Liverpool host Arsenal in this weekend’s biggest game and with both managers under varying degrees of pressure there is a lot more than three points riding on this one.
It is thought that both bosses will get until at least the summer to prove they are the right men for their respective jobs but much can change in football and with Liverpool on a run of three games without a win (prior to their midweek League Cup game) they will be desperate for the three points.
That midweek game, away at Championship leaders Bournemouth, is a real banana skin and how the Reds handle that could have a big impact here. Defeat would leave them hugely vulnerable, whilst the extra game is sure to be somewhat unwanted at this time of year regardless of the result.
Both teams have several key injuries to contend with, with Liverpool still without Daniel Sturridge and Arsenal without Aaron Ramsey and a number of defenders. Both sides are considerably further down the Premier League table than they would have expected to be in mid-December, with Arsenal sixth and Liverpool down in mid-table, seven points adrift of fourth spot. However, injury excuses aside, these two teams simply need to finish in the top four and a win here would be a massive result for either side, whilst a draw would probably be an outcome both managers might take were it offered to them prior to kick off.
The odds men make the visitors the favourites, with Arsene Wenger’s men being available at odds of 6/4 with Betfred, whilst Liverpool are 19/10 with BetVictor and the draw is 12/5 with several firms, including Bet365. Arsenal have won five of their last six games but the one defeat, away at Stoke by a 3-2 scoreline, may be telling and their record on the road this term should certainly offer Kopites encouragement, the Gunners having lost all three of their away days at sides currently in the top 11 of the table.
Liverpool v Arsenal Betting Tips
- Draw – We might be sitting on the fence a little here but at 12/5 the draw makes sense in a game between two relatively even teams. Arsenal’s makeshift defence is a major worry whilst, with the Anfield crowd behind them, Liverpool will feel they have a real chance. They’ve drawn three at home already this term and none of their other five league games at Anfield have had more than a goal in it so the stalemate looks good value here.
- Both teams to score – Both are better going forward than at the back, though in Liverpool’s case especially that’s not saying a lot. It could be a cagey affair due to the pressure of the occasion but even so, BTTS is well worth a bet at 8/13 with Ladbrokes
- Correct score of 1-1 – Having tipped the draw and BTTS 1-1 is a logical choice and it is available at tempting odds of 13/2 with BetVictor, whilst 2-2 is priced at 13/1 with the same firm.