Arsenal v Liverpool: Stuttering hosts to feel force of the SAS - again

Lewis Jones
14 February 2014

Smiling assassin: Suarez to lead Liverpool to cup glory

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The 5-1 pounding Liverpool dished out to Arsenal at Anfield is still fresh in the memory for both sides and Lewis Jones reckons the Reds will be back for more in Sunday afternoon's televised FA Cup clash..

"In that 5-1 thumping last weekend at Anfield, the sheer ease at which Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge ripped through Arsenal’s backline is hard to erase from the memory."

Back Liverpool @ 2.77/4

Arsenal v Liverpool
Sunday, 16:00
Live on BT Sport 1

Arsenal

The wheels on the Arsenal bus may still be going round and round but they are spinning with much less velocity than they were a month ago. In fact, they are threatening to come off altogether in their bid for some much needed silverware.

Since drawing 2-2 away at Southampton at the end of January, the Gunners have looked lethargic in their attacking play.

A 2-0 victory at home to Crystal Palace was very workmanlike while the 5-1 thrashing they recieved at Liverpool was no fluke.

Defensively the north Londoners were woeful that day.

Wednesday night's dismal 0-0 draw at home to Manchester United was a small step in the right direction but rarely did they look like breaking down David Moyes' side and in the end Arsene Wenger had to be thankful to Wojciech Szczesny for making a stupendous save to deny the returning Robin van Persie.

Szczesny's late heroics preserved Arsenal's fantastic home clean sheet record, which now stands at seven games without conceding a goal.

Not since Gerard Deulofeu bagged for Everton at the Emirates in early December have the Gunners rearguard let slip a goal at home and they've also yet to concede in the FA Cup this season, winning games against Tottenham and Coventry both to nil.

Liverpool

In comparison to Arsenal, Liverpool's bandwagon is gaining momentum. Unbeaten in all competitions in 2014, Brendan Rodgers' men are flying at the minute.

Steven Gerrard's late penalty, to nab a 3-2 win at Fulham on Wednesday, was perhaps the moment where everyone in the Premier League realised that this Liverpool side can compete for all major honours this season.

Of Liverpool's last eight appearances in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, the Reds have made it through six times and with no European challenges to negotiate this season, Rodgers and his men will be going full throttle to bring this famous trophy back to Merseyside.

With that in mind it is very surprising to see the north-west outfit trading as fifth favourites in the outright market at 8.07/1. There's a splendid trading angle if ever there was one.

Match Odds

Going forward, there is no team, bar Manchester City, that attack with the same fluidity, speed and ruthlessness than Liverpool.

In that 5-1 thumping last weekend at Anfield, the sheer ease at which Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge - who has scored nine goals in his last eight games - ripped through Arsenal's backline is hard to erase from the memory.

With Philippe Coutinho in behind supplying magical through balls alongside the experience of Gerrard and superb work ethic of Jordan Henderson, it's easy to see the Reds causing Arsenal the same problems on the counter attack as they did at Anfield.

Wenger's men will find it easier to break down an inconsistent Liverpool defensive line than United's but the threat that the visitors pose is just too big to ignore in terms of their match odds.

There has been significant market moves behind Liverpool's win price over the last 24 hours, to the extent that Rodgers' men are now actually favourites at 2.77/4 with Arsenal a 2.89/5 chance and the draw 3.613/5.

My advice would be follow the money and get on the 2.77/4.

Over/Under 1.5 first half Goals

As Liverpool showed the Gunners in their last meeting, there is no side in the Premier League better at scoring first half goals.

The four they notched in the opening 20 minutes took their first half tally to 40 for the season, which is at least 10 more than any other side. Sturridge's early strike against Fulham on Wednesday made it 41.

You have to go back 17 Premier League games to find the last time Liverpool didn't score in the opening 45 minutes of a game.

Yes, Arsenal are defensively very sound at home but when they concede they tend to open the floodgates.

Early goals looked nailed on here and the 2.6613/8 for over 1.5 goals before the oranges are served up looks a tasty angle to exploit.

Cash Out Opportunity: Back Liverpool to win the FA Cup @ 8.007/1

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