Match preview: Anfield drama looms as Liverpool host Sunderland
Anfield will roar again on December 3 as Liverpool welcome Sunderland in a Premier League encounter that already reads like a contrast in styles. The home side arrive with heavy attacking numbers — more total shots, higher dangerous attacks and a clear territorial edge — but mixed form that has seen them oscillate from convincing wins to heavy defeats. Their last-up victory at West Ham, where Cody Gakpo earned plaudits as the best player, provided a morale boost after a bruising sequence including losses to PSV and Nottingham Forest. Sunderland, meanwhile, have been steady and compact; they sit higher in the table and travel to Merseyside off the back of a spirited 3-2 win over Bournemouth in which Enzo Le Fée starred.
Stuart Attwell will take charge at Anfield, a venue whose capacity and atmosphere often lift the hosts. Liverpool’s attacking averages — shots per game, shots inside the box and dangerous attacks — underline why bookmakers make them overwhelming favorites. Sunderland’s away profile tells a different story: limited goals on the road but resilience and a knack for securing draws; their away goals tally is modest and they rarely see both teams score when playing away, a stat that can frustrate free-flowing home sides.
Key tactical angles and what to expect
Expect Liverpool to control possession and press high, hunting openings in wide areas and through frequent shots inside the box. Sunderland will likely be organised, seeking to frustrate and hit on transitions; their recent results show a team that can grind out points and snatch late goals. The H2H history between these clubs is sparse in recent seasons, but the 2017 draw shows Sunderland can spring surprises at home — though this is a different context entirely.
For punters, understanding match context and choosing the right market is crucial. If you’re weighing where to put your money, consider reviewing broader strategic guidance on market selection with resources like Soccer betting tips and the choice of markets, and remember the psychological side of wagering by brushing up on How to have emotional control when placing bets? — both useful reads before committing stakes.
Betting suggestion (1x2): Back Liverpool to win
Bookmakers make Liverpool strong 1.34 favorites with a probability of roughly 74.6%. The weight of attacking statistics, home advantage at Anfield and Sunderland’s low away-goal output point to a home victory as the most likely outcome. Stake with discipline and consider modest units given Liverpool’s recent volatility; for value-seekers a straight Home (1) on the 1x2 market is the primary pick for this fixture.
