Arsenal vs Liverpool predictions & match preview

Gameweek 11’s standout match comes at the Emirates Stadium, with Unai Emery’s Arsenal taking on Liverpool on Saturday evening.

Both sides have been in impressive form throughout September and October. Up until their draw with Crystal Palace last Sunday, Arsenal had been on an 11-match winning run in all competitions, while second-placed Liverpool are still yet to lose a Premier League game this season.

The hosts will know that a win here would put them just one point behind the Reds, but Jurgen Klopp’s side will be well rested going into this match, with no Carabao Cup fixture to disturb their preparations this week.

Read on for Arsenal vs Liverpool live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats, and TV channel info.

When is Arsenal vs Liverpool?

Competition: Premier League

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Date: Saturday 3rd November

Kick-off: 5.30pm

Strangely, this is one of two Saturday evening kick-off’s this week, with Wolves set to host Spurs after this match at 7.45pm.

Match Preview

Arsenal v Liverpool promises to be a fascinating tie, especially considering the high scorelines from the most recent matches between these two sides.

There have been a huge 27 goals in the last five meetings between Arsenal and Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp’s most recent head to head battle with Unai Emery came in the 2015/16 Europa League final, with the Reds playing the Spaniard’s Sevilla side in Basel. Klopp’s side were 1-0 up at half-time, but an impressive second-half showing from Emery’s team saw them go on to win the match 3-1.

Liverpool will be wary of this happening again, with Emery’s Arsenal team also building a real reputation as ‘a second-half team’ so far this season.

Results like the one in that Europa League final are exactly why Klopp has chosen to strengthen his Liverpool squad in the way that he has. The £66m goalkeeper Alisson arrived earlier this year in an attempt to minimise the cheap goals the Reds were conceding and the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson have also been brought in since that final for the same reason.

For the hosts, this match is about getting a result to stay in and around the top four, while Liverpool know this is the sort of game they will need to win if they are to seriously challenge Manchester City for the title this season.

Where can I watch live?

Viewers in the UK will be able to watch Arsenal vs Liverpool live on BT Sport 1, BT Sport 1 HD and BT Sport 4K UHD, with coverage starting at 5pm.

The game is also available to watch on fuboTV for US-based viewers.

Who’s ready to play at full-back for Arsenal?

The Gunners could have an issue in both full-back positions this one, which isn’t the most ideal situation against a team like Liverpool.

Granit Xhaka has had to fill in at left-back in recent weeks, with Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac both hampered by hamstring injuries.

In a further blow, first-choice right-back Hector Bellerin limped off with a thigh injury against Crystal Palace last weekend, too.

Arsenal say they are still assessing the fitness of all three players ahead of this match and it may be that Emery is forced to make some late decisions on the availability of the trio.

If none are available, then we’re likely to see Stephan Lichtsteiner start at right-back, with Xhaka filling in on the other side again.

Will Aubameyang and Lacazette both start?

This is the big question.

Lacazette has got the nod in the central striking role in recent weeks, with Aubameyang having to settle for a wider role when selected.

There have been occasions where Emery has left either of these players on the bench, but both started in the Gunners’ draw at Selhurst Park last weekend. Aubameyang came off the bench in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Blackpool on Wednesday, but Lacazette wasn’t involved.

Emery may feel that Arsenal need to be well-disciplined off the ball against Klopp’s team, which could mean that he only selects one of Arsenal’s potent attacking pair.

However, with Aubameyang currently the Premier League’s joint-top scorer, on seven goals, and with Lacazette playing a crucial part in the Gunners’ success so far this season, it’s more likely both players will be chosen.

How will Klopp set Liverpool up?

The Reds boss has some tough decisions to make himself, with Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita both injured.

Liverpool have thrived in a 4-2-3-1 formation in their last two matches, scoring four goals against both Red Star Belgrade and Cardiff City, but it may be that Klopp wants three central midfielders to start this game, with the intentions of his side looking to outnumber Arsenal in the middle.

Here are three options Klopp will be considering.

1. Stick to the 4-2-3-1, start Shaqiri

This would see Klopp go with the same system that has worked well for his side in recent matches.

Adam Lallana got the nod on the right side of the attack in the Reds’ win over Cardiff last weekend, but with one goal and three assists in his last four appearances, it’s likely that Shaqiri would play if Liverpool opted for this system.

