Premier League Pre-Season Friendlies: Goals galore for Spurs and Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers' confidence hasn't dimmed since Luis Suarez left

Michael Lintorn studies how West Ham, Tottenham and Liverpool's pre-season preparation is going...

Wellington v West Ham
Wednesday, 08:30
Live on BT Sport 1

Match Odds: Wellington 5.85/1, West Ham 1.558/15, The Draw 4.03/1

To the average Premier League fan, Winston Reid is either the best centre back outside the top seven or someone you've barely heard of. However, to the New Zealand public, he is national team captain and an absolute hero, hence why West Ham's pre-season plans have a huge Oceanic dent.

In addition to all the air mile-accumulating, the Irons have thrown money around with the relish with which a juggler fling balls, recruiting Aaron Cresswell, Diego Poyet, Cheikhou Kouyate, Mauro Zarate and Enner Valencia. The new crew are yet to inspire a friendly victory, the first two ending in draws with Stevenage and Ipswich, so lay them again at 1.564/7.

Toronto FC v Tottenham
Thursday, 00:00
Live on BT Sport 2

Match Odds: Toronto FC 3.613/5, Tottenham 2.1211/10, The Draw 3.412/5

Tottenham haven't confirmed any signings yet (though Swansea left back Ben Davies has been photographed and videoed training with the squad), and consequently remain 4.84/1 outsiders for a top-four finish after two years on the outskirts.

Regardless, optimism surrounds the Mauricio Pochettino era at Spurs, enhanced by a breathless 3-3 draw with the MLS standard-setting Seattle Sounders to start pre-season. There is a greater danger of defensive dishevelment as Pochettino tries to adapt a side shorn of its savviest stoppers to a fast-passing style, and over 2.5 goals is judged a 1.51/2 banker accordingly.

Roma v Liverpool
Thursday, 00:30
Live on BT Sport 1

Match Odds: Roma 2.588/5, Liverpool 2.568/5, The Draw 3.45n/a

This is the most enticing pre-season offering to date, featuring the Premier League and Serie A's odd-defying 2013/14 runners-up, in a contest made all the tastier by the difficulty punters are finding in naming a favourite. Liverpool lead the betting by the slimmest margin at 2.568/5.

Despite that, Roma are rated the likelier of the pair to maintain their high standards in 2014/15, due to keeping hold of key men thus far and seeing champions Juventus weakened by coach Antonio Conte's exit. The Giallorossi are 3.814/5 to top Serie A, compared to Liverpool's 13.5n/a in the Premier League.

This columnist is going to swerve picking a winner at Fenway Park and instead advise backing both teams to score at 1.748/11, as was the case in the Reds' first two friendlies.