Home of football statistics and historyArsenal can take another huge step towards winning the Premier League title if they beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. The Gunners are the narrow favourites to win the game; you can back them at a casino online with real money if you think Mikel Arteta’s men will leave with all three points this weekend.
Arsenal have led the way at the top of the table for virtually the entire season. Many expected them to fall away but the North Londoners have dealt with everything that has been thrown at them, and they are now in an excellent position to win their first league title since 2004.
A comfortable 4-1 victory over Leeds United last weekend cemented their place at the summit, and Arsenal head to Liverpool on Sunday with an eight point advantage over Man City. The defending champions have a game in hand, but the Gunners are still well placed and a win at Anfield would ensure they maintain the gap with just eight games remaining.
While Arsenal have been flying this season, Liverpool have had a campaign to forget. After years of competing for the title, the Reds are now struggling just to finish in the top four. A dire 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Tuesday night has left Jurgen Klopp’s men in eighth position, seven points off fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand.
Another defeat this weekend would leave Liverpool facing a mountain to climb to qualify for the Champions League next season, so Klopp will be desperate to secure a positive result.
Favourites
Arsenal are the narrow 7/5 favourites with the bookmakers to win the game on Sunday. Liverpool can be backed at 17/10 – which seems like huge odds considering their strong home record and the face Arsenal haven’t won at Anfield in the league in almost a decade.
While their away form is atrocious, Liverpool have actually been very good at Anfield as they’ve won 9 and only lost one of their 13 Premier League games – which is the third best home record in the division. So they will be quietly confident of beating Arsenal and odds of 17/10 will be very tempting for many fans.
Injury concern
Not only that, but Arsenal could be without a key player this weekend as William Saliba is facing a race against time to prove his fitness. The Frenchman has missed Arsenal’s last two games with a back injury that he sustained against Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League last month. Reports suggest Saliba won’t be fit to face Liverpool which will be a huge blow for the Gunners.
With Takehiro Tomiyasu already ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, it means Rob Holding will need to start alongside Gabriel in the heart of defence. Eddie Nketiah is also set to miss out for the Londoners with an ankle issue.
Liverpool have had their fair share of injury issues themselves this season. Virgil van Dijk missed the draw at Chelsea due to illness but he should return this weekend. Luis Diaz could also make his long-awaited return from a serious knee injury but Thiago Alcantara is a major doubt with a groin injury.
It’s going to be a fascinating game between two sides in very different places. Arsenal are on a high, looking to close out the title whereas Liverpool are enduring a torrid season and could miss out on Europe. However, their record at Anfield could ensure they take something from this game.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
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