2. Revert to the 4-3-3, bring in Milner

James Milner, who started the season so impressively for Liverpool, was left on the bench for both of Liverpool’s last two matches.

We think there’s a good chance Klopp will feel Milner will be vital for a game like this. If he does play, it may be that the Liverpool boss chooses a midfield that he knows will work hard and be tough for Arsenal to play through.

3. Use Shaqiri in a three-man midfield

This option provides Klopp with the numbers he will want in the centre of the park, but also gives Liverpool an attacking edge, with Shaqiri starting as a number eight.

Fabinho has started Liverpool’s last two matches, having hardly been involved up until then, and Klopp may want to take him out of the firing line for such a testing encounter.

The only question mark with this choice is whether the Liverpool boss will feel Shaqiri is reliable enough defensively to play in a three-man midfield against Arsenal.

Head-to-head

As previously mentioned, matches between these two usually mean goals.

Both managers will be hoping they don’t concede as many as they have done in recent years, though, particularly Klopp, whose Liverpool side boast the second-best defensive record in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool haven’t lost to Arsenal since April 2015, winning three and drawing three of their last six encounters against the Gunners.

The last match between these two sides ended in a 3-3 draw at the Emirates. Liverpool took an early 2-0 lead but found themselves 3-2 down in the second half, only for Roberto Firmino to salvage a point.

Arsenal wins: 78

Draws: 60

Liverpool wins: 86

Team news

One player that definitely won’t be available for Emery’s side on Saturday is Matteo Guendouzi, who is serving a one-match suspension after being sent off in Arsenal’s win against Blackpool on Wednesday.

Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac and Hector Bellerin all face late fitness tests, whilst centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos is also a doubt with an ankle injury. Rob Holding is likely to continue alongside Shkodran Mustafi if the Greece defender is not available.

Mohamed Elneny and Laurent Koscielny will not be involved.

Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Friday that both Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita won’t be available for the Reds’ trip to North London.

Henderson missed Liverpool’s wins over Red Star Belgrade and Cardiff after picking up a knock during their first match following the international break against Huddersfield.

Keita, meanwhile, has not featured for Liverpool since picking up an injury with Guinea on international duty.

Mohamed Salah is fine to be involved, despite being pictured wearing a supportive cast on his right arm in training this week. Klopp says that’s just a precaution because of muscle inflammation.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Leno; Lichtsteiner, Mustafi, Holding, Monreal; Torreira, Xhaka; Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah, Mane, Firmino.

Squawka Prediction

We think Arsenal will finally be made to pay for their slow starts to matches against the Reds this weekend. Arsenal 1-3 Liverpool.

Predictions and betting tips

1. Liverpool to score over 3.0 goals @ 9/2

Liverpool have scored three or more goals in each of their last five games against Arsenal and are one of the most lethal attacking teams in Europe right now.

Salah, Mane and Firmino all seem to be fit and firing and, despite an impressive unbeaten run, Arsenal still appear shaky at the back.

With the likes of Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac and Sokratis Papastathopoulos all injury doubts, Arsenal may have to play a makeshift defence on Saturday.

Tip: Liverpool to score more than 3.0 goals @ 9/2 with BetBull – Bet here

18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org

Odds correct as of 14.30, 02/11/19

2. Granit Xhaka the first player to receive yellow card @ 15/2

Guendouzi is suspended, so Xhaka could be called back into midfield. However, with Bellerin, Monreal and Kolasinac all facing late fitness tests, Emery might be forced to field the Switzerland international at left-back again, in which case he will be up against Mohamed Salah.

Salah has won 10 fouls over the course of the top-flight campaign so far, while Xhaka has conceded the highest number of fouls of any Arsenal or Liverpool player in the Premier League this season.

Tip: Granit Xhaka the first player to receive yellow card @ 15/2 with BetBull – Bet here

18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org

Odds correct as of 14.30, 02/11/19

3. Liverpool to win by two or three goals @ 14/5

With Liverpool’s attacking players having found form in recent weeks, they have every chance of continuing their recent record against Saturday’s opposition, especially against an Arsenal backline plagued by injuries.

If the Reds score early and quieten down the home crowd, the Gunners could be in real trouble.

Tip: Liverpool to beat Arsenal by two or three goals @14/5 with BetBull – Bet here

18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.Org

Odds correct as of 14.30, 02/11/19

The post Arsenal vs Liverpool predictions & match preview appeared first on Squawka News.



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