Bet Philippe Coutinho sparkles in a Bournemouth-Liverpool clash that could well shape up a little bit dull.

The sides shared 11 goals in two meetings last season, with Bournemouth getting six of them.

Not easy to see where this current crop of Cherries might find even one goal between now and Christmas, with a tough set of games on Eddie Howe’s plate - and despite all the brave talk I’m not convinced we’re in for a ding-donger to match last year’s fun-filled 4-3.

A point would be a gift for Howe, and having seen Liverpool huff and puff in the 0-0 against West Brom, that’s a Christmas wish that comes with instructions in plain English. Park the bus.

Liverpool looked weighed down by their 71 per cent possession at Anfield, and clearly find the attack v defence model a burden. But they still created enough decent chances on Wednesday to edge the visitors as often as not.

The coin-flip just went against them.

No coin-flip Liverpool price on offer today (4.30pm) sadly, but with the balance of powers on show, I’m looking to get with the visitors somehow.

If the game shapes tight, then dead-ball situations and shots from distance could come to the fore, and the man for that job is Philippe Coutinho. He’s scored in five of his eight away games so far this season, and 13/8 (Bet365) ‘anytime scorer’ is good enough.

Given his strike-rate for Man of the Match gongs in a Liverpool shirt, it’s surprising to see Hills apparently taking a stand against the little Brazilian wand-waggler - he’s 
co-SIXTH favourite in their MotM list.

Award-magnet Mo Salah (4/1, Paddy) is justly top of the market but that looks like a thin price for this sort of caper.

The over-round – the bookies' built-in profit percentage – on the whole market is eyewateringly hefty, but in isolation 7/1 (Hills) ‘Coutinho to be Man of the Match’ smells pretty sweet today, if you fancy a longshot.

West Brom are on the longest winless run in the club’s history.

It’s long odds-on Jose Mourinho and Manchester United will help extend that historic streak (2.15pm).

West Brom’s lack of bite - five blanks and just 19 shots on target in their last seven games – is a major handicap against a side that boasts 10 clean sheets in 17 PL games so far.

Punt the ‘Manchester United clean sheet’ at the standout Evens (Lads).

Last week: Winner at 5/6