Arsenal v Liverpool: Opta stats and tips for title favourites v current champions | OneFootball

It's the champions elect against the reigning champs on Thursday night in the Premier League. On paper this looks an exciting clash but Liverpool's iffy season coupled with Arsenal's imperious form makes Arne Slot's visitors as big as 5/1 to win at The Emirates.

The home side have enjoyed the festive period and will look to round out the post-Christmas run of games with a fourth win of four.

Below we look through the Opta  stats to pull out three bets for the big clash.

Bet #1 - Recent form to trump head-to-head?

The Match Odds Stat

Unless it finishes as a draw this game will see a tick in the box for either head-to-head (if Liverpool win) or recent form (an Arsenal win). Which stat is more persuasive? Against no side have Arsenal lost more Premier League games than they have against Liverpool (26, level with Man Utd). However, Arsenal have won their last seven home Premier League matches - only once under Mikel Arteta have they had a longer home league winning run, winning 10 consecutively between April and December 2022.

For me, the current form is strongest. To get a better price than the 1/2 on a home win, let's add in both teams to score too for a bet at much bigger odds.

Bet #2 - Liverpool can find a way through the Arsenal rearguard

The Goals Stat

Arsenal have conceded in each of their last 20 Premier League games against Liverpool since a 0-0 draw in August 2015. Only against Man Utd (30 between 1953 and 1968) and Tottenham (24 between 1955 and 1967) have they had a longer run without a clean sheet in their league history.

We already have BTTS covered above but if you fancied Liverpool to really make a game of it you could back the visitors to score two or more at 11/4.

Bet #3 - Back Sak and Gak

The Goalscorer stats

Two attackers stand out in the player stats, one for each side. For Arsenal, Bukayo Saka has scored in each of his last three Premier League home games against Liverpool - in their league history, no Arsenal player has ever scored in four consecutive home games against the Reds before. Saka, who started against Brighton and Aston Villa but came off the bench at Bournemouth, is 17/10 is score and 10/11 to either score or assist. Don't forget, Safe Sub covers off should Saka come off and his replacement does the business.

Cody Gakpo has scored three away league goals this season, all of which have come in his last four league appearances in London (goals at Chelsea, West Ham, and Fulham); he had only scored four goals in his first 18 Premier League games in the capital before this. Gakpo could become the second different Liverpool player to score in four away matches in London in a Premier League season, after Mo Salah (twice - 2017-18 and 2020-21). Gakpo is 4/1 to score.

Now read our Arsenal v Liverpool match preview