English Premier
2021-11-20 - Liverpool vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 20th November 2021 - Kick Off 5:30pm
This game is live on TV
Liverpool
There were some excuses offered for Liverpool's defeat to West Ham United a couple of weeks ago, but not many could be taken seriously by those outside of the club. Privately, Jurgen Klopp may be a little worried by some of the defensive performances produced by his Liverpool team and will be looking for them to be a little stronger at the back if they are going to mount another title challenge.
The defeat at the London Stadium dropped Liverpool down to 4th place in the Premier League table and they are 4 points behind the leaders Chelsea. The gap could be bigger by the time this game kicks off, but Liverpool have to focus on themselves and improving the 2-3-0 record at Anfield where they have scored 10 goals, but conceded 5.
Liverpool's long unbeaten run was ended in the defeat to West Ham United, but the worry for the manager is that it is the fifth time in 10 games that they have conceded at least twice. They did beat Atletico Madrid comfortably in the Champions League in their last game at Anfield, but Liverpool have drawn back to back Premier League games at home by the same 2-2 scoreline.
Injuries are piling up at Liverpool- James Milner, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones are all doubts. Roberto Firmino has been ruled out, while Jurgen Klopp will be waiting nervously for Andrew Robertson and Sadio Mane to return from international duty where they both picked up knocks.
Arsenal
There have been times when Arsenal have ridden their luck, but a young team has knuckled down to churn out a really good run of results ahead of a tough few weeks in the Premier League. The absence of European Football may have helped Mikel Arteta to work with his younger players and Arsenal have responded with some big results.
The strong run has seen Arsenal climb up to 5th in the Premier League table and just 2 points behind the Champions League places, while they are also going to be strong favourites in the League Cup Quarter Final next month. The Gunners have a 2-1-2 record away from home in the Premier League and they have scored 3 goals and conceded 7 in those fixtures.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions since their 5-0 defeat at Manchester City and they have won 8 of those games, including the last 4 in a row. They have earned 7 points from a possible 9 away from home since that thumping in the North West and Arsenal have kept clean sheets in each of their last 3 on their travels.
Thomas Partey is hoping to be passed fit for this big League game.
Head to Head
Liverpool did the Premier League double over Arsenal last season, although Arsenal beat them on Penalties in the Community Shield and League Cup.
The Reds have won 5 home League games in succession against Arsenal and scored at least three goals in each of those wins.
Prediction
After a really poor August, Arsenal have been motoring up the League table over the last couple of months.
There have been some impressive performances and results in that time, most notably being the 0-2 victory at Leicester City, but Mikel Arteta is going to find out plenty about his team this weekend. This time Arsenal will be significant underdogs when they head to Anfield to take on a genuine title contender, but The Gunners may be visiting at the right time.
Injuries have hurt Liverpool throughout the squad and they look like they could be down another couple of players after international duty. The squad is being stretched again and Liverpool have looked a little vulnerable of late, even if those cracks were papered over in the big win at Manchester United.
In their last couple of Premier League games, Liverpool have conceded five goals to Brighton and West Ham United and that is a major concern for them. They could be without Andrew Robertson this weekend too, while they are likely down at least one key midfielder too.
It gives Arsenal a chance here, but they will have to be careful with their defensive performance regardless of what their results may tell you. Arsenal have been earning clean sheets, but Leicester City and Burnley have created good chances against them and Liverpool are the form team in the Premier League when it comes to attacking output.
Sadio Mane would be a big absentee to add to Roberto Firmino and that is the one worry for Liverpool, but Mohamed Salah is available and should be good to go. He has played like the best player in the world and Salah has scored plenty of goals against Arsenal, as he has against most teams he faces.
Liverpool have been very creative at home and they are scoring goals for fun no matter where they play, so it is a big test for Arsenal and where they are at with their own football. The young players have performed without any fear, which makes Arsenal dangerous, but they might not be able to weather the Anfield atmosphere in the late kick off and Liverpool have largely dominated Arsenal in recent years.
In home games in the Premier League, Liverpool have scored a hatful of goals against Arsenal in recent seasons and they can come out and get the better of an overachieving team with a good looking win in front of the television cameras.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back Liverpool - 1.25 Asian Handicap at 2.05 with BetVictor
