ANYONE who watched Liverpool blast four past Arsenal in the opening 20 minutes of last week's Premier League encounter will really fancy them to repeat their success in the FA Cup on Sunday.
It was four going on eight as the Gunners fell apart and in the end they were flattered by a 5-1 defeat.
A week on and they meet again but it's at the Emirates – where Liverpool lost 2-0 earlier in the season – and Arsene Wenger is hinting at putting out a full side even with a Champions League tie coming up.
He needs the trophy really after eight years without one but while their Liverpool result was dire I was disappointed in their display against Man United in midweek.
They were one-paced and dimensional and to in effect settle for a 0-0 was a poor show.
If Arsenal play that way again – and they don't have any better players to come in – they are there for the taking and Liverpool must fancy their chances.
William Hill make both sides 17-10 which shows how difficult it is to predict while the draw is 5-2 at Ladbrokes. A stalemate is possible but Liverpool must have a psychological edge and I'm taking a chance on them.
There are plenty of first-scorer candidates but Daniel Sturridge’s form is hard to ignore – he's scored in his previous eight and against the Gunners last week – and he is 2-1 at Stan James to notch at any time.
Here are some stats and facts taking from the Oddschecker app that may help you decide.
These two have met in the FA Cup in 12 previous seasons with the Gunners coming out on top seven times (including winning two finals), with the Reds winning one final and progressing on four additional occasions.
Arsenal have lost just one of their last eight FA Cup matches against Liverpool, winning four and drawing three with that defeat coming in the 2001 final.
The Gunners are yet to concede a goal in the competition this season and have kept three clean sheets in their last five FA Cup games. Arsenal are 3-1 to keep a clean sheet with Paddy Power
Arsenal have only lost one of their last 36 FA Cup home games, against Blackburn last season, with their previous FA Cup defeat on home soil coming against Leeds in 1997.
Liverpool have won just two of their last six away FA Cup games, losing three and drawing one.
Arsenal have kept 11 clean sheets in their last 12 competitive matches at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool have not lost any of their last nine competitive matches, winning seven and drawing two.
Recommended Bets
Liverpool (4pm)
(17-10, William Hill)
Sturridge to score
(2-1, Stan James)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
I believe Arsenal will bounce back from the 5 – 1 defeat and beat Liverpool 3-1.
I’ve read a bit recently about football stats and betting on this site and i think there’s a case for following them. People like Alex did well in the long run backing teams on stats. But i think games like this throw stats out of the window. On form Liverpool should win. They’re playing the best out of the top four teams if you ask me. But arsenal will approach this with the mentality of shutting out a rampant Liverpool side.
I’ll probably be backing a low scoring game here. Tough to call a winner, but i doubt arsenal will concede so many again.
@ money mark i have to agree i thought liverpool were poor v fulham but they still managed to win and thats what good teams do.if they play the arsenal that played man united midweek then arsenal will be in trouble,it was no accident that liverpool beat arsenal 5-1,liverpool did what they know they had to do,make no mistake the league remains the priority for them,with arsenal having to play bayern surely their minds will be on that game,two very evenly matched teams will make great viewing on a sunday tea time.also i will point out suarez will be hungry for a goal or two.
I’m totally undecided on liverpool v arsenal will be leaving well alone. If pushed I would opt for a low scoring draw.
Sturridge to score anytime liverpool to win 7/2
I think Arsenal will bounce back here. And to be honest, this is their only real chance of winning a silverware. They will surely lose out in the league and the champions league. If Wenger is smart enough, he will field a strong team today.
Arsenal at DNB have alot of value.
If I was pushed, I’d say I’d go for a Liverpool win. Arsenal have a slow backline and they couldn’t handle Liverpools pace last time – I can’t see that changing. However Livepool’s away record is not great at all, and neither is their own backline. Unlike others, I could see this being high scoring.
liverpool have won their last away game and drew the game before that away not that bad.
The worry for me would be Liverpool have conceded 2 or more goals in 9 out of their 13 away games this season. Of course the only team they’ve failed to score against away from home is Arsenal but they were playing a strange formation that day. BTTS is tempting and I might try an anytime goalscorer.
liverpool to win and suarez to score
Mr. Fixit, I hope you have passed all this racist slurs onto the powers that be, so that the perpetrator can be unmasked, and we’ll see how clever he/she is then!!
Lossie Jim, everything’s saved, the guy is being investigated and when we or the police find out who he is he’ll be charged.
Whoever this individual is,he,or she,what age!,therein lies the shortcomings of this site.
Howard Webb should be banned like players !!! Right in front of him !!. Even assistant gave the penalty ,, so what is it with him? Two penaltys so close together ? Or is it that there is no United now ? Or does he just like being in the limelight disgusting!!!!!!!
The individual is probably hiding behind a proxy server and could be anywhere in the world
Thus making it near impossible for authorities to prosecute and bring to a court of law. sad
Tough game for Arsenal. They could’ve been beaten again by Liverpool. I hope they improve their game play next time. They can do much better..