The greatest football league in the world is about to start in one week time. Barclays Premier league will kick-off for the 25th time and it looks set to be one of the most entertaining season of all time, with numerous teams aiming for a top finish and a place among the elite. Last year’s surprise Premier league title win by Leicester City gave a signal to smaller clubs that anything is possible, so we expect this season to be very competitive.
Liverpool and Arsenal might have great history on their side, but in the recent season they were pretty much out of luck. Liverpool has been waiting for the title for 26 years now, while Arsenal won their last one in 2004. These two sides will face each other in the opening game of the season, as Liverpool travel to Emirates Stadium. In the previous campaign, Liverpool and Arsenal also played in August at Emirates. The game ended in a goalless draw, but the next fixture at Anfield provided us with one of the best games of the season. Liverpool and Arsenal played out a 3-3 draw in a game which saw both sides in the lead at one point. Anything similar will delight the fans.
Arsenal didn’t change much this summer to the line-up, as only Gladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka joined Arsene Wenger’s side. This was marked as a great controversy by the fans, as they anticipate yet another trophy-less season ahead of them. However, The Gunners are expected to push for a striking option, before the transfer window closes. Pre-season games were marked with success, but without a serious string of games, Arsenal look unprepared for the opening game. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger noted that the tie against Liverpool is coming way too soon and that his side is injury-hit and not on form. Players like Mesut Ozil, Laurent Koscienly and Olivier Giroud are likely to miss the opening match due to injury, leaving Arsenal short of their top players.
The energy bar in Liverpool is hitting new heights this summer, as manager Juergen Klopp certainly made things interesting on Mellwood, as he prepares for his first full season in charge. Liverpol had a busy summer so far, signing six first team players, with nine major departures also. Georginio Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane were the most expensive buys this summer, as those two players came for a total of 59 million pounds, from Newcastle and Southampton respectively. Liverpool had a pretty busy pre-season, playing a total of nine games, winning six of them. A Great mood surrounds the Reds at the moment and they welcome the game against Arsenal in a positive mode. Liverpool will most likely enter the match with a full strength team, as James Milner and Daniel Sturridge look set to recover before the game.
In the last fifteen opening home games of the season, Arsenal won ten and lost two, but those two defeats came in the last three seasons (Aston Villa and West Ham). Liverpool on the other won the last away season opener, but overall are very unsuccessful against Arsenal away – just one win in the last nine games.
Liverpool seem overpriced at 5/2. Picking winners is difficult on the opening day, but at 5/2 its definitely worth taking a chance on an upset.
Arsenal welcomes Liverpool on Sunday, August 14th.
Recommended Bet:
Liverpool to WIN, Best Odds 5/2 @ SportingBet