If we go under the assumption that Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all going to finish in the top-four this season in the Premier League, that leaves Arsenal and Liverpool left to fight it out for the last spot available for the Champions League. This isn't necessarily a "must-win" match for either the Gunners or the Reds, but if there is a winner of this fixture, it could be huge for either team.
Don't miss the Barclays Premier League action from Emirates Stadium at 2:45 p.m. ET on Friday, December 22, 2017. Catch every moment of the match live on NBC Sports Network.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arsenal +140
Liverpool +180
Draw +250
Over/Under 3.5
Odds Analysis
Defense could be optional in this match. The Gunners and Reds have all sorts of problems on the defensive side of the ball, and it would be relatively shocking if both teams don't find the back of the net at least once. The total in this match is set at 3.5 with -150 vig on the under.
Arsenal is the favorite in this match at +140, but Liverpool is just behind at +180 and could easily take all three points in this duel.
Key Injuries
Olivier Giroud picked up a hamstring injury in the EFL Cup against West Ham in the middle of the week. He hasn't been ruled out of this fixture quite yet, but it's hard to imagine that he's going to be on the pitch just a couple days after getting taken off with said hamstring problem.
The Reds aren't in terrible shape on the injury front. Nathaniel Clyne, Joel Matip and Alberto Moreno are all out of the fold for a while, but at least Daniel Sturridge is likely set to get back into the fold after sitting out last week against Everton with a hamstring problem.
Recent Form
Liverpool has been all over the place over the course of the last few weeks. The Reds were 4-0 winners last weekend against Bournemouth at Dean Court, and that came on the heels of a 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow in the Champions League. In between, though, Liverpool only mustered two draws against West Brom and Everton at home, matches that could be looked back upon with plenty of disdain at the end of the campaign.
Arsenal advanced to the EFL Cup semifinals earlier in the week with a 1-0 win over West Ham, but the team has been in suspect form aside from that. The Gunners did beat Newcastle last weekend, but a scoreless draw against West Ham and a 1-1 draw against Southampton prior did little to inspire a team that badly needs a pick-me-up.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Liverpool has had such an interesting season. This team has absolutely nothing at the back to discuss, but Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have been out of this world. When Mane and Salah are at their best, this offense can be magic to watch, but for every moment that they put together, there are far too many moments that make you scratch your head.
Arsenal, too, has the same issues. Alexandre Lacazette has been excellent this term with eight goals. The rest of the team? Not so much. Mesut Ozil feels like he's on his way out of the club, and the Alexis Sanchez saga has never really worked itself out.
If we had to guess, Liverpool is the team that is going to ultimately finish ahead of Arsenal this season in the Premier League, and we think it has a better shot of winning this match. Don't take a huge risk here; play the Reds at PK on the Asian Handicap, and lock up your return of investment in case these two finish on level terms.
Barclays Premier League Odds: Liverpool 2, Arsenal 1
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