Premier League preview and odds: Liverpool vs Arsenal

Published on: 10/01/2016

Premier League preview and odds: Liverpool vs Arsenal

January 13, 2016 20:00pm - Anfield

Premier League

Liverpool can give their quest for a top-four finish a major boost at on Wednesday night by overcoming an Arsenal side that will be equally keen to retain their place at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Reds hamstrung by injury crisis

With so many first team players out of action, Jurgen Klopp may have to field an improvised squad once again on Wednesday. The Reds are just three points adrift of the first European qualification spot and six away from the coveted top four positions. However, they are also still involved in three cup tournaments and will need to manage their threadbare squad carefully in the coming weeks.

In their last league match, the Merseyside club were comfortably beaten away to West Ham and the German boss will be looking for an improved performance against the league leaders. They are unbeaten in their last three home games, having won two and drawn the other.

Arsenal still not favourites for title

Arsenal fans will not be getting carried away with their team`s position. The Londoners have topped the Premier League table plenty of times over recent years only to fall away in the final months. As a result, the bookies still have the Gunners as second favourites behind third-ranked Manchester City.

Arsene Wenger`s may be top of the pile but they have won just one of their last four Premier League away matches. That win came away to bottom club Aston Villa. In their last game away from the Emirates, they were thrashed 4-0 by an out-of-form Southampton side. They also drew at Norwich and were beaten at West Bromwich Albion.

Team news

Liverpool are top of the table when in comes to injuries with a total of 11 players crocked including all three of their first choice centre-backs, their Captain Jordan Henderson and star player Philippe Countinho.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are also without some key names including Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez and Jack Wilshere.

Recent form (League)

Liverpool: LWWLD

Arsenal: WWLWW

Betting odds and tips

Arsenal will start as favourites for this game but it should be close. Liverpool could struggle to field a competitive back-line for this match with Kolo Toure their only available first-team centre-back, however, if they can find a way of shoring things up at the back, they have enough options to cover absences in the midfield and forward positions. The Liverpool-Draw Double Chance is available at a tempting 3/5 with Bet365.

With Kolo Toure leading the defensive charge against his old club, the Ivorian could be a worth a small side bet to scoop the man of the match award at 33/1 with BetVictor.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 10/01/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (10/01/2016 16:13:54) but are subject to change.