English Premier
2009-12-13 - Liverpool vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Football: England, Premier League
Sunday, 13th December 2009 - Kickoff 16:00
Liverpool (7th) Home : 4-2-1 21:8
Statistics are a funny thing, if I wanted to accuntuate the positive I could say that Liverpool are unbeaten in four league games which sound positive, but a more accurate statement is that Liverpool have only won three of their last 14 matches in all competitions.
Manager Rafa Benitez is under a lot of media pressure and hype, although I'm not sure that it's quite the same within the club, but there is little doubt that this Liverpool squad is not good enough to compete at the top level without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
Fortunately for Benitez and Liverpool fans everywhere, Sunday should see Gerrard, Torres and Alberto Aquilani start a match together for the first time.
Liverpool Team News :
Liverpool are finally in a good position to field their strongest line-up possible with several key players looking to be ready to play.
Fernando Torres could make his first league start for six weeks after recovering from a hernia problem.
Summer signing Alberto Aquilani is in contention to start Sunday's game, having made his full debut in the Champions League defeat by Fiorentina.
Doubtful : Babel (ankle)
Injured : None
Arsenal (3rd) Away : 3-1-3 16:11
Arsenal started the season scoring plenty of goals, and conceding a few too, and for the first couple of months everything looked rosey with Arsene Wenger's side.
But once again, injuries have started to bite, and the loss of Robin Van Persie is a huge blow. Last weekend Arsenal had to field a team without a recognised striker, with Andrei Arshavin taking the lone role up-front, and the Gunners beat Stoke 2-0 but it was a struggle of a performance in the front 3rd of the pitch.
Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-1 in a Carling Cup game at the Emirates Stadium in London six weeks ago, and the Gunners may be force to field a largely second string line-up in this game too.
Arsenal Team News :
Arsenal midfielder Alex Song returns from a domestic ban and is likely to start in a much-changed side from the one that lost to Olympiakos in midweek.
Eduardo (thigh) and Abou Diaby (calf) are hopeful of recovering from injury - but Arsenal still have an extremely long injury list and little cover.
Doubtful : Diaby (calf), Eduardo (thigh)
Injured : Bendtner (groin), Clichy (back), Djourou (knee), Eboue (hamstring), Gibbs (ankle), van Persie (ankle), Rosicky (groin)
THe Betting Verdict
Just compare the two injury lists to know where you should be looking to bet.
Liverpool may be struggling, but will go through Christmas with a complete squad, while Arsenal have al least SEVEN players out.
I'd expect Liverpool to win this game at Anfield around 50% of the time, so the prices significantly bigger than even money are well worth taking.
If this Arsenal squad avoids defeat in this match - then it would be a huge step forward for the young players - but I just cannot see it as a likely occurance.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal (or 1-1 Draw)
