Prediction: Liverpool vs Arsenal

August 14th 2010

Premier League fans have been served a real treat in the very first round of the season, with Liverpool set to host Arsenal on Sunday. The Reds will like nothing better than to start the season with the win over their title rivals, but since the Gunners are also looking for a bright start, the odds are we will see an entertaining game at Anfield.

While the club managed to reinforce the squad with quite a few new players, I still believe Roy Hodgson will prove to be their biggest signing of the summer. The man who led Fulham from the bottom third of the Premiership standings to Europa League final in just two years is more than capable of finally turning Liverpool into genuine title contenders, especially with none of their title rivals looking too impressive at the moment. Besides holding on to Gerrard and Torres, Hodgson reinforced the squad with some very good players like Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic and Christian Poulsen, while Danny Wilson and Jonjo Shelvey are also there to help if needed. This team will definitely need some time to gel but their newly found ambition is likely to help the players before that has happened. Martin Skrtel is set to miss out through injury, while Fernando Torres should be fit enough to take his place on the bench.

Once again, Arsene Wenger was reluctant to spend too much money on new players, although the fans should not be too disappointed with club’s dealings in the transfer market. Despite an enormous pressure from Barcelona, Spain and even Fabregas’ own family, Le Boss somehow managed to persuade the Spaniard to remain at the Emirates and that is something Arsenal fans cannot thank him enough for. The club signed two very good players in Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny to patch up the problematic positions in the side and I feel the Gunners are a bit stronger than last term. The only problem at the moment is that there are too many injured players and the ones lacking match fitness, but this is something Wenger already got used to. Bendtner, Djourou and Ramsey are definitely out, whereas Denilson, Diaby and Song are doubtful for this clash. Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are still short of match fitness but they could still start.

Conclusion

I have no doubts both sides will be looking to win the match but neither of them would be disappointed with a draw. There is nothing worse than losing a derby match in the very first round of the season and this is why neither of the sides will be pushing too hard if they enter the closing stages of the match with one point in their pocket. Soccer betting is definitely not an exact science but draw does look like the most logical outcome in this match.

Verdict: Draw (X)

Best Odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: Titan Bet