Preview
Club football is returning with a bang as Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates stadium following the just concluded international break.
For the first time in a long time, both sides are struggling outside the top-four positions after what’s been a difficult campaign.
The Reds have struggled to match their lofty standards this season as their title defense is already over.
With just 13 wins from 29 games and nine defeats, Jurgen Klopp’s side are a massive 25 points off runaway leaders Manchester City.
Following a decent run in the first half of the campaign, Liverpool’s form totally nosedived after the turn of the new year. They have even lost six consecutive times at home.
Circumstances are so dire that the defending champions are now facing a race against time to even secure a Champions League spot.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have been hit with the same old problems and sit at a lowly ninth in the standings with just 12 wins and 42 points so far.
Mikel Arteta is walking a tight rope and has just 10 games left to close the seven-point gap on fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur to secure European football next season.
Form Guide: Arsenal
Arsenal could close the gap on Liverpool this weekend to just a single point if former Toffee Mikel Arteta can guide the home side to victory.
The Gunners played out a 3-3 draw with in-form West Ham before the international break and have won three of their last six matches in all competitions.
The hosts have a decent record against Liverpool, winning three of the duo’s last four competitive and non-competitive matches. However, Liverpool claimed a 3-1 win at Anfield back in September and
Arsenal will be well aware of the threat their guests possess in the final third. Willian is a doubt for this game while Saka and Rowe are likely to miss out at the Emirates.
Form Guide: Liverpool
Before the International break, Liverpool looked to be finding their former following up their 2-0 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Wolves in the Premier League.
That momentum might well have been affected during the last couple of weeks but Klopp will just be hoping that his international players report for duty without any further injuries.
Captain Henderson will be joined on the sidelines by Matip, Gomez and Van Dijk this weekend, while there remain doubts over the fitness of Origi, Firmino and Kelleher ahead of the trip to the capital.
How the Match Could Go
There is the possibility of a draw but both sides will fancy their chances at taking all three points. Provided Arsenal can win the battle against themselves by not making silly mistakes at the back, then there is a good chance of a victory. Liverpool have also looked better of late though not at their usual best. They have the necessary firepower to deal with the Gunners if they do make any mistakes. However, Liverpool’s defence has not been the best as well and there might be room to exploit. Unlike recent editions of this fixture, we expect a close encounter here with the winner coming through from individual brilliance/capitalzing on opposition mistakes.
Betting Tip: Over 2.5 goals
If there is one thing a game between Arsenal and Liverpool brings, it’s definitely goals. Five of the last seven meetings between these two clubs have produced over 2.5 goals, and we’re expecting another open and attacking game of football on Saturday. Four of Arsenal’s last six outings have featured at least three goals and the hosts haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last five home games in league and cup. If that isn’t enough, no Premier League fixture has produced more goals than Arsenal v Liverpool with 166 netted in total. Arsenals have conceded more Premier League goals against Liverpool than they have against any other side. Bet9ja and Bet365 have 1.72 odds while 1xbet have 1.83.
Both Teams to Score
Both teams have scored in six of the last seven encounters between Arsenal and Liverpool in competitive and non-competitive matches. Five of the Gunner’s last six outings have ended with both teams getting on the scoreboard, while Liverpool have failed to keep clean sheets in three of their last five league games. Bet9ja have 1.58 odds, Bet365 have 1.61 and 1xbet have 1.69.
Double Chance
We already tipped both teams to score and we expect one team to do better than the other in that regard. This fixture barely ever ends in a draw and we can expect that theme will follow suit on Saturday once again. Bet9ja have 1.27 odds, Bet365 have 1.28 and 1xbet have 1.33.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Arsenal)
Alexandre Lacazette
Lacazette is the top scorer in the Premier League for Arsenal this season with 11 goals and is the only Gunner’s player to have hit double figures in the Premier League so far. The French forward has scored in three of his last four outings in the Premier League, two of which have arrived in Arsenal wins. At the moment, he is the most consistent source for goals for Arsenal at the moment. In actual fact, Lacazette has also scored in his last two games against Liverpool and we’re backing him to do so once again. Bet9ja and Bet365 have 2.50 odds for him to score.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
It’s been a topsy-turvy season for the Gabonese forward. The Gunners captain is without a goal in his last four games and even lost his place in the side against Tottenham due to indiscipline. He returned against West Ham but had a rather quiet outing at the Olympic stadium. However, Aubameyang was on good form for Gabon in the international break and will be looking to carry on with that form as well. Despite his struggles for consistency this term, he remains Arsenal’s top scorer in all competitions with 14 goals to his name. Bet365 have 2.30 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have it better at 2.75.
Anytime Goal-scorer (Liverpool)
Diogo Jota
A fit-again Diego Jota is a big boost for the Anfield side and he netted in his last game against former club Wolves. He’s also scored three goals for Portugal in their last two games and has a real chance of keeping up his form. Firmino only returned from a knee injury and back in training earlier this week. Klopp might genuinely start with Jota instead and the Portuguese will remain a goal threat all through. Similar to Aubameyang above, Bet365 also have 2.30 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have it better at 2.75.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah has a rich history of scoring against Arsenal time and time over again. The goals might have dried up a bit for the Egyptian but he remains joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Kane. If Arsenal make some sloppy mistakes at the back or concede a penalty, Salah would be happy to capitalize and get on the scoresheet. Bet365 have 1.3 while Bet9ja have 2.25.
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.
