Preview
ARSENAL travel to Liverpool at the start of the build-up week for the Grand National. Their visit to Anfield is expected to be one of the major hurdles this season. In their quest to win their first title in 19 years.
Arsenal head for one of their toughest tests left in the Premier League title race on Sunday. While Liverpool is perhaps not the force of old these days, Anfield is still a daunting place to go.
The Gunners do not hold a good record there but three points on Merseyside. A rare double over Liverpool would undermine their progress. Little about Arsenal would suggest they are close to a slip-up of course but playing in one of football’s most iconic and difficult atmospheres does strange things to teams.
Arsenal have been near faultless over the various obstacles put in their way this season. They have responded nearly every time after just three league defeats all season. They have an eight-point lead on Manchester City going into the weekend fixtures, albeit having played a game more.
It’s been a bleak season for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds after they came ever so close to winning the quadruple last term. Their last hope of salvaging anything from this campaign is a top-four finish. This currently looks unlikely after both Man Utd and Newcastle were victorious in midweek.
Form Guide: Liverpool
With three losses and a draw in their last four games across all competitions, Liverpool is playing more like a team fighting for its playoff life than one trying to qualify for the Champions League. As a result of their recent struggles, the Reds are now in eighth place in the table, 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United after the same number of games.
Liverpool has only managed to score once during that disappointing winless run, but all of those matches have been away from home, and Anfield comforts have mainly continued to be kind to those in Merseyside red during their rocky campaign.
Only Arsenal, Man United, and Manchester City have performed better at home this season than Jurgen Klopp’s team, who have taken 16 of the last 18 available points while maintaining a clean sheet in each of their last four games. Arsenal could use some inspiration from Real Madrid rather than Man United when it comes to prepping for games at Anfield.
Form Guide: Arsenal
Arsenal maintained their eight-point lead over Man City in first place thanks to their thrashing of Leeds, though the champions still have a game in hand and could once again temporarily reduce that gap when they play basement side Southampton on Saturday night. Arsenal was already guaranteed to finish with their best point total since the 2016–17 season.
The Gunners are aiming to win their eighth straight Premier League game this weekend, as well as their fourth straight away from home, after being humiliated by Man City in April. They are by far the best-performing team on the road, having accrued 34 points out of a possible 42.
The Gunners truly made the rest of the division sit up and take notice when they defeated Liverpool 3-2 at the Emirates back in October, and Arteta’s team has scored at least three goals in each of their last five Premier League victories — never before in their top-flight history have they done so six games in a row.
How the game could go
There is no question that Arsenal has what it takes to win at Liverpool this weekend for the first time in more than ten years. The guests have a variety of strategies to take advantage of the weak hosts.
I just have a nasty feeling about this one, though. Given that this will be Liverpool’s first home game in more than a month, the Anfield crowd will be ready for the match on Sunday considering the Reds’ continued dominance at home.
The visitors won’t crumble under scrutiny as they have in recent years, but there are a few things I can see working against them. I believe Liverpool will do Man City a favor this weekend because they still have a propensity for showing up when they’re needed.
Betting Predictions
BTTS (YES)
Both teams will enter the tie on a high following a convincing league win. Bragging rights and a place in the cup final will be at stake on Wednesday, meaning we have all ingredients for a spectacular evening of football at Spotify Camp Nou. Knowing how impressive both Lewandowski and Benzema were at the weekend, we fancy Both Teams to score pick. The primary factors will be Madrid’s offensive difficulties and inconsistent defense. Bet9ja have 1.50 1xbet have 1.58 and Paripesa have 1.58 odds.
Over 2.5 Goals
Since losing to Man City in February, Arsenal has stepped up their game. In addition to claiming seven straight victories, the Gunners have scored a whopping 23 goals. Gabriel Jesus’s return from injury only strengthens their offensive potential, and Arsenal exudes enough confidence to challenge Liverpool on Sunday. Yet, the Reds have scored two or more goals in five of their previous six league games at Anfield. They have enough deadly goal-scorers to fight fire with fire. With those elements in harmony, a stake in more than 2.5 goals is a good fit right now. Bet9ja have 1.60 odds, Paripesa have 1.69, and 1xbet have 1.69 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Liverpool)
Salah
Mo Salah may have everything to prove in this match after being either rested or pulled for the midweek goalless draw at his former club Chelsea. He has a respectable scoring record against Arsenal. The last time his team played a tough opponent at home, he scored twice. Bet9ja have 1.68 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.00.
Anytime Goalscorer (Arsenal)
Gabriel Jesus
In the 4-1 victory over Leeds the previous time out, Gabriel Jesus scored his first goal following a protracted period on the sidelines. He will be in charge of Arsenal’s penalty kicks, making him a strong candidate for a goal at any moment. In his last six games against Liverpool, he has also contributed to six goals (G2, A4). Bet9ja have 3.40 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.30 odds.
Bukayo Saka
Winger Bukayo Saka scored twice when Arsenal beat Liverpool in a dramatic five-goal thriller in October and the 21-year-old can always be relied upon to produce the goods in the biggest games for the Gunners. Saka should test the Reds’ defense again in Sunday’s rematch. Bet9ja have 3.40 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.30 odds.
Extra Tips
Here are a few extra tips we came up with to help for a wider selection.
Arsenal to win corner. Bet9ja have 2.15 odds, Paripesa have 2.19, and 1xbet have 2.19 odds
Arsenal to score first. Bet9ja have 1.88 odds, Paripesa have 1.92, and 1xbet have 1.92 odds
Over 1.5 Goals – Second Half. Bet9ja have 1.80 odds, Paripesa have 1.89, and 1xbet have 1.89 odds.
Vincent, 13:07
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
