Despite poor results so far this season, no team hits more shots on target per 90 than Liverpool’s 5.73. Gakpo has established himself as a starting striker for Liverpool and plays less of a false nine role than the likes of Roberto Firmino. Gakpo looks like he is getting the hang of playing in Klopp’s system and scored in both of his previous league matches.

Gakpo is averaging 0.92 shots on target per 90 and has had a shot on target in 5 of his last 9 matches. Crystal Palace are in poor form; they have conceded at least 4 shots on target in all of their last 8 matches. Crystal Palace try to play good football and Liverpool have been strong on the counter recently, I think Gakpo’s style of play will suit this match and he should be good enough to have a shot on target in this match.

Liverpool are averaging the second most passes attempted per 90 this season with 637.4, only Manchester City average more. Crystal Palace on the other hand allow 562 passes per 90, only 3 teams in the league allow more. In the last match between the two, despite Liverpool going down to 10 men for the last 30 minutes, Liverpool attempted 804 passes, the 2nd most passes Crystal Palace have allowed in any match this season.

In this match Fabinho attempted a huge 124 passes, his most passes of any match so far. Opposition defensive midfielders have a pattern of having a lot of passes against Crystal Palace. In their recent matches, Jensen attempted 76 passes for Brentford, Gross attempted 94 passes and Caicedo attempted 76 passes for Brighton. Fabinho attempted 87 passes in the last match against Real Madrid and he is back as an important player in Liverpool’s midfield three. While it is higher odds and not a guarantee, I think Fabinho to have 70 or more passes is great value.

Crystal Palace are a quick, counter-attacking side and will start fast at home against a Liverpool side who may be nervy given their result in midweek. Crystal Palace average 4.35 corners per 90 and Liverpool concede 3.55 corner per 90. Crystal Palace have had at least 3 corners in 7 of their last 8 matches including games against Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United twice and Newcastle.

Crystal Palace will look to get on top of Liverpool early on at what will be a rocking Selhurst Park, they could win 3 corners by 10 minutes in. In Liverpool’s last 8 matches, only once have the opposition failed to have 3 corners against them when struggling Wolves had just 2. I expect Palace to have at least 3 corners here so I am backing over 2.5 corners in this match.

Crystal Palace average 2.35 cards per 90 this season, the second highest of any team in the league. Palace committed 4 fouls in their last match against Liverpool and have now received at least 2 cards in 5 of their last 6 matches. Against other possession heavy teams Crystal Palace have received more cards, against Brighton, Newcastle and Chelsea recently, Crystal Palace have received at least 4 cards in each match.

The referee for this match is Darren England, this season he has handed out 85 cards in 23 matches, an average of 3.70 per match. Palace will have a great atmosphere at the ground which will encourage them to get stuck into tackles, therefore I see them picking up a few cards in this match.