Liverpool vs Hoffenheim Preview, Team News, Line-Ups, Betting Tips & Prediction

Liverpool will look to secure safe passage to the group stages of the Champions League when they entertain Hoffenheim at Anfield in the second leg of their play-off tonight.

The Reds came away with a vital 2-1 victory in the first leg over in Germany last week so they are understandably the heavy favourites to book their place in the group stages this evening.

Liverpool got their first Premier League win on the board at the weekend with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace so Jurgen Klopp will be looking to finish off a positive week with another win tonight.

However, Hoffenheim won’t be going to Anfield to roll over and the Bundesliga side showed enough in the first leg to prove that they have the ability to cause Liverpool problems, so I’m sure Klopp will have his side fully focused.

Team news

Liverpool will continue to be without Philippe Coutinho as not only is he nursing a back injury but he’s also suffering from illness as speculation continues to link him with a move to Barcelona.

Adam Lallana is also ruled out with a serious thigh injury while Nathaniel Clyne is still recovering from a hamstring injury that’s kept him out of the first three games of the season.

Klopp is expected to make some changes after resting the likes of Dejan Lovren, Trent Alexnader-Arnold, Emre Can and Mohamed Salah at the weekend.

Hoffenheim have a fully-fit squad to choose from with Serge Gnabry and Sandro Wagner set for recalls after being rested on Saturday.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Liverpool 3-1 Hoffenheim: The Reds have two precious away goals to protect but Hoffenheim’s late strike in Germany ensures this could still be a nervy night at Anfield. However, I think with the home support behind them, Liverpool won’t have too much trouble finishing the job and I think they’ll ease to a 3-1 win tonight to book their place in the group stages of the Champions League.

Betting Tips

Liverpool are the 13/20 favourites with the bookmakers to win this game but if you take advantage of welcome offers or this bet365 bonus then you can make your money go further. If you want even more value then I like the look of both teams to score at 4/7 while my outside bet would be Firmino to score first in a 3-1 win, which can be backed at 28/1.