Liverpool v Arsenal: Stern Test of Gunners’ Credentials in Anfield Clash

It is very early days still in the Premier League season, but the big games are coming thick and fast, and this weekend’s footballing highlight is undoubtedly Arsenal’s trip north to take on Liverpool at Anfield with an early Saturday evening kick: off time of 17:30 BST.

Both teams have successfully navigated their first two games to have six points on the board, but this fixture will tell the viewing public of how much progression Arsenal – in particular – have actually made following a successful Summer transfer window in bringing in the likes of former Chelsea defender, David Luiz, Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid and Nicolas Pepe for a record transfer fee from Lille.

Now that the Arsenal boss Unai Emery has had a full year to develop his squad into the team he wants following the departure of Arsene Wenger last year, his managerial performance can be fully judged on this season’s efforts.

Liverpool were far quieter in their transfer dealings in the close season, but the current Champions League winners and last seasons’ Premier League runners up have few, or no holes to fill. Jurgen Klopp’s side have begun this season by already claiming silverware in beating Chelsea on penalties to lift the UEFA Super Cup.

Both teams will look to get on the front foot here, and with plenty of top-class strikers on both sides, goals should be virtually guaranteed. In this preview, we will look at some of the key betting markets of the game to try and point our readers towards some profitable advice.

Date: August 24, 2019

Match Odds

Home advantage is the key to this game according to the bookmakers, who make Jurgen Klopp’s side as the favourites to win this contest. And, if you consider the short price of the Merseyside outfit, the margin of victory, could be more than the odd goal.

Liverpool can be backed at the best industry price of 1/2 with William Hill and Coral to take the three points. Arsenal are available at 11/2 with William Hill and Coral once again, while the Draw should be punted with 888Sport at the industry best of 19/5.

There is not a great deal of information to go on this season to try and ascertain who wins this game, but the Merseysiders are unbeaten in the last eight league meetings between the two sides. Reds boss, Jurgen Klopp has yet to taste defeat against Arsenal during his Anfield tenure, with four wins and three stalemates from his seven battles against their North London opponents.

The Gunners will have to show a very stern defensive stability in this game if they are to claim even one point in my view. Liverpool are a very fluid attacking force – especially on home soil – and if Arsenal do not stifle the Merseyside outfit, it could be a difficult evening for the Gunners and their supporters. A high scoring game would not be the biggest surprise in my view, as both teams only know one way to play, which is to attack, and that Is ultimately likely to play into Liverpool’s hands.

Individual Goal Scorers

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool

As previously stated, goals look to be extremely likely in this game if you consider the high level of attacking talent on show. Liverpool’s strike force of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in particular, are in blistering form in recent months and are obvious candidates in the First Goalscorer calculations.

Salah is a top price of 19/5 with Unibet and 888Sport to open the scoring on Saturday evening, and is the standalone favourite. Fellow strike partner, Mane, is narrowly behind the Egyptian however, at 17/4 with the same two firms.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the first Arsenal player involved at 7/1 with Betway to add to his strike against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium last weekend. The former Borussia Dortmund man has evolved into one of the most dangerous strikers in the Premier League and he will be a major threat to the Liverpool defence.

There is a plethora of other potential options to open the scoring in this game, but we will try and condense the potential choices. Liverpool’s Brazilian striker, Roberto Firmino is a 5/1 chance – once again with Unibet and 888Sport. Aubameyang’s likely strike partner, Alexandre Lacazette can be taken at 17/2 with Unibet and 888Sport once again.

Henrik Mkhitaryan and James Milner may well attract punters in looking for value, with both at 12/1 with William Hill for Mkhitaryan and Black Type for Milner respectively. Milner, when on the pitch is Liverpool’s penalty taker and that is an obvious plus.

Other Side Bets

Since 2014, the last six meetings between these two teams at Anfield has seen both teams find the back of the net, so the 10/17 on offer with RedZone highlights some value, and is my strongest bet of the game.

Over 2.5 Goals in this game is a 7/15 chance again with RedZone, but I’m tempted to go one step further in this contest and take on the Over 3.5 Goals market instead at 11/10 with William Hill, and Betway.

The pressure is on in this contest for both teams, but with the roar of the Anfield audience, I expect Liverpool to prevail in a highly competitive clash. With that in mind, the 13/8 on offer with Betfred for Liverpool to Win the Match and Both Teams to Score is definitely worth an interest.

As usual with our betting previews, we like to finish off with a Correct Score selection, and our advice is for a 3-1 win for Liverpool to enhance their claims for a maiden Premier League title. This eventuality can be taken with Sport Pesa and Betfred once again at the best industry odds of 10/1.

Best Bets:

• Both Teams to Score in the Match at 10/17 with RedZone
• Liverpool to Win the Match and Both Teams to Score at 13/8 with Betfred
• Liverpool 3-1 Chelsea Correct Score bet at 10/1 with Betfred