez misses out after picking up an ankle injury on England duty. Emre Can (back) and Dejan Lovren (ankle) are fitness doubts for the Reds.

Key stat
Crystal Palace have failed to score in only two of their last 16 Premier League games.

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