Liverpool vs Charlton betting preview

Charlton caught Liverpool on the back foot when beating them 2-0 at The Valley last month but expect a different outcome when the Addicks head to Anfield for Saturday's clash with Rafa Benitez's charges. The Reds had enjoyed a long unbeaten run before defeats against Man Utd and Chelsea in quick succession took the wind out of their sail and, with all due respect to Alan Curbishley's men, they don't have the strength in depth to cope with a back-to-form Liverpool side, which they will be facing at the weekend. Pool, currently third in the Premiership, have only conceded five goals in their fourteen home matches played in the league this year and, while they don't exactly score goals for fun, they know how to grind out results. At a top-priced 1/2 (VCBet), backing the home win in the match result market isn't an appealing proposition unless you're a big-hitter. Therefore, the best option here is to take a foray into the correct score market and split your stakes, backing Liverpool to win 1-0 and 2-0, both of which are priced at 6/1 with totesport and Ladbrokes respectively. This make sense since Liverpool have averaged 1.4 goals per home match in the Premiership this season. While this isn't a particularly eyecatching stat, their defence is as solid as a rock, hence the fact that of those fourteen matches, Liverpool have won eleven, drawn two, and lost just one - against Chelsea back in October last year. This backs up my earlier statement that Liverpool have become pastmasters at grinding out results. Harry Kewell, who scored the winner against Man City last weekend, is looking sharp at present, while Peter Crouch, fresh from scoring his first goal for England in the midweek friendly against Uruguay, will be full of confidence and keen to remind Sven of his goalscoring prowess.