Liverpool vs Fulham

Liverpool are enjoying a solid spell with 2 wins, 3 draws and 0 defeats from their last 5 outings. With 8 goals in their last 5, their attack has been a real threat, while defensively they have conceded relatively few (1.0 per game). The recent sequence — 3 straight draws — underlines how finely balanced they currently are. At the back, they have been difficult to break down, conceding 1.0 goals per game on average.

For Fulham, the picture is quite different. Fulham will approach this game with quiet assurance, after taking 6 points from a possible 15 in their last 5. They have scored freely averaging 1.6 goals per game, while conceding 1.4. Looking at the head-to-head record, the last 6 meetings have produced 2 Liverpool wins, 1 Fulham wins and 3 draws. These meetings have tended to produce plenty of goals, averaging 3.5 goals per match.

The statistics point towards an open game here. Both teams have been involved in matches with plenty of goalmouth action recently, and the tactical setup suggests a similar pattern could emerge. Expect a closely fought contest between two evenly matched sides. The result may well come down to which team is more clinical in the final third.

Neither side can be written off, given how close their recent returns have been — it is a genuine coin-flip. The team in better form holds a slight edge, but this is far from a foregone conclusion. All eyes turn to the Premier League when this one gets under way.