Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Picks and Predictions: Liverpool to get FA Cup Relief

The FA Cup is back this weekend with the third round of this famous cup, and Saturday serves up an all-EPL clash between Liverpool and Wolves.

Neither Liverpool nor the Wolves are having the domestic seasons that they wanted, so could this matchup give one team some relief? Read more in our Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton picks and predictions.

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton odds

Odds courtesy of bet365 as of January 5, 2023.

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton picks and predictions

The Premier League and Champions League rightly get the headlines but ask any English soccer fans what their favorite competition is, and you’re likely to hear them say the FA Cup. It's the oldest nationwide competition in the history of the sport, and each season features over 700 teams, from the amateur levels, through to the best teams in the country.

Neither team is having an ideal season so far, with Liverpool struggling in sixth in the Premier League and Wolves down in 19th and staring down the barrel of relegation.

Liverpool come into this as the holders, having beaten Chelsea in the final last year. Given their difficulties this year, they’ll be desperate to retain that trophy and keep the silverware flowing at Anfield. Meanwhile, the Wolves don’t have the illustrious history of Liverpool, but they’ve lifted this famous trophy four times —most recently in 1960. 

The Reds most recently suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brentford, a result which horrified fans. However, they have still looked better since the World Cup, narrowly losing to Man City but beating Aston Villa and Leicester. It’s also worth noting that in the four games since the World Cup, the team has managed to score at least one in each game.

Liverpool’s issues come at midfield, where they’ve been overrun at times. Despite scoring eight in those four games, they’ve also allowed as many goals during that span.

Wolves will fancy their chances of being able to score on Saturday against a team who will give up opportunities, especially if they are resting some of their stars. Both teams have scored in 70.6% of Liverpool's Premier League games this season, and I believe that trend will continue.

However, I’m also confident that Liverpool will win this match. They’re the superior team, and ultimately that quality will pay against a Wolves team who currently look very poor. 

My best bet: Liverpool to win and both teams to score (+200 at bet365)

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton side analysis

You can expect to see Liverpool line up in a 4-3-3 formation, and there’s a strong chance we will see Jurgen Klopp play a strong side, despite the injuries that the team is currently going through. 

There’ll be no Virgil van Dijk due to injury, but the back four should be fairly strong with Robertson and Alexander-Arnold at fullback. Caoimhin Kelleher will likely play in goal, and I expect Cody Gakpo to make his debut for Liverpool. I’d also predict that one of Mohamed Salah or Darwin Nunez starts alongside him in the front three.

Wolves will be sent out in a 4-2-3-1, with Matheus Cunha surely getting his first start up front for Wolves. The midfield trio of Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves, and Matheus Nunes will be expected to stop Liverpool’s attacks and also create for Wolves’ attacking stars.

I’m expecting them to put up a fight here but ultimately not be quite good enough to beat Liverpool, especially with the talent that Liverpool can still bring on from the bench.

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Over/Under analysis

With Over 2.5 goals being offered at a best price of -160, it’s clear that the bookies are expecting this to be a bit of a goal-fest. I can’t really argue against that, given the makeup of attackers on Liverpool, their ability to score goals, as well as their shaky backline.

Also, Wolves’ new attacking signing gives them a slightly more dangerous edge than they’ve had so far this season.

It’s not a direct comparison, but in the Premier League, we’ve seen Over 2.5 goals in 66.7% of Liverpool’s games at Anfield. In those nine games, they’ve allowed the opposition to score in six of them. That should give bettors a lot of confidence that we see the Over cash in this spot. 

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton game info

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton key injuries

Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk CB (Out), Luis Diaz FWR (Out), Diogo Jota FWR (Out), Arthur CM (Out).
Wolverhampton: Pedro Neto FWR (Out), Boubacar Traore CM (Out), Sasa Kalajdzic STR (Out).

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton recent form

Teams	Last five matches
Liverpool	L-W-W-L-W
Wolverhampton	D-L-W-W-L

Liverpool vs Wolverhampton weather

Temperatures will be in the 40s, and a heavy day of rain should be eased by kickoff. 

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