Arsenal vs Liverpool: Preview, Odds and Betting Tips - 4/02/2024 (Premier League)

Big test for Liverpool without Salah

Arsenal take on Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday 4 February 2024 in a match that could affect their title races.

Liverpool have begun to feel the familiar pressure of Manchester City chasing down the top spot and as such, need not drop points carelessly for the next 15 game weeks.

Jürgen Klopp, whose announcement a few weeks ago is still shaking up the Reds’ fanbase, is certain to show his most brutal side yet after losing the title narrowly to Manchester City on three occasions. This means trouble for Arsenal, their hosts.

The Gunners, meanwhile, also have the added pressure of both Aston Villa and Manchester City to deal with. Unai Emery looks to be coaching Villa to prove a point to his former employers. City, on the other hand, are doing what they normally do but Arsenal are desperate not to be upstaged again.

The clash at the Emirates is certain to be a spectacular one. Thomas Partey could be making his first start for Arsenal since his injury which also made him miss out on Ghana’s AFCON 2023 campaign in Ivory Coast.

Liverpool, on the other hand, lost Mohamed Salah to the competition. Worse still, their Egyptian talisman is currently dealing with an injury he picked up at the tournament which he could still return to if he is fit enough.

The Reds have shown that they are so much more than Salah, however. Diogo Jota has stepped up greatly and so has Darwin Nuñez, whose chaotic style of football is helping Liverpool create a lot.

Arsenal and Liverpool did not carry out any transfer business in January which means both managers trust their current group to achieve their clubs’ aims. Injuries, however, have ravaged both teams.

Liverpool is the hardest hit, having lost Joel Matip to an ACL tear recently. They will be buoyed by the return of Andy Robertson to training, however, and are keeping their fingers crossed that he will be given the medical greenlight to participate in the game.

Both teams are playing good football at the moment and as they prepare to welcome us into the last stretch of the league season, let us take a look at their form guides which will help predict how they will fare against each other to make proper betting decisions.

Form Guide: Arsenal

Arsenal against Liverpool is currently skewed in favour of Liverpool.

Two winless games against the Reds is the current state of things, with the Gunners only claiming two wins from their last 10 games in all competitions (2W, 3D, 5L) against Liverpool. In the Premier League, they have one win from their last five outings against Liverpool (1W, 2D, 2L).

Both sides have entertained fans in these matches, however, but Klopp's history with Arteta is clear.

In comparison to the rest of the league, Arsenal have lost two games and drawn one from their last five games in the league. The draw coincidentally happened to be against Liverpool.

The Gunners have been playing very good football in recent weeks, however, in addition to being better rested than the Reds thanks to their non-involvement in the cup competitions.

Form Guide: Liverpool

Liverpool are struggling with a slow start to games in recent weeks and this could cost them against Arsenal, who are one of the best in the league at quickfire goals.

In that period, however, they have scored more second half goals than any team in the Premier League, with 90 percent of their goals in their last five outings in all competitions coming between 50 and 90 minutes (plus additional time).

The Reds have done most of this without their talisman, Salah, with Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nuñez and co all stepping up.

They will also go into the Arsenal game with enough confidence, having denied them twice in the last few weeks: one time in the league last December at Anfield (1 - 1 draw) and in the FA Cup knockouts earlier this month at the Emirates (0 - 2 win).

The Reds current record in the league stands at three wins from their last five. They have also been very active in cup competitions which could add to their match fatigue when they face a much rested Arsenal on 4 February 2024 at the Emirates.

What to expect from the match

A typical Arsenal vs Liverpool match is end-to-end but since Arteta and Klopp began to do battle, the game has become even faster.

Transitions happen in the blink of an eye, with the players having less time to think. This is the base expectation for their clash come 4 February 2024.

A lot will rest on the shoulders of Gabriel Jesus for Arsenal and Nuñez for Liverpool. This is because both players are leading their clubs’ attacks and will be pivotal in distracting either side’s defence, which are two best in the league (18 goals conceded by Liverpool and 20 goals conceded by Arsenal).

Both strikers will end up playing like false 9s to allow the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz to find space to score goals or make key passes.

William Saliba will have an opportunity to prove that he has also reached the level of Virgil Van Dijk, which means both defenders will be bringing their very best.

Betting predictions

Over 1.5 goals

Only twice in the last ten meetings between both teams in all competitions have they played out a goalless draw (under 1.5 goals). Score lines between both of them typically end up being over 1.5 goals. They both share a rivalry that makes it hard for them not to face each other with anything less than venomous intent which typically ends after the final whistle. Another reason for this pick is the scoring form of both teams. Either team is enjoying a good run in front of goal or it is unlikely that they will be able to keep each other out. The question becomes who comes out on top.

William Hill is offering 1.40 odds for this to happen.

Liverpool win or draw

Their last ten meetings are skewed in favour of Liverpool, no matter the ground they play on. Arsenal host this time around but history has shown that Liverpool are capable of dominating the Emirates. Liverpool are flying high at the moment as well. Their form suggests they are sharper and much better at grinding out results than Arsenal are. Only match fatigue could count towards them not leaving the Emirates with all three points, from our point of view. It is even more difficult to foresee an Arsenal win against the Reds.

William Hill is offering 1.85 odds for this to happen.

Anytime scorer – Gabriel Jesus

The Brazilian is fit and Arsenal is playing good football again. What's left is for him to get on the scoresheet. With his hustle and technique, he has the ability to do so in the next few games. We predict he will do so against Liverpool, who will be caught awards by his industriousness. The presence of Arsenal's other brilliant attackers will also give him the opportunity to roam around and sneak into the box to squeeze a finish past his compatriot Alisson Becker in the Liverpool net.

All odds are via William Hill and all info valid as of the time of writing.

Odds could differ now.