ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - ARSENAL V LIVERPOOL

English Premier

2011-08-20 - Arsenal vs Liverpool

A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps

ARSENAL v LIVERPOOL
Football : England : Premiership
Saturday 20th August - Kickoff 12:45pm

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger's side come into the early Saturday afternoon clash with Liverpool with mixed emotions. The side was held 0-0 at St James' Park on opening day but then won 1-0 against Udinese at the Emirates on Tuesday. For me this is the toughest game of the 3 and we'll see just how good this depleted squad is up against a heavily invested Liverpool side.

Fair play to Arsenal, it's been a really tough week off the field but despite the distractions Wenger's got their first win of the season beating Udinese and they played well at Newcastle despite having 10 men for most of the second half. Unusually for Arsenal it's also back to back clean sheets and given the injury problems (more on them later) it looks even more impressive.

We know with Arsenal that no matter who plays be it the stars or the kids it's going to always be attack, attack and some more attack! It's the Arsenal way and when they are clicking noone can handle them as Barcelona found out last season when despite going a goal up the Gunners came back to win 2-1.

The problem for Arsenal is that tons of their creativeness is missing with Fabregas gone and Nasri not playing with his departure imminent the other players need to step up. Ramsey is a classy midfielder with a bright future but following his horror injury he doesn't look quite the same as he did and that's expected given the severity of what happened to him.

Elsewhere Song is the defensive shield in the midfield so he won't provide, leaving Arshavin, Walcott, Wilshere, Rosicky and new signing Gervinho to provide Van Persie with some scoring opportunities. Rosicky is in a major decline right now and I don't think is top 4 quality, whilst Walcott can be excellent just that he's never fit. Wilshere is most likely out of this game on Saturday and Gervinho who did look sharp last week is suspended. For me this leaves Arsenal plenty short against a very good Liverpool team and it could cost them.

The team news for Arsenal is that Gervinho and Song are suspended both receiving 3 match bans from last weeks draw at Newcastle whilst Diaby, Wilshere and Nasri are also missing. The midfield looks very weak with Ramsey being supported by Frimpong and Rosicky with Frimpong having a huge task in front of the back four this Saturday. Against Udinese, Frimpong was like a headless chicken at times clattering into players all over the place but he certainly looks a good player from what i've seen.

At the back there are question marks over Djourou and Gibbs both of whom came off with hamstring injuries midweek. I expect both to miss the game with the teenager Jenkinson starting at left back with Koscielny and Vermaelen in the middle and Sagna the right back.

Predicted Arsenal Lineup:
Szczęsny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Jenkinson, Frimpong, Ramsey, Rosicky, Arshavin, Walcott, Van Persie.

Liverpool

King Kenny's Liverpool arrive at the Emirates following a really disappointing start against Sunderland. The Reds drew 1-1 despite dominating the game for large portions but as happened many a time last year, they didn't live up to the hype and I'm sure their draw cost a lot of punters last weekend.

I really like this Liverpool side and the signings irrelevant of how much they cost to me, look very good. Dalglish's side have had a torrid pre season but looked set to record a very comprehensive victory last Saturday after the Reds won an early penalty only for Suarez to find row Z with it. The classy Uruguayan eventually found the back of the net and they even had a goal disallowed before Laursen's spectacular goal seemed to defeat them. If they want to take something from Saturday's game they mustn't let their heads drop and I don't think they will at all.

I really like the Liverpool midfield going into this game even if skipper Steven Gerrard is absent from it. Arsenal will line up with a midfield of Frimpong, Ramsey and Rosicky whilst Liverpool can field Kuyt/Henderson, Adam, Downing and Lucas. For me on paper there's only one winner and its the Reds. Against Sunderland they seemed to gel and looked sharp, causing the Mackems plenty of problems I see the same this weekend and if the old saying of if you win the midfield battle you win the game then Pool has a great chance.

Team news is that Gerrard and Skrtel are both missing with Johnson a doubt at right back. The England full back was injured in a pre season friendly but should be fit for this one and he will replace Flanagan. Elsewhere Carragher will partner Agger with Enrique playing on the other side, this defence must be very happy knowing they won't have to contend with Fabregas, Nasri, Gervinho or Wilshere on Saturday that's for sure. Up top we should see Suarez partner Carroll and it's worth noting Carroll gave this Arsenal defence a horrendous time last season and is massive threat.

Predicted Liverpool Lineup:
Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Adam, Lucas, Kuyt, Downing; Suarez, Carroll.

The Betting Verdict

Tough game to call but with Arsenal playing an extra game midweek and losing key personnel it's hard to make a case for them, even though they are at home.

This Liverpool side has a point to prove and must feel they let their fans down last week, this week I expect them to get a result and at least one point.

The midfield is key and I feel Liverpool's is much stronger than Arsenal's right now and if the likes of Adam and Downing can dictate play and feed Suarez and Carroll and away win certainly isn't out of the question.

Good Luck.

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The Pick :

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I don't like a fixed odds punt instead I'll play the Asian market