Plymouth vs. Liverpool Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 9 February 2025 - bettingexpert

The upcoming FA Cup fourth-round clash between Plymouth Argyle and Liverpool at Home Park promises an intriguing David vs Goliath scenario. While Plymouth, positioned at the bottom of the Championship league, looks to continue their FA Cup resilience with four straight unbeaten runs, Liverpool, fresh off a 4-0 thrashing of Tottenham that secured their League Cup final spot, eye another trophy in a fiercely competitive season.

Liverpool’s superior firepower is underscored by their recent form, with standout performances from Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah. Plymouth, bolstered by Tymoteusz Puchacz’s assist in their 2-1 victory over West Brom, rely on their fighting spirit and tactical organization to mount a challenge.

Given Liverpool’s strength and Plymouth’s recent struggles, the match tips suggest a comfortable victory for the visitors. Betting on Liverpool with a -2.50 Asian Handicap could offer value, as they are heavily favoured with odds of 1.14 to win.

A victory here could further solidify Liverpool’s determination under Arne Slot, setting the stage for a deeper FA Cup run. For Plymouth, it’s an opportunity to shine on a big stage despite their league woes.

Plymouth vs Liverpool Prediction & Betting tip

Plymouth vs Liverpool Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Liverpool -2.50 Asian Handicap	2.3

• Liverpool are heavily favoured: Bookmakers give them odds of 1.14 to win outright, highlighting their superior skill and league standing.
• Plymouth’s defensive struggles: With zero clean sheets in their last five matches, Plymouth might find it hard to contain Liverpool’s attacking firepower.
• Liverpool’s offensive strength: Scoring an average of 2.80 goals in their last five games, Liverpool’s attacking threats, like Diogo Jota, are in top form.

Given these dynamics, betting on Liverpool to win by a large margin seems like a sound choice. This match offers a ripe opportunity for the visitors to showcase their dominance. With stars like Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo in great form, Liverpool are primed for a comfortable victory.

Plymouth vs Liverpool Odds

Plymouth vs Liverpool Betting Odds
Plymouth	16.38
Draw	7.90
Liverpool	1.14
Liverpool are the clear favourites to win this FA Cup fourth-round clash.
With odds of 1.14 for a Liverpool victory, the bookmakers highlight the vast difference in form and ability between these two teams. Plymouth’s odds of 16.38 reflect the steep challenge they face.
A draw, with odds of 7.90, is deemed unlikely but not outside the realms of possibility, given football’s unpredictable nature. This imbalance in odds reflects Liverpool’s Premier League status and recent dominant performances.

Plymouth Team Analysis

Plymouth Recent Performance

Plymouth’s recent form in their last five matches has shown a mixed bag of results, reflecting their ongoing struggle in the Championship. Here’s a quick summary of their recent performances:

Home team	Away team	Result
Plymouth	West Bromwich	2-1 (Win)
Sunderland	Plymouth	2-2 (Draw)
Plymouth	Burnley	0-5 (Loss)
Plymouth	Queens Park Rangers	0-1 (Loss)
Plymouth	Oxford	1-1 (Draw)

Plymouth has managed to score an average of 1.00 goals per match in their last five outings, indicating some offensive capability. However, the team has struggled defensively, having kept no clean sheets during the same period. Their defence will need to tighten up against Liverpool’s potent attack if they hope to pull off an upset in this FA Cup fourth-round clash.

Plymouth Key Players

Plymouth’s key players have shown moments of brilliance, especially in recent games. Morgan Whittaker, the club’s top scorer in this season’s FA Cup, will be crucial if Plymouth are to cause an upset. Tymoteusz Puchacz, on loan from Holstein Kiel, played an instrumental role in their recent 2-1 victory against West Bromwich Albion, providing an important assist. His creativity and vision could be vital against Liverpool’s solid defense.

Expected lineup for Plymouth:

• Goalkeeper: Conor Hazard
• Defenders: Julio Pleguezuelo, Nikola Katic, Maksym Talovierov, Matthew Sorinola, Tymoteusz Puchacz
• Midfielders: Adam Randell, Jordan Houghton, Michael Baidoo, Callum Wright
• Attacker: Mustapha Bundu

Key battles to watch out for include Plymouth’s attackers against Liverpool’s stalwarts like Virgil van Dijk. This match could showcase individual duels that may define the outcome.

