Liverpool vs Arsenal Betting – Premier League Sunday

Barclays Premier League
Anfield
Sunday, 13 December
Kick-off: 4pm

The Kop should finally see the return of Fernando Torres up front, after missing for about six weeks. The mighty Spaniard is much needed up front for Liverpool, as their poor season continued with another defeat in the Champions League in the week. After taking the lead at home to Fiorentina, a late rally by the visitors saw them run out 2-1 winners, ending a miserable campaign in Europe for Rafa Benitez, tallying their lowest amount of points ever in the competition.

With the return of Torres will come the promise of a fresh start for Liverpool. The trouble with Liverpool, is that they have a big squad, with Rafa Benitez making an enormous amount of signings since his tenure there, but, unlike competitors Chelsea and Manchester United, it is hard to see where the true quality of depth is at the club. This is why they have struggled so much this season, especially when the dynamic forces of  Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have been missing. Big summer signing hope, midfielder Alberto Aquilani made his first full debut against Fiorentina, but was largely anonymous, and it was only when he was taken off was that fact even more noticeable. It could be simply that he has missed the entire season so far, and could be a bit rusty. The Reds will need him to come good sooner rather than later.

So it is on to another big fixture for Rafa Benitez, who must feel his shirt collar tightening week in and week out. Benitez has come out publicly stating the Premier League is his priority, which is easy to say when you are already knocked out of the Carling Cup and the Champions League. Things are getting serious now for Liverpool, as their place in the Champions League next season is by no means guaranteed, as they have fallen to the fringes of being a Big Four Team. While Chelsea and Manchester United continue to stretch away at the top of the league, with Arsenal in pursuit, Liverpool are embedded in a dog fight with Aston Villa, Manchester City and notably Tottenham to battle for that golden ticket of finishing fourth.

So a fresh start Rafa Benitez may be hoping for, but their next opponents Arsenal, are a tough opponent, despite being a bit injury stricken themselves. Arsene Wenger threw out the youngster again on Wednesday night, as they had a meaningless game away at Olympiacos in the Champions League. They lost that, but did put up quite a spirited performance, which will have been something for Arsene Wenger to have come away with. Wenger will be missing Toure who starts a ban, and his horse placenta treatment room includes Bendtner, Eboue, van Persie and most recently Tomas Rosicky to name but a few. Still, it will be a vastly different team which Wenger fields on Sunday, to the one that played in the week. Arsenal will be keen to hang on to third place in the Premier League, and the incentive sure is there to do that. They need to cling onto the tails of the top two, as well as keep fierce North London rivals, Tottenham, off theirs.

So where does the betting lie for the big Liverpool vs. Arsenal clash on Sunday?
Arsenal need to reverse recent fortunes against Liverpool, as they have not beaten the Anfield mob in their own back yard in the last five attempts. Arsenal have suffered three defeats, and have gained two drawn matches out of the last five games between the two at Anfield. Liverpool are currently four points behind Arsenal, having played a game more than the visitors, so this is an even bigger contest than it would normally be. A defeat for the home side would put them seven points adrift of the third placed team in the Premier League, still having played an extra game. Arsenal have gotten one over on Liverpool this year, when the young Gunners beat an equally young Liverpool side in the Carling Cup.

One thing you can expect is goals, as Liverpool vs. Arsenal fixtures haven’t produced a scoreless draw in the last decade. Despite looking almost disastrously lightweight up front without Torres, Liverpool to their credit have found the back of the net in the last 18 home league matches. Add to that fact, that Arsenal are the top scoring team in the Premier League, then goals are definitely expected on Sunday.

Betting Statistics
Last 10 head-to-head (all competitions):
Liverpool 2, Draws 4, Arsenal 4

Last Five Head to Head Meetings:
(cc) Arsenal 2, Liverpool 1
(pl) Liverpool 4, Arsenal 4
(cl) Liverpool 4, Arsenal 2
(pl) Arsenal 1, Liverpool 1
(cl) Arsenal 1, Liverpool 1

Last 10 Matches Form
Liverpool W4, D3, L3
Arsenal W7, D1, L2

Liverpool to win: 5/4 at SkyBet
Draw: 12/5 at Stan James
Arsenal to win: 5/2 at Coral

Betting Advice: Arsenal have been struggling against the other Big Four opposition, and hit a mini slump on the domestic scene, which was only reversed in their victory over Stoke last weekend. Their cause won’t be helped by struggling without the injured Robin van Persie. At full strength, there would be a leaning towards Arsenal pinching this game, but because of their long injury list this could peter out into a draw. Liverpool could simply have the edge, just if Torres plays, still, it’ll be worth backing up a bet for an Arsenal draw.
Arsenal +0.25 Asian Handicap: Evens at Bet365