The defending Premier League champions, Liverpool, are hosting last season’s runner-up, Arsenal, at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool is a small favorite for this exciting contest on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here is a preview, prediction and pick for this fixture.
Liverpool Preview
Liverpool has already been on a rollercoaster ride two matches into its Premier League title defense. It squandered a 2-0 lead in its opener against Bournemouth, but Federico Chiesa provided a winner in the 88th minute. The Reds blew another 2-0 lead against Newcastle in their last match, before another unlikely hero, 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, scored a 100th-minute winner. The Reds can’t be happy with blowing two leads, but the team has shown great resilience to get six points from its first two matches. This will be a massive test against Arsenal, and Liverpool will be mostly healthy. Its starting right back, Jeremie Frimpong, is out for the game, but deputy fullback Conor Bradley is expected to be back to fill that role.
Arsenal Preview
Arsenal has also taken six points from its first two matches this season. It looked shaky in its season opener against Manchester United, winning 1-0 on a set-piece goal in a match where it looked like the inferior side. However, it laid the hammer down against Leeds United in its second match, winning 5-0 against the newly promoted side. Arsenal has already had multiple players injured this season. Forward Kai Havertz is out for an extended period of time, star winger Bukayo Saka is out for a few weeks and captain Martin Odegaard could miss this key fixture as well. However, this will be Eberechi Eze’s much-anticipated Arsenal debut. After finishing second in the Premier League three seasons in a row, Arsenal needs to win matches like this in order to take the final step and win the Premier League.
Liverpool vs. Arsenal Pick
My best bet for this game is Liverpool moneyline. At +130, this is as good a price as you will ever find on Liverpool at Anfield. The final score was 2-2 in both of the matches between these two clubs last season. However, the injury situation at Arsenal is concerning. Without Saka, the team is missing the player who could expose some of Liverpool’s defensive frailties. Liverpool has blown two leads, but in order to blow leads, you need to get them in the first place. Arsenal is at its best defending a lead with a strong defense. If Liverpool can jump out to an early lead at Anfield, it’s hard to see Arsenal getting back into the game. Liverpool should take three points from this one as it continues its Premier League defense.
