Liverpool vs Qarabag predictions and betting tips – Reds bid to secure Round of 16 place

Inconsistent Liverpool welcome Qarabag to Anfield for their final Champions League group fixture.

The Reds need a win to secure a place in the Round of 16, but which Liverpool turns up remains the big question after last week’s win over Marseille and Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth.

• Liverpool to win and over 3.5 goals – 10/11 with bet365
• Dominik Szoboszlai to score or assist – 4/6 with bet365
• Both teams to score – 11/10 with bet365

Liverpool vs Qarabag odds

Find the latest Liverpool vs Qarabag betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Liverpool vs Qarabag prediction

Sitting fourth in the Champions League table on 15 points, Liverpool’s place in the Round of 16 is not yet confirmed. However, from their high position in the table and with a home game against Qarabag to go, it would take a remarkable sequence of events for the Reds to drop out of the top eight and into the playoff places.

Given Liverpool’s current domestic woes, fans could be forgiven for fearing the worst. The Reds dropped more points on Saturday in the Premier League, losing 3-2 away to Bournemouth. Arne Slot’s team have now failed to win their previous five in the league, drawing four and losing one.

Woven into the poor run of league form is a 4-1 win over Barnsley in the FA Cup, and far more impressively, last Wednesday’s 3-0 win away at Marseille in the Champions League. 

The win was Liverpool’s third on the road in Europe, following on from a 1-0 win at Inter on Matchday 6 and a 5-1 win at Frankfurt on Matchday 3. If only the Reds could replicate such impressive form domestically, and on a far more consistent basis. 

In fairness to Liverpool, despite all the dropped league points in recent weeks, Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Bournemouth was their first defeat in all competitions since their 4-1 home thrashing at the hands of PSV on Matchday 5 of the Champions League – a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions. 

But should the unthinkable happen and Liverpool lose against Qarabag, then head coach Arne Slot really will be under unspeakable pressure.

Azerbaijani champions Qarabag have had an impressive Champions League campaign. Qurban Qurbanov’s team sit 18th in the 36-team league table on ten points from their seven matches. 

Even a defeat at Anfield should see them qualify for the knockout stages for the first time in their history. After all, seven teams below them all need to pick up points to see the Azerbaijanis drop out of the top 24.  

The omens for a Qarabag win aren’t good. Qurbanov’s side have never beaten English opposition in eight attempts, and they have lost two of their three matches on the road in this year’s competition to Athletic Club (3-1) and Napoli (2-0).

However, the Azerbaijanis can take heart from a 3-2 win away to Benfica on Matchday 1, and they did end their seven-match losing streak to English clubs when they held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at home on Matchday 4.

Domestically, Qarabag sit second in the Azerbaijan Premier League with 36 points from 17 matches. However, like Liverpool, they did suffer a huge setback at the weekend, losing 2-0 at home to lowly Kapaz. 

The defeat ended a 14-match unbeaten run and was far from the ideal preparation for a trip to Anfield. But on a hugely positive note, Qurban Qurbanov’s team defeated Frankfurt 3-2 at home in their previous Champions League outing last Wednesday.

Liverpool vs Qarabag betting tips

In normal circumstances, this would be a routine home win for Liverpool. The problem is, these are far from normal circumstances for the Reds, and the pressure will really be on at Anfield for Slot’s team to not make a mess of things. Find out what will happen in our Liverpool vs Qarabag tips:

Goals expected in Liverpool win

If Liverpool can’t win this, then the talk over Arne Slot’s future will only intensify. Who knows. With the group stage over, along with Xabi Alonso’s current availability, might the Reds even go for the nuclear option?

We don’t see that happening. Despite the mistake count continuing to rise against Bournemouth, the players still looked to be giving it their all for the head coach.

We can see Liverpool winning this comfortably. Maybe 3-1, 4-1 or 4-0. All three scorelines would see this wager win. 

Bet on Liverpool to win and over 3.5 goals in the match at 10/11 with bet365

Szoboszlai to step up for Slot again

He’s not just been the man of the moment in recent weeks for Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai has been by far and away the most consistent performer across the whole season for Arne Slot’s team. 

The Hungarian slotted a free kick under the wall to open the scoring in Liverpool’s 3-0 win in Marseille last week.

In the Premier League on Saturday, Bournemouth didn’t fall for that trick, and placed the draught excluder at the back of the wall. No problem. Szoboszlai just got Salah to back heel the ball a yard to his right, and using the new angle, curled it into the corner. 

Liverpool’s number eight just looks in imperious form at the moment. Back him to play a part again.

Back Dominik Szoboszlai to score or assist at 4/6 with bet365

Defensive doubts point to BTTS

We’ve already made the point that Qarabag have had an impressive Champions League campaign. 

The Azerbaijanis have scored 13 goals in their seven matches, only failing to find the net in their 2-0 defeat away to Napoli on Matchday 5.

Given Liverpool’s recent defensive errors, it would be no surprise to see the visitors get on the scoresheet again.

Even in their current form, Liverpool should also have enough to score themselves, making both teams to score a good value bet at odds against.

Back both teams to score at 11/10 with bet365

Liverpool vs Qarabag predicted lineups

• Liverpool expected lineup: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Szoboszlai; Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah; Ekitike.
• Qarabag expected lineup: Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Jankovic, Bicalho; Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir; Duran.

Where to watch Liverpool vs Qarabag

• Location: Anfield, Liverpool, England.
• Date and time: Wednesday 28th January, 8pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate.

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About the author

Dean Etheridge

Dean Etheridge is an experienced freelance sports betting writer who specialises in football, cricket, and darts, with a keen focus on the Premier League and Champions League, as well as in-depth coverage of Premier League Darts and major tournaments. He can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game and beyond, delivering expert analysis across a range of sports. He predominantly covers the Premier League and Champions League but can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge)

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