Plymouth Suspensions & Injuries

Plymouth are dealing with several key injuries that might impact their performance against Liverpool.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Joe Edwards	Hamstring Injury	Late February 2025
Brendan Galloway	Hip Injury	Out for Season
Kornél Szűcs	Muscle Injury	Mid-February 2025

The absence of Joe Edwards and Brendan Galloway could affect Plymouth’s defensive stability and leadership on the pitch. Kornél Szűcs’ muscle injury also adds to their woes, although his expected return in mid-February might not be in time for this crucial FA Cup tie.
These injuries mean the team will need to rely heavily on the depth of their squad and the resilience of remaining key players.

Plymouth Tactics and Formation

Plymouth Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Mustapha Bundu
• Midfield Dynamics: Adam Randell and Jordan Houghton serve as the central midfield pairing, focusing on both defensive solidity and transitioning the ball forward.
• Defensive Unit: The back three of Julio Pleguezuelo, Nikola Katic, and Maksym Talovierov aim to provide stability, though the team’s recent form shows some vulnerabilities with zero clean sheets in the last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Plymouth tends to emphasize width with wingbacks Matthew Sorinola and Tymoteusz Puchacz playing crucial roles in both defense and attack.

This setup aims to absorb pressure while looking for rapid transitions, especially targeting Morgan Whittaker for finishing opportunities.

Liverpool Team Analysis

Liverpool Recent Performance

Liverpool’s recent form has been quite impressive, securing four wins in their last five matches. Their victory against Tottenham with a 4-0 scoreline was particularly noteworthy, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.
They have managed to keep clean sheets in two of these encounters. Liverpool’s average goals scored in these matches is a striking 2.80, indicating their potent offensive capabilities.

Home team	Away team	Result
Liverpool	Tottenham	4-0 (Win)
Bournemouth	Liverpool	0-2 (Win)
PSV Eindhoven	Liverpool	3-2 (Loss)
Liverpool	Ipswich	4-1 (Win)
Liverpool	Lille	2-1 (Win)

With their sights set on progressing further in the FA Cup, Liverpool will look to maintain this strong form against Plymouth.

Liverpool Key Players

Liverpool enter this FA Cup clash against Plymouth boasting a formidable lineup, packed with talent and experience.

Key players to watch include:

• Diogo Jota: Top scorer with 1 goal in the tournament. His sharp instincts in the box make him a constant threat.
• Mohamed Salah: A creative dynamo known for his dribbling and clinical finishing. Salah often unlocks defenses with his speed and skill.
• Virgil van Dijk: The defensive stalwart who will marshal Liverpool’s backline. His aerial prowess and positional awareness are crucial for keeping clean sheets.

Expected lineup for Liverpool:

• Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher
• Defenders: Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson
• Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo
• Forwards: Darwin Nunez

Key individual battles to keep an eye on:

• Darwin Nunez vs Maksym Talovierov: Nunez’s attacking flair against the defensive solidity of Talovierov.
• Mohamed Salah vs Tymoteusz Puchacz: Salah’s pace and trickery against Puchacz’s defensive resilience.

Liverpool Suspensions & Injuries

Liverpool face some notable absences for their FA Cup clash against Plymouth. Here’s a look at the players who are unavailable:

Player	Injury	Expected return
Joel Matip	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for the season
Trent Alexander-Arnold	Thigh injury	Mid February 2025
Liverpool have no players currently suspended.

These injuries might impact Liverpool’s defensive options, with Joel Matip’s season-ending injury and Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined until mid-February. The absences could challenge Liverpool’s depth, but their bench strength should help cover the gaps.

Liverpool Tactics and Formation

Liverpool’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Darwin Nunez
• Liverpool’s forward line, led by Nunez, has been prolific, with the team averaging 2.8 goals per game in their last five matches.
• Midfield Trio: Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, and Mohamed Salah
• The midfield boasts a blend of creative and combative players who can control the tempo and break defensive lines effectively.
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
• With Van Dijk marshalling the defense, Liverpool have shown resilience despite injuries to key players like Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
• Notable Strategy:
• Strong attack during the 61-75 minute interval
• Liverpool have consistently capitalized during this period, often making critical breakthroughs.

Expect Liverpool to leverage their superior quality and depth to dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities at Home Park.

Plymouth vs Liverpool Head-to-Head Statistics

Home	Away	Result
Plymouth Argyle	Liverpool	0-1
Liverpool	Plymouth Argyle	0-0

Despite their different league standings, Plymouth and Liverpool have faced off twice in recent years, with Liverpool narrowly winning one encounter and the other ending in a draw. These matches highlight Plymouth’s potential to challenge the giants, especially when playing at home.

It’s worth noting that Liverpool’s formidable form makes them the favourites, but Plymouth’s recent performances against them may give them a psychological edge.

Odds accurate as of 02.07.2025 15:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.