History points to another Liverpool slip up against Arsenal

Liverpool host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime in a crucial fixture that could once again push the top-four closer together with a home victory.

However, history does not look good for Liverpool, having won just once in the past 12 matches against the north London side, with the Gunners winning three of their last four Anfield trips. Odds of 12/5 for another away Arsenal win look very alluring.

On the other hand, Liverpool are much more of a force this season and possess two of the three Premier League top-scorers so far this term, with Luis Suarez leading the charts on a remarkable 23 goals and strike partner Daniel Sturridge on 14.

In 180 battles between the two, they each have 66 victories, but with Arsenal dominating this fixture in recent years and scoring exactly twice in their last four matches against the Reds, back the Gunners at 11/8 to get two or more goals again.

The Anfield side started the season really well and topped the table on Christmas Day, but two consecutive away games to Manchester City and Chelsea ended in narrow defeat. They have won three and drawn twice since but now find themselves in fourth place and eight points off the top.

With odds of just 20/1 now to win the league, it seems Liverpool’s title hopes are over, but they are in a fantastic position to end the season in the Champions League places for the first time since 2008, with odds of 4/6 for a top-four finish.

Arsenal, on the other hand, despite leading by two points, are priced at 4/1 as third favourites to win the league. Coral don’t fancy them to go all the way, but do you?

Injuries may take their toll in Saturday’s highlight match, with the likes of Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby, Thomas Vermaelen, new loan signing Kim Kallstrom plus the suspended Mathieu Flamini all out for Arsenal. Jack Wilshere is also a doubt.

For Liverpool, no new injury concerns, but Daniel Agger, Lucas Leiva, Glen Johnson, Jose Enrique and Mamadou Sakho are all still sidelined.

The Gunners won the reverse fixture 2-0 in November, but a high scoring game of 2-2 with odds of 11/1 could be the best punt due to past results between the two and the form of Liverpool’s striking duo.