Arsenal vs Liverpool - Premier League Team News and Prediction
In any of the other major leagues in world football, a clash between ninth and seventh in the table wouldn't exactly steal focus. In Italy, Verona would be hosting Lazio, in Germany, Stuttgart would welcome Union Berlin and in France, Rennes would travel to Metz.
Depending on how you look at it, then, the fact that Arsenal and Liverpool occupy those positions in the Premier League either tells you all you need to know about the quality of English top-flight football or the downfalls of two of the countries biggest clubs.
Regardless of the standings, this is still a huge game after all, with Arsenal scrapping for a place in the top six and Liverpool still clinging on to hopes of a top four finish. Dropped points here for either team could prove decisive.
When is kick off?
Saturday 3rd April, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Emirates Stadium, London
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event
Form Guide
In terms of the form table over the last six matches, while neither are pulling up trees, Arsenal's points haul of 11 places them sixth, while Liverpool are way down in 16th with just six points in that time. The Reds will probably be pleased to get away from Anfield once more, where their astonishing unbeaten run has come to an equally astonishing halt.
Jurgen Klopp's side have lost six league games on the spin at home - the worst such run in all of Europe's top five leagues - but have won four of their last five on the road. Arsenal, meanwhile, who beat rivals Tottenham in their last home encounter, haven't won back-to-back league games at the Emirates since their opening two of the season.
Team News
The Gunners will be without David Luiz through injury, with Rob Holding and Pablo Mari vying to return to the side. Meanwhile the likes of Granit Xhaka (illness), Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka (both injury) are doubts, with Willian and Pepe in line to step into the boots of either youngster.
As for the visitors, Roberto Firmino may well be back in the squad but could have to make do with a place on the bench, with Diogo Jota scoring in each of his last three for club and country. Elsewhere the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson remain sidelined, so an unchanged side from the 1-0 win at Wolves seems likely.
Probable Lineups
Arsenal (4231): Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Aubameyang; Lacazette
Liverpool (433): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Kabak, Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Jota, Mane
Key Battle: Thomas Partey vs Thiago
Two of the most hotly anticipated Premier League imports this season, it's fair to say Partey and Thiago haven't lived up to expectations so far. Both have shown glimpses of their real quality but struggled to deliver consistently and, in fairness, been hampered by injuries along the way.
In turn, both have started just 12 of 15 league appearances this season, with neither having opened their Premier League accounts and Partey responsible for the sole assist between the pair. It's Thiago that has got through more defensive work to now, and arguably more than Liverpool fans would have hoped.
While the Spaniard's figures for both tackles (2.8) and interceptions (1.7) per 90 are commendable, he has still been exposed at times. Indeed, an average of 2.6 fouls per 90 is huge, and neither player has really been able to showcase their previously outstanding dribbling stats to the degree they had managed in Spain and Germany respectively.
Prediction: Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool
