Bellamy odds appeal for a Liverpool goal against Wolves

Andy Carroll may have appeared in Liverpool’s opening five games in the Premier League this season, but there are reasons to suggest that Craig Bellamy will get the nod ahead of him in attack against Wolves.

Carroll is still to score in the Premier League this season and has looked massively short of match fitness in the time he has spent on the pitch.

This is even something Fabio Capello picked up on when selecting Carroll in the recent England squad to face Wales and the disappointing performances of the 22-year-old could be partly blamed for Liverpool losing their last two league games.

In a bid to remedy this slump in form, there is every chance that Carroll will be dropped for Bellamy against Wolves, particularly following the Welshman’s impressive performance against Championship high flyers Brighton in the Carling Cup.

Bellamy struck up an immediate understanding with Luis Suarez in the victory and this may be reason alone to allow them to retain their partnership against Wolves.

Liverpool’s odds are 2/5 to beat Wolves, but focusing on the player markets may offer better money-making opportunities for the Anfield showdown.

Bellamy is 6/1 to score the opening goal and 6/4 to strike at any time in the 90 minutes, but preference should certainly be for the former given the Welsh striker’s own fitness concerns.

Knee problems have impacted the amount of games that Bellamy can play and it may be too much to ask of his body to start two games in a week.

But with Liverpool desperate for a victory, the risk may be taken on Bellamy, particularly as he could ensure they get into a comfortable position and then be replaced if needs be.

There is also the arguably that Wolves tend to struggle more against nippier strikers with better movement like Suarez and Bellamy, rather than bigger target men like Carroll.