Premier League betting – Arsenal vs Liverpool

Arsenal vs Liverpool betting preview

Third host fourth on Wednesday evening as Liverpool, looking to make it eight unbeaten in the league travel to the Emirates to face a faltering Arsenal side. Liverpool’s hard fought Merseyside success over rivals Everton last weekend meant the gap between third and fourth has been narrowed to just five points. Didier Drogba’s brace against the Gunners’ on Sunday condemned Arsenal to their second defeat in a week, and all but ended their slim title aspirations. Arsene Wenger’s men are pretty poor value at 11/10 to get back to winning ways against the Reds; who themselves are best priced at 11/4 with Victor Chandler. If honours are to end all square, the dray pays out at plausible 12/5 with SkyBet.

The defeat at Stamford Bridge last time out was a bitter pill to swallow for Arsene Wenger and Chelsea’s victory left them nine points adrift of the leaders. Post match Wenger refused to concede the title had slipped out of their grasp but did admit they are now rank outsiders. The Gunners boss may take optimism from the fact his team didn’t play poorly at the Bridge but as was the case against Manchester United a week earlier, they are never more vulnerable when they are on the attack. Sunday’s defeat extended the North Londoners’ winless run to four games, and Arsenal chief now knows his teams only realistic hope of silverware – rests with the Champions League.

Only two points could separate the two teams come Wednesday evening, and a Liverpool victory will surely leave Arsenal looking perilously over their shoulders. Wenger knew the January/February fixture run in would make or break their season, and arguably their last two defeats have broken a campaign which gathered speed when they sat at the summit for a brief stint in mid-January. However, Rafa’s men can rub salt into Arsenal’s already bloody wounds as they look at avenge the 2-1 defeat suffered at Anfield in December.

The pair have met twice already this year and the Gunners have claimed victory on both occasions. However putting the head to head battles to one side, Liverpool recent resurgence in form has furthered their top four ambitions and the battling 1-0 win over Everton will have instilled confidence in a side that; blew any hopes of the title in the first two months, exited the Champions League at the group stages and were shocked by a Reading side that knocked them out of the FA Cup at Anfield. And Despite rumours of boardroom unrest at the club and interest from Juve in their manager, the Reds haven’t dwelled on the past and have shown the fighting spirit necessary to finish in the top four. The Reds have gone over 360 minutes of football without being breached and this is a statistic that will need to continue if they are going to leave the Emirates with anything.

Dirk Kuyt scored against Arsenal when the sides last met and has stepped up to the plate well in the absence of star striker Fernando Torres; the Dutchman has bagged four goals in as many games and at 15/2 is a steady bet to open the scoring on Wednesday. Andrei Arshavin is favourite to score first in the match and can be found at 5s with Boylesports. A 1-1 draw has seen the money and at 11/2 may represent good value.

Arsenal have been shipping goals of late, five in the last two games and personally I think Liverpool will open the scoring on Wednesday. Arsenal have fell behind no fewer than five times at the Emirates this term so why not have a half time-full time dabble with Liverpool to be leading at half time and Arsenal to claim a victory by the end of ninety minutes at a massive 28/1 with Bet365. I think Arsenal will be reeling following back to back defeats and although the title may now be a two-horse race, the fading Gunners’ might just make home advantage count and beat Liverpool by the odd goal. Conversely, the Reds are on a seven match unbeaten streak and are brimming with confidence and 11/4 represents a sound bet if they can continue on this great run.

Reccomended bets: Liverpool to win at 11/4 with William Hill – click for free bet

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