Arsenal vs Liverpool Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW21)
Premier League Gameweek 21 delivers a marquee showdown at the Emirates Stadium as league leaders Arsenal host Liverpool, with both sides entering in strong form and significant stakes at play near the top of the table.
Arsenal hold a six-point lead over second-place Manchester City as they push toward a long-awaited Premier League title, while Liverpool arrive unbeaten in eight league matches and firmly back in the race for Champions League qualification.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Thursday's Arsenal vs. Liverpool match.
Premier League Player News & Updates
When & Where to Watch (USA/UK)
Thursday, January 8 at 3:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. local
US schedule (English)
- TV Channel: NBC/Peacock
- Live Stream: Peacock Premium
UK schedule
- TV Channel: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Ultra HD, TNT Sports.
- Live Stream: Sky Go app, NOW TV.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool Head-to-Head Record
Liverpool and Arsenal have met on 245 occasions, dating back to 1893 when Liverpool trounced Arsenal 5-0 in a League Division Two matchup.
Liverpool lead the all-time series narrowly, winning 96 times and drawing on 66 occasions.
Over their last 10 meeting across all competitions, Liverpool hold a slight edge having won four times and drawn four.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Which Liverpool manager led the club to a UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal victory over Arsenal during the 2007/08 campaign?
Gameweek 20 Trivia: Which Chelsea player scored the lone goal of their 2021 Champions League Final victory over Manchester City?
Betting Odds and Predictions for Arsenal vs Liverpool
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: ARS -180 Draw +330, LIV +475
FanDuel: ARS -195 Draw +320, LIV +430
BetMGM: ARS -185 Draw +333, LIV +450
Bet365: ARS -182 Draw +320, LIV +450
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Arsenal (WWWWW) are in the midst of a seven-match winning streak across all competitions. Over their last five fixtures, the Gunners have slipped into the EFL Cup Semifinals after outlasting Crystal Palace in penalty kicks and have brushed aside title hopefuls Aston Villa.
Liverpool (DDWWW) are unbeaten across their last nine fixtures (five wins, four draws) in all competitions. Across the unblemished nine-match stretch, the Reds have conceded more than one goal just twice.
FORMATIONS
Arsenal have worked to perfect their high-possession system, predicated upon size and strength at center-forward and in the midfield. Expect manager Mikel Arteta to use a base 4-2-3-1 formation, giving his team the ability to control the ball and push forward in front of goalkeeper David Raya.
Liverpool are most accustomed to lining up in a 4-2-3-1. The double-pivot is intended to shield a Liverpool backline that has conceded 28 goals, tied for the ninth-most conceded in the Premier League. When operating optimally, the double-pivot provides the talented Liverpool full-backs license to make overlapping runs into the attacking half of the pitch.
CONFIRMED LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Arsenal Injury News & Lineup Notes
The Gunners enter the fixture at near full-health as they make their second-half title charge.
Arteta's main focus prior to submitting his starting XI will be on his backline. Riccardo Calafiori (undisclosed) has missed three successive fixtures after suffering an injury in the warmups ahead of Arsenal's victory over Brighton & Hove Albion and subsequently being left out of the team in victories over Aston Villa and Bournemouth. If the versatile defender is once again unfit for duty, look for Piero Hincapie or Myles Lewis-Skelly to assume the left full-back role.
Cristhian Mosquera (ankle) has been ruled out for the fixture. The 21-year old defender was removed from Arsenal's first December fixture versus Brentford after just 44 minutes and is not expected back until later in 2026, when he will presumably fill a rotational role.
Liverpool Injury News & Lineup Notes
Slot is managing through injuries and availability as he seeks to cement the Reds' place in the top-four of the table.
In the midfield, Wataru Endo (ankle) is set to miss his sixth successive league matchup as he has yet to return to team training, according to Liverpool.com. Fellow midfielder Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) returned to training nearly a month ago but has yet to make an appearance this season. Look for Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones to comprise a formidable Liverpool engine room, albeit devoid of depth.
Further up the pitch, Mohamed Salah, who was reintegrated to the squad in Liverpool's victory over Brighton, remains unavailable as he represents Egypt at AFCON. In Salah's absence, Slot has deployed Dominik Szoboszlai on the Reds' right. Additionally, Alexander Isak (ankle) will be out for a couple of months, coach Arne Slot confirmed in a Dec. press conference, after he required surgery due to a broken leg suffered versus Tottenham on Dec. 20. In Isak's absence, look for Hugo Ekitike (hamstring) to spearhead the Liverpool attack. If Ekitike is also sidelined for Thursday's matchup, I would anticipate Slot cobbling together a False-9 attacking approach in which Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz would be positioned centrally to assist the Liverpool build-up.
KEY MATCHUPS
Midfield Mashup
There is a potential for this clash to be bogged down and, in turn, won or lost in the midfield. Thursday's matchup will likely feature two of the top midfield trios in England as Arsenal's Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard are likely to lineup in opposition of Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones.
Look for Zubimendi and Rice's holding play to allow club captain Odegaard to play a more advanced role. If Arteta detects an opportunity, look for the gaffer to press his advantage by also allowing Rice the freedom to emerge from the double-pivot and join the attack.
From a Liverpool perspective, look for Slot to position Gravenberch and Jones in a double-pivot ahead of his backline with Mac Allister well-equipped to play in a more advanced role. Liverpool's midfield success is predicated upon Mac Allister's ability to roam the pitch in an effort to unbalance defensive shapes while Gravenberch and Jones exploit the passing lanes created.
While the starters will play a critical role in determining the outcome of Thursday's clash, I back the depth of Arsenal to give the Gunners' the edge as the match wanes to its' final stages. Arteta has the luxury of selecting from proven Premier League difference-makers Eberechi Eze, Christian Norgaard and Mikel Merino to reinforce his ranks.
Bukayo Saka versus Milos Kerkez or Andrew Robertson
Saka has attempted 10 shots and supplied two assists over his last three Premier League appearances (two starts) and continues to be a focal point of the Arsenal attack under Arteta. When afforded the opportunity, look for the Gunners to switch play quickly to Saka in an effort to create a one-on-one matchup with the Liverpool full-back.
Following his move from Bournemouth during the summer transfer window, Kerkez has struggled to adapt under Slot. As such, veteran Andrew Robertson has assumed more minutes at left full-back this season than was reasonably anticipated following Liverpool's signing of Kerkez in the summer.
Regardless of Slot's choice at left full-back, anticipate Saka to continue his positive run of form as the Gunners will look to dominate possession at home and leverage Saka's attacking play to catalyze their goal scoring effort.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Leandro Trossard has rattled off nine shots (two on goal), scored once and assisted once over his last five appearances (three starts) while averaging two chances created per appearance. The attacker is likely to lineup opposite of Liverpool academy product Conor Bradley.
Trossard has made 186 Premier League appearances, dating back to his 2019/20 season with Brighton. Conversely, Bradley has made just 44 Premier League appearances in his young career.
In consideration of Trossard's current form and his presumed experience-advantage over his defensive counterpart, I back Trossard to create multiple chances and land at least one shot on goal Thursday.
RESULT
Arsenal 2 - Liverpool 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Arsenal: Jan. 17 at Nottingham Forest
Liverpool: Jan. 17 vs Burnley
