IT could be more about Roy Hodgson v Arsene Wenger than Liverpool v Arsenal when the English giants clash today.
For Hodgson it's the first major test of his Anfield career but he has faced up to the Gunners boss many times – and got the better of him. Fulham were renowned for stifling tactics that often frustrated the big guns but at Liverpool the fans demand a better brand. And Hodgson showed he can produce with his side putting in an entertaining show at home to Rabotnicki in the Europa League.
It's a tough start for both clubs but I can see the home men just edging it – even if Fernando Torres fails to make it.
Arsenal have an unhappy Cesc Fabregas desperate for a move back to Barcelona and that's their main problem. Liverpool are 6-4 with firms such as William Hill and totesport while Arsenal are 2-1 at Paddy Power and Stan James.
Wenger has brought in £10million Laurent Koscielny and he could time to settle. Marouane Chamakh, who should make his debut, is also likely to prove to be a shewd capture and be a focal point up front.
Liverpool, thanks to their early Euro participation, could be just ahead of their rivals in fitness and preparation but we'll see with doubts over how fit World Cup Final stars Fabregas and Robin van Persie really are.
Joe Cole was an outstanding free transfer signing but the man who could make the difference is Steven Gerrard who netted a double for England last week. He is a biggest 15-2 with Paddy Power to score first and 13-5 to net at any time.
When you think about this fixture it's hard to ignore Andei Arshavin. The Russian, whose country didn't make the World Cup finals, has scored five goals in his previous two appearances against Liverpool, including his side's four in a memorable 4-4 draw at Anfield. He is 15-2 with Blue Square and 888sport to score the opener and 9-4 at bodog just to net.
There's one game in the Championship with Leeds travelling to Nottingham Forest. BIlly Davies' men just missed out on promotion last season and should go close again. Promoted Leeds crashed at home to Derby last week and might take some time to find their feet at this higher level. Back Forest at a best 5-6 with the likes of Paddy Power and Ladbrokes while Leeds are a best Hills and totesport.
In the SPL Motherwell and Hibs meet at Fir Park for the first time since drawing 6-6 at Fir Park last season. Well trailed 6-2 before battling back and missing a penalty in the SPL's highest-scoring match of all time.
A popular bet today will be the overs and more than three pays 7-2 at boylesports. Overs was also a call by most observers on Spurs v Man City yesterday so beware. Well have won three out of four in the Europa League this season while Hibs have crashed so Craig Brown's men look in better shape.
They can be backed at a best 6-4 with Ladbrokes and consider Jamie Murphy at 10-1 with Bet365 to score first after his Euro heroics. Well are a best 85-40 with McBookie.com and the Scots firm get a prize for strangest price of the day.
In December 2020 we sadly 
