Second hosts first in EPL… Who wins between Liverpool and Arsenal?
It is going to be a second vs first fixture in the English Premier League (EPL) on Saturday evening when Liverpool host Arsenal to Anfield.
As things stand, the Gunners lead their Merseyside rivals by one point, but Aston Villa is right behind them and ready to take advantage of any mistakes made by their rivals at the top.
When Arsenal visits Anfield this weekend, Liverpool will be looking to extend their amazing home winning streak. In their 13 games so far at Anfield this season across all competitions, Liverpool has won 12 and drawn one. The Reds, who are still fighting on all fronts after qualifying for the Europa League’s round of 16, gave up their top spot in the table to Arsenal last weekend when they drew 0-0 with Manchester United. Nevertheless, they have since secured their spot in the EFL Cup final four.
With a 2-0 victory over Brighton, Arsenal, on the other hand, recovered from their 1-0 loss to Aston Villa and became the first team in the Premier League this season to prevent the Seagulls from scoring. The Gunners have now won five of their last six Premier League games; however, their only two losses this year have occurred in two of their previous four away games from the league. In addition to matching their record for the most Premier League victories in a calendar year (25), three points at Anfield would make them the first away team to leave the stadium with all three points this season.
There is an uncanny resemblance between the campaigns of Liverpool and Arsenal. With Arsenal on 39 points, the other is on 38. They have both conceded precisely fifteen goals.
Just one more goal has been scored by Liverpool than by the Gunners (36-35), and both teams’ main attacking threats come from their wide forwards.
Given that both teams are on the rise, this is, in many ways, the ideal moment for the match to determine which team is actually superior in current form. With United sneaking away with a draw, Liverpool will be determined to reassert the fear of Anfield in the minds of football fans, while Arsenal will be hoping for their first victory at Anfield in ten games (D3 L7) and under the added pressure of knowing the winner will top the Premier League table come Christmas.
LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL TEAM NEWS
Arriving into this game, Liverpool is plagued by multiple injuries. Those sidelined by injuries are Jota, Thiago, Gravenberch, Robertson, Matip, and Mac Allister. Since Gravenberch’s hamstring injury against Manchester United, Jurgen Klopp will have a midfield selection headache heading into this crucial Reds midfield match.
Injury concerns also affect Arsenal. This game excludes players like Viera, Tomiyasu, Jorginho, Partey, and Timber. Mikel Arteta is anticipated to select the Gunners’ established starting lineup prior to their matchup with Liverpool at the top of the table.
LIVERPOOL vs ARSENAL TIME AND VENUE
Kick-off date is Saturday 23rd December, 2023
Kick-off time is 6:30pm
Venue is Anfield
Referee will be Chris Kavanagh
LIVERPOOL PREDICTED STARTING LINE-UP: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Tsimikas, Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones, Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
ARSENAL PREDICTED STARTING LINE-UP: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.
LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL PREDICTION
Manchester United’s well-drilled defensive effort put an abrupt end to Liverpool’s impressive home form. Arteta might have trouble replicating that.
The Gunners will definitely try to travel to Anfield to win a match for the first time in over ten years, but we think a share of the spoils will have to do for both sides.
We predict : Liverpool 1 vs Arsenal 1
