Liverpool vs. Aston Villa Betting Tips: Back McGinn and Fabinho to rack up the fouls

Liverpool take on Aston Villa at Anfield at 3pm on Saturday with both sides still having plenty to play for. It’s been a profitable week here at BettingOdds.com and we’ve once again got Anthony Eadson to try and snaffle out some value from the betting markets

Jurgen Klopp’s side cruised past Leicester 3-0 on Monday evening at The King Power stadium, with The Reds having now won seven games on the bounce. Heading into the weekend Liverpool sit fifth and are one point behind Manchester United in fourth and four behind Newcastle in third, although ten Hag’s side have played one game fewer. Hopes of a Champions League finish are still alive for Liverpool here with odds of 5/2 available from most betting sites for them to do so.

Aston Villa bounced back from consecutive 1-0 defeats with a 2-1 home win over Spurs seven days ago. Unai Emery’s side have won their last six at Villa Park, but they are winless in their last three on the road. Just one point separates Brighton in sixth and Villa in eight and a Europa League finish could well be on the cards should they pick up a positive result at Anfield.

As mentioned above both sides have plenty to play for as they look to qualify for next season’s European competitions. This can hopefully lead to a high foul-count and both of my bets on Saturday arrive from the player fouls market.

I’m kicking things off with a double that pays even money with Paddy Power or Betfair, involving both Ollie Watkins and Ibrahima Konate to give away one or more fouls.

Watkins has conceded a foul in seven of his last ten Premier League matches, clearing the 2+ line in two of those. The Villa forward should have plenty of defensive work on the agenda in Merseyside and I’d have him a little shorter than the 8/15 that is on show.

Ibrahima Konate has only made 17 league appearances for Liverpool this term, but only one player for The Reds has committed more fouls in the full season. The 23-year-old has given away one or more in 12 of his last 13, committing two or more in eight of those!

I’ve also had small play on the 9/2 that is available in the ‘Oddsboost’ section on Betfair, for both John McGinn and Fabinho to give away two fouls. 

John McGinn has cleared the 2+ line in three of his last five in the top-flight, but another boost for this bet is how many fouls he draws himself. This season he averages 1.9 fouls drawn per game which can hopefully lead to a nice battle with Fabinho in the middle of the park.

Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder is one of the most cynical in the division at times and is known for his card-collecting having been shown ten this season, including eight in his last 15! Fabinho has given away two fouls in his last three matches (2,3,2), and has in only one of his last 14 has he failed to commit any.