Arsenal take on Premier League champions Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium this evening. Here is our betting preview for the game…
The Gunners need to get back on track following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham as it’s left them sitting way down in ninth position in the table and in real danger of missing out on European football for the first time since 1995.
Arsenal need to finish Fifth, sixth or seventh to qualify for the Europa League next season but they trail fifth-placed Manchester United by nine points with a far worse goal difference so the aim is to finish above Wolves or Sheffield United.
Currently, Wolves sit five points ahead while the Blades have a four-point advantage in seventh so Arsenal are under immense pressure to get a positive result tonight or their European hopes would be all-but over unless they can win the FA Cup.
Therefore, the last thing Mikel Arteta needs is to be facing-off again arguably the best team in Europe. Liverpool have already wrapped-up the title by a record margin and they’re now aiming to break the 100-point barrier so they too need a positive result at the Emirates tonight.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are on 93 points following a 1-1 draw with Burnley at the weekend and need seven points from their last three games to reach 100 points for the season so they won’t be giving anything away easily against Arsenal.
Team news
The Gunners will be without Bernd Leno, Pablo Mari, Gabriel Martinelli and Calum Chambers due to long-term injuries while Eddie Nketiah remains unavailable due to suspension.
Matteo Guendouzi is also set to miss out once again having been isolated from the squad by Arteta but Mesut Ozil could return after overcoming a back injury that’s hampered him in recent weeks.
As for Liverpool, they’re expected to be without James Milner as he’s nursing a hamstring injury while Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson won’t play again this season due to foot and knee injuries respectively.
Betting odds
Despite being the away side, Liverpool are the 20/23 favourites to win the game this evening according to the latest soccer betting odds while the draw can be backed at 3/1. Arsenal are also priced at 3/1 to win the game, which are large odds considering they’re the home side.
These games usually have plenty of goals and given Arsenal’s sloppy defence, I think Over 2.5 match goals at odds of 8/13 is a solid bet. You could go one step further and bet on Over 3.5 goals at 31/20.
Arsenal usually always score at the Emirates but Liverpool’s attack should get plenty of opportunities against a weak back-line so Liverpool to win and both teams to score looks like a great bet at 11/5.
Predicted score
Arsenal desperately need at least a point to boost their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League and they have a strong record on home soil so they’ll be hoping to cause a bit of an upset this evening.
However, Liverpool are a formidable side and will be determined to reach the 100-point mark so I don’t see them losing this game. A high-scoring draw is possible if Arsenal really turn up but we’re backing Liverpool to edge it 2-1 which can be backed at odds of 7/1.
Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool
