The defending Premier League champions, Liverpool, are opening the Premier League season at Anfield against Bournemouth on Friday.
Liverpool are a big favorite for this contest on the DraftKings Sportsbook. Here is a preview, prediction, and pick for this fixture.
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth Prediction
Liverpool are coming off an incredible season, where they won the Premier League title, topped the Champions League league phase and made the League Cup Final. The Reds’ quest to repeat as Premier League champions begins at Anfield on Friday. They will play the first game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth. It will be an emotional day at Anfield, as it will be the first Premier League match since the tragic death of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota. The Anfield crowd should be at its absolute peak, for all of these reasons, and make it a tough task for Bournemouth to get a result.
Liverpool are a massive favorite in their season opener, listed as -320 favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook. They were the best team in England last season, and then had one of the most exciting transfer windows in all of Europe. They added the sought-after sensation Florian Wirtz, striker Hugo Ekitike and two new fullbacks, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. All four of these new additions are expected to be in Liverpool’s starting XI on opening day. We already saw a glimpse of the new Liverpool side in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace. At times, Liverpool looked like an unstoppable side. However, they faded away in the last half an hour, giving away an equalizing goal and losing on penalties.
This Liverpool team should be competing for every trophy during the 2025-26 season. However, with so many new additions, there could be a bit of a rocky start for the Reds. Last season, Arne Slot’s side started the season with a 2-0 win over Ipswich Town. They will hope for a similarly clinical performance against Bournemouth on Friday. Last season, Liverpool dominated the Cherries, beating them 3-0 and 4-0 in their two Premier League fixtures. Bournemouth lost three high-level defenders during the summer, including Kerkez to Liverpool. They brought in some promising new pieces, but it could take some time for Bournemouth to gel at the back. That could leave them quite exposed against a Liverpool side with so many dangerous players in attack.
Liverpool vs. Bournemouth Pick
My best bet for this match is for Liverpool to cover the spread of -1.5 goals. Liverpool have some questions defensively with two new fullbacks and with defensive midfielder Ryan Gravenberch serving a suspension during this match. However, Bournemouth aren’t particularly dangerous going forward. They ranked ninth in the Premier League in goals scored last season, and they will be without their leading goalscorer from last season, Justin Kluivert, as he deals with an injury. Meanwhile, Bournemouth could be very vulnerable at the back with three new starters in their back four and a new goalkeeper. Between Mo Salah, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo and Liverpool’s other dangerous attacking options, in front of a thunderous Kop, they should be able to generate several goals and cover this line.
