Full match preview for Liverpool v Sunderland on 3 December 2025. Tactical analysis, team news, predictions and betting tips, plus Paddy Power’s 50/1 goal offer.

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Paddy Power Welcome Offer: Get 50/1 for a goal to be scored in Liverpool vs Sunderland

Kick off: 20:15 GMT

Venue: Anfield

Big Picture: Stakes & Context

This Premier League clash carries real weight for both sides. Sunderland’s impressive rise to 6th place has become one of the storylines of the 2025/26 campaign — a team defying expectations with disciplined structure, sharp counter-attacks, and a growing belief they belong in the European conversation.

Liverpool, sitting 8th, have been inconsistent but remain dangerous. Arne Slot’s side have struggled for rhythm in patches, yet they retain one of the league’s strongest attacking profiles. With only a few points separating mid-table from Europe, a statement result tonight is vital.

For punters, this match is also tied to a compelling betting angle: Paddy Power are offering new customers 50/1 on Over 0.5 Goals — a market that has landed in 100% of Liverpool and Sunderland’s league games this season.


Recent Form & Head-to-Head Trends

Liverpool

  • Mixed form across their last six fixtures, with strong performances often followed by dropped points.

  • They’ve scored in every Premier League home match this season but remain vulnerable on the break.

  • Defensively improving, but clean sheets are still inconsistent.

Sunderland

  • One of the league’s toughest teams to break down, with five wins in their last eight matches.

  • Strong away form has fuelled their top-six push, with goals in all but one away fixture.

  • Their counter-attacking threat has punished several top-half sides already this season.

Head-to-Head

  • Liverpool dominate recent history, especially at Anfield.

  • However, Sunderland’s current tactical identity gives them a more competitive edge than in previous years.

Most importantly for the Paddy Power angle:
The last 18 Liverpool–Sunderland meetings have seen at least one goal scored.


Team News & Injuries

Liverpool

Arne Slot is expected to field a strong, energetic side.

Likely absences include:

  • Conor Bradley

Positive signs:

  • Isak scored in recent fixture and due to start
  • Allison is available again.

Sunderland

Sunderland travel with a near full squad and no new injury concerns.

  • Habib Diarra (Long term)

The visitors have enough attacking pieces to create moments — which further boosts the expectation of goals.


Tactical Preview & Key Battles

Liverpool’s Approach

Expect:

  • Heavy pressing in midfield
  • Width through full-backs
  • Direct balls into Isak or Gakpo
  • High shot volume, even with rotation

Liverpool’s style ensures the game rarely stays quiet for long. Their ability to pin teams back guarantees sustained pressure phases.

Sunderland’s Approach

Sunderland will likely:

  • Sit deeper in a mid-block
  • Counter through Traore and Talbi's and pace out wide
  • Use Le Fee between the lines
  • Target transitions rather than extended possession

Set-pieces or fast breaks could provide Sunderland opportunities, making them more likely to contribute to the scoreline.


Key Battle: Liverpool’s Press vs Sunderland’s Transitions

The early phases will be decisive:

  • If Liverpool’s press suffocates Sunderland, chances will come quickly.
  • If Sunderland bypass the first press, they can create dangerous counters.

In either case, both outcomes favour the chances of a goal being scored at some stage — which aligns perfectly with the betting angle.


Predicted Starting XIs

Liverpool Predicted XI

Alisson
Gomez – Konate – Van Dijk – Robertson
Gravenberch – MacAllister – Szoboszlai
Wirtz – Isak – Gakpo

Bench options include Salah, Ekitike and Chiesa. 

Sunderland Predicted XI

Roefs
Mukiele – Ballard – Alderete – Reinildo
Xhaka – Sadiki
Traore – Le Fee – Talbi
Isidor

Expect late introductions from Brobbey, Adingra and Mayenda depending on match state.


Prediction & Betting Angle

Analytical Take

The probability of a goal in this match is extremely high:

  • Liverpool score in nearly every home appearance
  • Rotations introduce defensive instability
  • Attacking players on both benches increase late-scoring likelihood

Paddy Power New Customer Offer (50/1)

Paddy Power’s Over 0.5 Goals at 50/1 for new customers is exceptional value given the match profile.

A single goal — at any time, by either side — is enough to trigger the payout (credited as free bet builders after a qualifying stake).

With Anfield atmosphere, attacking rotations, and both sides capable of creating chances, this market is overwhelmingly favoured to land.

Claim 50/1 Paddy Power New Customer Offer


My Verdict

Expect goals — likely early, and possibly more than one.

A realistic scoreline:

  • Liverpool 3–1 Sunderland
  • Alternative: Liverpool 2–0
  • Another option: Liverpool win & both teams to score

But for the promotional angle, over 0.5 goals remains the standout pick.


What to Watch During the Game

  • Liverpool’s winger rotations: early chances almost guaranteed
  • Sunderland counters: Talbi's pace is a threat
  • Set pieces from both sides
  • Last 15 minutes: goals come late at Anfield more often than not

Summary

  • Stakes: Liverpool need to find form; Sunderland chasing another scalp. 
  • Team news: Liverpool’s depth gives them control; Sunderland must rely on transitions.
  • Tactics: Open match, high tempo, chances at both ends.
  • Prediction: Liverpool to win.
  • Betting highlight: Paddy Power 50/1 on Over 0.5 Goals — high-value for an extremely likely outcome.

Paddy Power Offer: Terms and Conditions

Who can take part?

  • New customers only. Available to residents of the UK & Republic of Ireland.

How & when can I qualify?

  • Open a new account using promo code YFBDET
  • Deposit a minimum of £5 by Pay by Bank, Cards or Apple Pay.
  • Place a max £1 bet on “Over 0.5 Goals” in the Over/Under Goals market in Liverpool v Sunderland English Premier League match on Wednesday, December 3rd. 
  • Cashed Out, Partially Cashed Out and Power Price bets will not count towards the promotion. If you place a qualifying bet and subsequently use Cash Out on the bet, you will no longer be eligible for the promotion.

What can I win?

  • If your bet is successful, you will be paid in cash based on the normal price on site and will have the extra amount, bringing the bet up to the cumulative 50/1 payout, credited in free bet builders

When will I get my prize?

  • You will receive your Free bet after your qualifying bet settles. Free bet builders are valid for 30 days.

What else do I need to know?

  • Best odds guaranteed does not apply to bets placed with a free bet, or partial free bet.
  • You can use part of your free bets and save the rest for later as long as you use it before they expire. Stakes are not returned with winnings if your free bet wins. Your winnings will be credited to your main wallet.
  • If we find that you have taken part in this promotion using a duplicate account or that you have used more than one account to participate, we reserve the right to withhold your free bets and any winnings earned on the duplicate account.
  • Deposits made with e-wallets including: PayPal, Skrill, Paysafe and Neteller will not count towards this promotion.
  • The offer excludes the following bet types: Canadian, Goliath, Heinz, Lucky 15, Lucky 31, Lucky 63, Patent, Super Heinz, Trixie & Yankee.

SAFER GAMBLING NOTICE

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.

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