There is an exciting FA Cup fourth-round match on Saturday between Liverpool and Brighton. Both teams are not in a great moment in the Premier League, but are looking for a boost by getting to the next round of the FA Cup.
Liverpool are -190 home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook for this one, with a draw available at +360. Brighton are +425 to pull off the upset at Anfield. This is my prediction and pick for the FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Brighton.
Liverpool vs. Brighton Prediction
Liverpool Preview
It has been a strange up-and-down season for Liverpool. They currently sit sixth in the Premier League, with concerns over finishing in the Champions League places, rather than defending their domestic title. However, Liverpool have been brilliant in the Champions League, getting one of the eight automatic spots in the Round of 16. They have gone on different runs where things seem fixed, then they suffer another bad loss. Most recently, Liverpool picked up a quality 1-0 victory away to Sunderland, the first win by a visiting opponent at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League this season. Liverpool will have Dominik Szoboszlai back for this game after his one-game suspension, and Joe Gomez is back fit to fill in at right back.
Brighton Preview
Brighton are having an even tougher time in the Premier League. Fabian Hurzeler did a great job in his first season in charge at Brighton, leading the team to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League. However, Brighton are in 14th place this season, just seven points off the relegation zone. After a couple of nice results, getting a win over Manchester United and a point against Manchester City, Brighton are winless in their last five matches. The Seagulls are struggling to score goals at the moment. They have not scored more than one goal in any of the matches on their five-match winless streak.
Liverpool vs. Brighton Pick
Liverpool are the better side and have the Anfield advantage in this match. However, their performances have been so inconsistent this season that it’s hard to trust them on any given day. The story of Liverpool’s season has been gutting out a great win like Wednesday’s over Sunderland, then following it up with a baffling performance. Brighton is also impossible to rely upon in their current form. So, I’m taking a different approach to my best bet for this match. My favorite bet for this FA Cup tie is the over 10.5 total corners.
Liverpool rank third in the Premier League in corners taken this season, with 151. Meanwhile, Brighton ranks 10th with 128 corners taken. In Liverpool’s recent form, they have controlled possession well and been taking a lot of shots, but most are being blocked or saved, leading to corners. They had 11 corners themselves against Sunderland midweek, had 18 total corners in their recent match against Newcastle and had 14 corners themselves last time out in the Champions League against Qarabag. In Liverpool’s most recent FA Cup match, Liverpool and Barnsley combined for 16 corners. There were also 12 total corners in Brighton’s most recent Premier League match against Aston Villa. This trend should continue in this match as both teams look to scrap for that key goal to get them through to the next round.
