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Big Game Focus: Liverpool v Arsenal

Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Arsenal - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - December 29, 2018 Liverpool's Roberto Firmino scores their fifth goal from the penalty spot to complete his hat-trick REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

 

Liverpool host Arsenal in another Premier League nail-biter on Saturday at Anfield. Both teams have won their two matches this season and will be looking to continue with that run when they meet. Liverpool have had Arsenal’s number in the last few seasons at home, but can they continue with this run? Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the Premier League here. 

Liverpool are hoping to make it a hat-trick of wins from their first three games when they host Arsenal who’ve also won both their matches. However, their 2-1 win over Southampton last weekend may have catapulted them to the top of the pile, but this season has raised some concerns for Jurgen Klopp’s men. Last season’s runners-up have conceded four goals in three games which includes the UEFA Super Cup. In attack, they look ruthless. They have netted eight goals in three games this season. Moreover, the Reds hammered Arsenal 5-1 at home last season but can we expect a similar score line?

Unlike last season, the Gunners have begun well, as they won both their matches, against Newcastle and Burnley. However, the Gunners have been tormented at Anfield in the last few seasons. They have lost in their last three visits whilst conceding a staggering 12 goals in the process. They struggled defensively against Burnley last time out and they’ll have to tighten things up in Merseyside or risk and another embarrassing result.

Betting preview

Liverpool have won 11 consecutive Premier League matches. The Reds have beaten the Gunners the last three times at Anfield and are unbeaten against them in the last eight league matches. Therefore, you can back a Home Win at odds of 1.50. 

The hosts have scored in their last 11 league matches while the Gunners have scored in their last four matches. Arsenal are known for their defensive fragility, given they kept just one away clean sheet last season. Both teams have also scored in ten of the last 12 meetings. You can back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.55. 

No Premier League fixture has seen more goals than this one, with 155 goals in 54 games. Eight of the last ten matches in this fixture have seen three or more goals scored. So you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.45. 

Sadio Mane has scored five goals in ten matches against Arsenal. The Senegalese international is also in a rich vein of form having scored 19 goals in 2019 for the Reds in all competitions, with only Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero (20) scoring more with 20 for a Premier League side. For that reason, you can back Mane as Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 2.10. 

Team news. 

Naby Keita is set to miss out for Liverpool due to a groin problem, while Alisson Becker remains out of action, meaning Adrian will continue in goal. Nathaniel Clyne is the only other long-term absentee for Klopp. Dejan Lovren will be pushing for a starting spot at Anfield.

David Luiz made his first start for Arsenal against Burnley and should retain his spot alongside Sokratis Papastathopoulos. Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock have started both of the opening games of the season and Unai Emery will find it hard to drop either at Anfield.

Possible line-ups

Liverpool: Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Milner, Fabinho, Henderson, Salah, Firmino, Mane

Arsenal XI: Leno, Maitland-Niles, David Luiz, Sokratis, Monreal, Guendouzi, Willock, Ceballos, Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang

 

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