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Posts Tagged ‘goal-difference’

Not even in their darkest hour this summer could Liverpool have envisaged hosting Blackpool in October with one less point, fewer goals scored and with as many shots on target (23) as Ian Holloway’s rapidly-assembled side. But that is the reality confronting Roy Hodgson. It is a matter of conjecture as to which team has shown the greater ambition. Liverpool have faced a difficult start but concern over performance level is justified, and it will be expected to improve significantly against a Blackpool team with two valuable away wins to their name this season. Having appeared in discomfort at the end of Thursday’s draw in Utrecht, Fernando Torres is fit and available. Andy Hunter

Venue Anfield, Sunday 3pm Tickets Sold out Last season N/A Referee M Jones

This season’s matches 4 Y11, R1, 3.00 cards per game

Odds Liverpool 1-3 Blackpool 10-1 Draw 4-1

Liverpool

Subs from Jones, Jovanovic, Rodriguez, Ngog, Kelly, Pacheco, Lucas, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Wilson, Spearing, Shelvey

Doubtful Agger (groin), Kelly (knee)

Injured Aurélio (achilles, 17 Oct), Konchesky (hamstring, 17 Oct)

Suspended None

Form guide DLDWLD

Disciplinary record Y6 R1

Leading scorer Gerrard 3

Blackpool

Subs from Kingson, Keinan, Grandin, Southern, Basham, Sylvestre, Edwards, Phillips, Demontagnac, Euell, Carney, Varney

Doubtful None

Injured Baptiste (knee, 16 Oct), Almond (shoulder, 23 Oct), Clarke (knee, May)

Suspended None

Form guide LLWDLW Disciplinary record Y9 R1

Leading scorer Harewood 2

Match pointers

• Liverpool and Blackpool have not met in any competition since 1971

• This is Liverpool’s worst ever start to a Premier League season, with just six points and -3 goal difference

• Blackpool have conceded more away goals than any other to- flight team this season (10) but only Chelsea have picked up as many points (6) on their travels

• Liverpool have conceded at least two goals in three of their last five league games

• Blackpool are one of three teams yet to score a header in the Premier League

LiverpoolBlackpoolPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk

It’s a sad day in podland, and not just because Phil Brown has been relieved of his duties at Hull City.

On your brand new Football Weekly, we sing an ode to David Beckham, whose World Cup dream is over in the wake of a potentially career-ending achilles injury (although that cut under his eye looks fairly nasty too). James Richardson and a dangerously sleep-deprived Rob Smyth shed a tear.

Before we get to that, proper journalist Owen Gibson looks ahead to Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Internazionale. Plus, there’s all the usual gubbins about the Premier League title race – could it all come down to goal difference? – and the fight for fourth place. Can Tottenham Hotspur really hang on in the face of the crumbling challenge from Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Manchester City?

Finally, Sid Lowe tells us about a weekend of hat-tricks and theatrics in La Liga, and Rafa Honigstein rounds up all the action from the Bundesliga.

Have a listen and post your feedback below. We’re also on iTunes, Facebook and Twitter, and if you enjoy this type of thing, get your daily dose of fooball with our tea-time email, The Fiver.

James RichardsonBen GreenRaphael HonigsteinSid LoweOwen GibsonRob Smyth