Arsenal vs Liverpool preview: team news, odds and prediction

Premier League football returns after the international when Arsenal take on Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium next weekend.

The Gunners have endured a difficult domestic campaign and despite seeing improvements in recent weeks, Arsenal still languish way down in ninth position in the table following a thrilling 3-3 comeback draw at West Ham last time out.

Mikel Arteta’s side are six points behind sixth-placed Tottenham so the north Londoners desperately need a win next Saturday night to boost their chances of finishing in the European qualification places.

However, Arsenal will be up against a Liverpool side who are also chasing vital points as the Merseysiders find themselves battling just to qualify for the Europa League following a disastrous run of form since Christmas.

The defending champions beat Wolves 1-0 last Monday but have lost seven of their last 11 Premier League games – a run which has left them sitting seventh in the table and five points off the top four.

Liverpool favourites

This is going to be a tricky game to predict as both clubs have been woefully inconsistent in recent weeks and neither team is in good form. Therefore, you need to be careful with your money and it’s worth using a bwin welcome offer if you do bet on this match in order to reduce your financial risk.

Despite their horrendous form of late, Liverpool still head to the Emirates as the 6/5 favourites with the bookmakers to win in North London. Hosts Arsenal are available at odds of 21/10 to win on home soil while the draw can be backed at 5/1.

• Arsenal to win – 21/10
• Draw – 5/2
• Liverpool to win – 6/5

Arsenal actually have a decent recent record against Liverpool as they won the League Cup meeting on penalties back in October, won the Community Shield tie in August and won this league fixture 2-1 last season so that will give them some confidence.

However, Liverpool will still be a tough side to face and I can see them getting something from this game. A 2-2 draw looks tempting at odds of 9/1 and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a solid bet for first goalscorer at odds of 2/1.

Saka a doubt

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is an early doubt after being ruled out of England duty with a thigh injury that he picked up earlier this month.

Martin Odegaard will also have to be checked after being forced off with an ankle injury while playing for Norway last week while Willian is carrying a calf problem.

As for Liverpool, they’ll still be without defensive trio Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip while Jordan Henderson is another long-term absentee.

Divock Origi is a doubt with a muscle injury but Roberto Firmino is expected to recover from a knee problem and make the trip to north London next weekend.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool – Both sides desperately need a win to boost their European qualification hopes but we predict an entertaining draw at the Emirates.