Arsenal v Liverpool – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Arsenal face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday. The Reds go to the Emirates Stadium with a five-point lead over the Gunners in the title race. Jurgen Klopp’s team have lost just once in their last seven league matches vs Mikel Arteta’s charges.

Arsenal Form

After four losses in seven in all competitions, the Gunners have won successive league games to get back on track. They were beaten at Aston Villa in December before beating Brighton and then grinding out a solid 1-1 draw at Anfield vs Liverpool. Three consecutive defeats followed.

Arsenal lost 2-0 at home to West Ham and were outplayed in a 2-1 defeat at Fulham. A 2-0 home loss to Liverpool followed in the FA Cup despite largely dominating that game. They’ve since taken six points from six available. They beat Crystal Palace 5-0 and won 2-1 at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal are without three injured players for this match with two others on the verge of returns. Thomas Partey is unavailable as he lacks match fitness whilst Jurrien Timber is injured and Takehiro Tomiyasu is away with Japan at the Asia Cup.

Mohamed Elneny is available again after the AFCON whilst Fabio Vieira is nearing availability after groin surgery. Mikel Arteta could recall Kai Havertz in place of Emile Smith Rowe for this one.

Arsenal Motivation

Arsenal needs a win in this match. A draw keeps the gap at five points whilst allowing Man City to build a lead too.

Arteta’s side will need to attack but they may be quite pragmatic against Liverpool’s pressing. Don’t be surprised to see quite a direct game to bypass the press.

Liverpool Form

Jurgen Klopp’s team are in top form right now and are still in four Cup competitions. Their last 16 matches have seen just one defeat and they’ve won six matches in a row now. They won 2-0 at Burnley and dismantled Newcastle 4-2 at Anfield with a record 7.11 xG produced.

After a 2-0 win at Arsenal in the FA Cup, they beat Fulham 2-1 in the Carabao Cup and won 4-0 at Bournemouth with four second-half goals netted. After securing a place in the League Cup final with a 1-1 draw at Fulham, they put Norwich and Chelsa to the sword over the last week or so: 5-2 vs the Canaries and 4-1 vs the Blues on Wednesday.

Liverpool Team News

The Reds have six players unavailable and another who is a doubt. Kostas Tsimikas and Joel Matip are absent in defence and all of Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, and Wataro Endo (international duty) are unavailable in midfield. Mohamed Salah missed out with an injury, too.

Alexis Mac Allister took a knock to the knee against Chelsea but should be able to start this one. Both Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are fit again but Jurgen Klopp may keep faith with Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley in the fullback areas are some excellent outings.

Liverpool Motivation

This is a huge match for the Reds. They will go to the Emirates and play to win the match.

Expect a high pressing and aggressive approach even on the road. Klopp’s team won’t sit back or settle for a draw.

Key Stats

Arsenal have won just once in 7 league matches vs Liverpool

Arsenal have won 8 of their 11 home EPL matches this term

Liverpool have won their last 6 matches (18-2 aggregate)

Liverpool have won 6 and drawn 4 of their 11 away league matches this season

LFC have lost just once in 16 matches in all competitions

Verdict

This should be a very good match. It’s hard to see Liverpool losing in their current form so a draw could be the way to go here. Both sides should score at least once, if not more.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 goals at 1.90

Value Bet: Draw at 3.60

Alternative Bet: Liverpool win/draw double chance + Over 1.5 goals at 2.05

James O'Connor

James is a football analyst who writes about the tactics of the PSL and English Premier League. He holds the UEFA A coaching licence and has previously worked for several clubs in analysis roles.Twitter: https://twitter.com/footy_analysis