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Big Game Focus: Crystal Palace v Liverpool

Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Napoli v Liverpool - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - August 4, 2018 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

The Big Game Focus takes a look at the largest game of the day, giving you possible team line-ups, form and betting advice.

The first Monday night match of the Premier League campaign pits Crystal Palace against Liverpool as both sides look to pick up a second straight win.

Palace kicked off their season with a win over fellow London side Fulham, and their week only got better when star player Wilfried Zaha signed a new contract. The Ivory Coast has put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at the club until 2023.

Liverpool’s summer business has seen them elevated to the status of Manchester City’s biggest challengers for the Premier League crown. Their forward line showed no signs of rustiness in their 4-0 victory against West Ham on Sunday, while the addition of goalkeeper Alisson should lead to an stronger defence.

Recent encounters between these sides have been full of controversy, but also goals. With these sides off to a winning start, fans can reasonably expect more of the same.

Betting tips

Liverpool have won four of their past five matches against the Eagles and have been victorious on their past four visits to Selhurst Park. Back a Liverpool Win at odds of 1.45 here.

Both teams have been on the scoresheet in nine of the past ten competitive meetings between these sides. The same has occurred in three out of five home games for Crystal Palace and three of Liverpool’s last five away matches in the Premier League. Click here for odds of 1.70 on Both Teams to Score at Selhurst Park.

Sadio Mane found the net twice in Liverpool’s win over West Ham and was on the scoresheet in both of the Reds’ matches against Palace last season. The Senegalese forward is priced at odds of 2.30 to score at any time during the match.

Team news

Roy Hodgson has no new injury concerns for the match. Club captain Scott Dann, Jason Puncheon and Connor Wickham are still out with long-term injuries.

Dejan Lovren will be out for a few more weeks as he seeks to regain fitness following the World Cup. Skipper Jordan Henderson should be available to start after a brief appearance against West Ham.

Possible teams

Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt, Townsend, Milivojevic, MacArthur, Schlupp, Benteke, Zaha

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson, Milner, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Firmino, Mane

*All odds subject to change

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