Liverpool v Arsenal betting

Liverpool: League Position: 7th, League Form: DLWDL

Can the Carling Cup victory over Cardiff last week be a platform to success for this Liverpool team? For them winning was all important, and history will always have their name on a trophy in 2012. But Cardiff were able to hold Liverpool for a long time, and did make their chances.

Liverpool vs Arsenal odds

Liverpool most definitely have not been playing like a team who can take fourth place. Fortress Anfield has not exactly been breached, but the fear factor is certainly gone. They will be happy to be unbeaten in front of their own fans, but a good side needs to be taking more points at home. Drawing eight of their twelve home games has clearly not been good enough. And only three teams (QPR, West Brom and Wigan) have scored fewer goals in front of their own fans. 14 goals is a poor return, and an indication to their approach this season.

Arsenal: League Position: 4th, League Form: LDWWW

A season that looked to be turning for the worse after defeats to AC Milan and Sunderland, in the Champions League and FA Cup respectively, got the sudden jolt it needed on Sunday at The Emirates. Coming into a North London derby billed as the biggest for 20 years they finally looked to have been surpassed by Tottenham. They had every right to be worried that an in-form Spurs could fire themselves away from Arsenal in the league, and that and the defeat in general would have been a bitter pill to swallow for Gunners everywhere. 2-0 down, they erupted into form, taking it to 2-2 before half time and blitzing Spurs in the second, winning 5-2.

That win has given Arsenal, Wenger and everyone involved with the club something to smile about. That positivity will be beyond useful coming into the business end of the season. Arsenal and their great financial model will take a huge blow without Champions League football. They need to come off a big win like that and retain the momentum. It may be more important not to lose at Liverpool rather than go out and seek a win, but they do not have it in their locker to play for the draw.

Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky and Song will all vie for position in their midfield. All of these players will stick to the Arsene Wenger way, keeping the ball on the deck and in Arsenal colours. And with Van Persie still scoring, and Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain in flying form on the wings, they can trouble Liverpool.

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.6 Bet Fred

Liverpool do not thrill at home. They do not thrill away from home either, but that is much more acceptable, and their eight home draws suggest maybe the 3.6 available for such a result is value.

Arsenal should have regained some confidence with their destruction of Spurs at the weekend. They need to come off a big win like that and retain the momentum. It may be more important not to lose at Liverpool rather than go out and seek a win, but they do not have it in their locker to play for the draw.

Arsenal’s inability to play to defend is what leads to the conclusion that there is at least a goal each in this for the sides. Both have won possibly their biggest games of the season in the past week, and should be flying coming into this game.

One man who has got to be on a high is the flying Dutchman Dirk Kuyt. Coming on to have a massive impact in the Carling Cup final, with a goal, a goal line clearance and a converted penalty, Kuyt then set up Huntelaar’s goal in the England v Holland friendly. Can Kuyt carry on his fine form here? 10.00 suggests he’s a good shout for first goal.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Under 2.5 Goals – 2.00 Bet 365

First Goalscorer: Dirk Kuyt – 10.00 Sky Bet

Correct Score: 1-1 Draw – 7.5 William Hill

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