ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PREVIEW - LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL

English Premier

2025-08-31 - Liverpool vs Arsenal

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Liverpool v Arsenal
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 31st August 2025 - Kick Off 4:30pm
This game is live on TV

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Liverpool

It has been far from a convincing start to the defence of the Premier League title, but what matters to Arne Slot and Liverpool is that they have played two and won two. This final fixture before the first international break is a big opportunity for Liverpool to really lay down a marker to the rest of the Division by beating the team most expect to be their closest challengers.

A goal scored ten minutes into injury time secured Liverpool a vital three points at Newcastle United on Monday, but they were made to work very hard by the home team, despite being reduced to ten men before half time. That will be a concern, but Liverpool may be ready to dip into the transfer market for another couple of big signings and that would cement their place as favourites to retain the English title for the first time in over forty years.

Liverpool had an unconvincing conclusion to last season, although an excuse could be made that it followed being crowned English Champions. However, the 4-2 win over Bournemouth and 2-3 win at Newcastle United have needed very late goals for Liverpool to get over the line. The Reds are unbeaten in 6 at Anfield since losing to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Liverpool have won 4 of those fixtures.

Jeremie Frimpong has been ruled out and Alexis Mac Allister is a doubt.

Arsenal

In August, the biggest achievement for any club is to win football matches as players rebuild match sharpness. You cannot always expect teams to be playing at peak standard and that has been the case for Arsenal, although the key is that they have won both Premier League games and with room for improvement too.

The Gunners are one of three Premier League clubs with perfect records through the opening two weekends of the season, but Mikel Arteta will know that his team will be judged on this fixture more than the previous two. Too many draws let Arsenal down last season, including 8 in 19 away Premier League fixtures, but they were able to battle for a 0-1 win at Manchester United on the opening weekend.

Arsenal have beaten Manchester United and Leeds United with clean sheets and they are unbeaten in 5 Premier League games having won 4 in a row either side of the off-season. The win at Old Trafford means Arsenal are unbeaten in 15 away Premier League games, although 7 have ended in stalemate.

Ben White, Christian Norgaard and Martin Odegaard are doubts for this big League game. Both Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka are expected to miss out.

Head to Head

Both Premier League games between these expected title rivals ended 2-2 last season.

The last 3 Premier League games between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield have all ended in draws.

Prediction

While you cannot describe this as a title decider in August, for obvious reasons, the starts made by Liverpool and Arsenal suggest they should be right in the mix when the big trophies are being handed out in May.

That is not to say that either team will be extremely happy with the opening performances, but both have won matches without being at their best and that is hugely encouraging for the supporters.

Liverpool look the team with the superior attack, but the defence has been incredibly vulnerable.

On the flip side, Arsenal have looked pretty well balanced defensively and they will be encouraged by the early strikes Victor Gyokeres has put on the board against Leeds United.

The Gunners were far from their fluid best at Old Trafford on the opening Sunday of the season and Mikel Arteta will know that his team have to be a lot better if they are going earn a positive result for the fourth season in a row at Anfield.

Last season they had to fight back from 2-0 down here, but that character can stand Arsenal in good stead as they prepare to batten down the hatches again.

Losing Bukayo Saka for the game is a blow and Liverpool may just have the attacking qualities to edge to the victory.

Wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle United have only happened thanks to very late goals and Liverpool have not been that impressive, especially at the back. However, they do have the strikers capable of making the difference and that may be the case in this big Premier League fixture on Sunday afternoon.

Hosting feels like a huge factor in the contest and you won't be able to back Liverpool at odds against at Anfield too many times over the next nine months.

Mikel Arteta's team have shown something in recent matches against Liverpool that makes them deserving of a lot of respect ahead of this game. Arsenal's defensive work will always give them a chance within matches and Arteta will feel that one goal could be enough to secure a positive result, even here at Anfield.

There is a better depth to the Arsenal options that can make up for the potential absences and they will feel they can cause problems here. Containing Liverpool feels like a big ask though and this could be another high-scoring game between the title rivals, like last season, which suggests backing goals is the best approach to take.

5 of the last 6 Premier League games between Arsenal and Liverpool have ended with at least three goals shared out and that looks the most appealing play with the expectation that both teams will score at least once.

The Pick :

Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Over 2.5 Goals at 1.80 with BetFred