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Liverpool v Arsenal
English Premier League
Anfield
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Kickoff: 16:00 GMT
For all the brouhaha, Liverpool are only 4 points off 3rd placed Arsenal and with only the League left to play for, there’s every chance that they can get themselves back in the top four mix before the end of the year.
The title race could be a different story – even Arsenal, 8 points off the top and with a game in hand, look rank outsiders for the title. A few defeats / wins could flip the top of the table on it’s head though, which makes this game all the more important for Liverpool and Arsenal to win.
Editor: The Soccerlens Podcast previews the Liverpool-Arsenal game and also talks about Arsenal Christmas parties.
Liverpool Preview
Liverpool’s record in their recent ‘big’ Premier League clashes reads quite well – they’ve beaten Manchester United and Everton. The trouble is – they’ve failed to win in the other six of their last eight Premier League games. What’s worse, they’ve only won two out of their last nine games in all competitions.
They even lost to Fiorentina at home in midweek, a game that was a dead rubber for the Italians and one that Liverpool could have used to build some momentum in their league campaign.
Summer signing Alberto Aquilani started against Fiorentina but could be relegated to the bench again, while Fernando Torres (who came off the bench in midweek) should start. Liverpool’s main excuse this season has been their injuries – with Torres and Aquilani returning to fitness, we will see over the next few weeks how Liverpool perform with a nearly-full complement of players.
Probable Liverpool Lineup: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Insua; Lucas, Mascherano; Kuyt, Gerrard, Aurelio; Torres.
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Arsenal Preview
Arsenal are just 8 points off the top of the table and have a game in hand, so mathematically at least they’re in the middle of the title race going into the Christmas period.
However, in all their big tests so far this season, Arsenal have failed. They lost both their league games in Manchester, lost at home to Chelsea, and then lost in the Carling Cup away in Manchester again.
Add to this their injury list, and there is a clear need for certain players (Arshavin, Eduardo, Nasri) to step up in support of Fabregas and make the difference for the team.
Arsenal have not won at Anfield in the league since October 2003. In five subsequent meetings they have drawn two and lost three. Last season’s meeting was remarkable, a 4-4 draw in which Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin scored four goals and still failed to finish on the winning side.
Tomas Rosicky is the latest Arsenal casualty, joining Kieron Gibbs, Robin van Persie Gael Clichy, Nicklas Bendtner and Johan Djourou on the sidelines.
Probable Arsenal Lineup: Almunia; Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Traore; Fabregas, Song, Denilson; Nasri, Eduardo, Arshavin.
Liverpool v Arsenal Predictions
Last season saw both league games end in draws, and the season before that was the same. Liverpool look more likely to raise their game against domestic opposition though, so maybe they’ll nick a win?
Soccerlens Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
Make your own predictions on the Liverpool v Arsenal game and other weekend Premier League games on the Soccerlens Predictor.
Watch Liverpool v Arsenal Online
You can watch Liverpool take on Arsenal live online as well as dozens of other Premier League and European football games. Read our live Premier League football page for more details.
