A fantastic set of midweek fixtures on Wednesday in the Premier League and there is top class action everywhere you look.
Liverpool were written off as complete top four no hopers a few weeks back, including by yours truly, but they have slowly started to find their stride and now their clash at The Emirates has taken on added significance due to the hosts’ recent shortcomings.
The Reds, under much maligned manager Rafael Benitez, have closed to within five points of Arsenal in third by virtue of five wins and two draws in their last seven Premier League games and if the visitors can avoid defeat in North London then surely it will end their opponents’ title challenge for another season.
Arsenal have been thumped by Manchester United and Chelsea in their last two outings to put themselves under extreme pressure and I think Liverpool will be good enough for at least a point.
While the Gunners are still extremely pleasing on the eye the loss of Robin van Persie through injury has ruthlessly exposed their lack of strength in depth against the better sides and I see more frustration coming up against the Merseysiders.
Liverpool have kept four clean sheets in a row in the top flight and another wouldn’t surprise in what is now seemingly a battle for third along with Manchester City.
The London club possess a superb recent record against Liverpool and I can only assume that’s why they are no bigger than 2.10 to resume winning ways. Nicklas Bendtner is tipped to start in attack for them but Arsenal appear there for the taking on the counterattack and Liverpool look set up ideally to cope with the threat of Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin through the middle.
Despite Fernando Torres’ continued absence Liverpool have looked more like their old selves in the past month or so and their 1-0 derby victory over Everton on Saturday kept the momentum going. Dirk Kuyt got the winner at Anfield, his fourth goal in as many matches, and the Dutchman is clearly reveling in his more central position.
Kuty’s goals could well prove the difference once more but the organisational skills of Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger in defence are tipped to earn Liverpool at least a share of the spoils and of course the role of captain Steven Gerrard is likely to be pivotal. His clash with Fabregas in the middle is a mouthwatering prospect and the England man may well be able to master his younger Spanish counterpart who has cut an increasingly frustrated figure in recent weeks.
1pt Lay Arsenal vs. Liverpool @ 2.16 (Betfair)