Liverpool vs Arsenal: Preview and Prediction

Saturday 29th December 2018

England Premier League
Saturday 29th December 2018
Kick off at 5:30pm GMT
Venue: Anfield

Match Preview:

At the best of times Jurgen Klopp’s smile is as wide as the Mersey but on Boxing Day they needed to call someone from the Guinness Book of records after Liverpool demolished Newcastle 4-0 and Manchester City slumped to another loss this time at Leicester. It meant that Liverpool had gone 7 points clear of the Premier League champions.

Liverpool have two challengers now though for the title in City and also Tottenham who have gone into 2^nd place and are six points behind. The Reds begin their 2 game judgement time in the league with this match against Arsenal and then Manchester City next week.

There are so many memories of this fixture that we could write a book about it, but Liverpool will be the favourites to get all three points in a game which should be focused on an attack minded approach.

Liverpool remain the only team in the league unbeaten this season and have won their last 5 games at Anfield in a row. Indeed from a possible 27 points they have 25 and incredibly they have conceded just 2 goals here all season. They are, let’s face it, champion material.

Arsenal are still very much in the running to finish in the top 4 and are just 2 points behind Chelsea. However they had a disappointing result on Boxing Day when they could only draw 1-1 against Brighton at home. It also means that Manchester United are looming large and have decreased the gap to Arsenal to 6 points.

Form has not been great for The Gunners with 2 wins from their past five but they remain a very strong unit under Unai Emery. They also drew 1-1 when they played Liverpool at home earlier this season.

The one worry for Arsenal has been their recent away form with just 1 win in their past five and they have gone their last 3 games without victory. Indeed with the way the fixtures have played out they have won just one game away in the past 2 months.

Team News:

Liverpool: James Milner is expected to be back for this game after his minor muscle problem. Alberto Moreno could be back in the squad after his back injury

Arsenal: Laurent Koscielny has a knock but is expected to be ready for this game. Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s foot injury is worse than expected and he may miss the next six weeks. Nacho Monreal will be assessed ahead of this game. The Gunners also have long term injuries to Rob Holding, Danny Welbeck and Hector Bellerin

Liverpool vs Arsenal Head to Head:

The last time Liverpool played Arsenal here they won 4-0.

Arsenal have not won at Anfield since 2012.

Liverpool have scored 18 goals against Arsenal in the last 6 meetings.

In the last 36 meetings only one game has finished 0-0.

Liverpool vs Arsenal Prediction:

Arsenal are not the finished product and if Liverpool can continue to do what they do they should have few problems winning this game. Liverpool are more pressing, attacking and dynamic than Arsenal at this stage in Emery’s career with the club. It would be a surprise not to see Liverpool going in at half time winning this game, only they can lose this by playing a poor match because Arsenal are not at their level. If Emery plays the high game here there will be a lot of goals for The Reds, but Arsenal do not know any game than to attack which should play into Klopp’s hands.

Liverpool vs Arsenal Betting Tips:

Liverpool to beat Arsenal at 1.50

Goal line (Asian total) Over 3 at 1.79

Both teams to score (Yes) at 1.66

Anytime goalscorer: Mohamad Salah at 1.82