Arsenal vs Liverpool predictions and betting tips – Clash of titans at Emirates 

Arsenal had an excellent festive period but they cannot rest on their laurels yet. The Gunners are favourites to win the Premier League title, but Mikel Arteta will know there is still a long way to go.

Liverpool are not in the race for the championship this season, yet there is still plenty for Arne Slot’s side to play for. How will Thursday’s encounter go?

• Arsenal to win – 3/5 with Sky Bet
• Arsenal to score over 1.5 goals – 8/13 with Midnite
• Bukayo Saka to score any time – 6/4 with Paddy Power

Arsenal vs Liverpool odds

Find the latest Arsenal vs Liverpool betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Arsenal vs Liverpool predictions

When Manchester City suffered an unexpected collapse last season, it was supposed to be Arsenal’s year.

Having finished as runners-up to City in both of the two previous Premier League campaigns, Arsenal had long been hoping for Pep Guardiola’s side to stumble. But when it happened, they were not on hand to pounce.

Instead, Liverpool upset the odds to triumph in Arne Slot’s debut season at the helm. In truth, Arsenal never really looked like catching them. The Gunners ultimately finished 10 points adrift of top spot, and they did not end a single matchday in first place.

It was a bitter disappointment and one which increased the pressure on Arteta going into 2025/26. So far, he and his team have handled that well. 

At the beginning of 2026, Arsenal hold a six-point advantage over both Manchester City and Aston Villa.

Draws with Sunderland and Chelsea a few weeks back opened the door to that duo, but the festive period went very well indeed for the north Londoners.

A 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion was tighter than it should have been given Arsenal’s dominance for the first hour, but the key result was a 4-1 vanquishing of Aston Villa a few days later.

Arteta’s men followed that up with a 3-2 defeat of Bournemouth on Saturday. On the balance of play and chances created, the Cherries perhaps deserved a point. But Arsenal delivered in the big moments, as Declan Rice notched a brace to get his side over the line.

At this stage of the campaign, when the games come thick and fast, results are more important than performances. Arsenal were not at their best against Bournemouth, but they found a way to get the job done.

Next up is a meeting with Liverpool, one of only two teams to have beaten Arsenal this term. That 1-0 success at Anfield in August appeared to suggest the Reds were the team to beat in the title race.

Things have not gone well since then, but Liverpool still have plenty to play for. The Champions League and the FA Cup provide potential routes to silverware, while Slot’s team will be targeting a top-four finish in the Premier League.

However, a vast improvement on their performance against Fulham on Sunday will be required if Liverpool are to get anything from their latest trip to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal vs Liverpool betting tips

Premier League leaders Arsenal host the defending champions Liverpool on Thursday.

More joy for Arsenal

After a couple of nervy and narrow home triumphs over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal were emphatic 4-1 winners against Aston Villa in their last game at the Emirates Stadium.

The scoreline is unlikely to be quite so one-sided when Liverpool come to town, but there is undoubtedly a gulf in class between these two teams at present.

The table does not lie in that respect and Arsenal’s 14-point lead over Liverpool feels like an accurate representation of where the sides are at.

With home advantage to boot, it would be a big surprise if the Gunners did not collect maximum points here.

Back Arsenal to win at 3/5 with Sky Bet

Gunners can strike twice

Liverpool’s defence has been an issue for months now and it does not look like being fixed any time soon.

The Reds shipped two more goals to Fulham at the weekend, making it 28 conceded in 20 Premier League matches.

Arsenal have virtually a full complement of attacking players available for the first time this season, with Kai Havertz potentially ready for a place on the bench here.

The Gunners have scored at least twice in three consecutive games and they can do so against Liverpool too.

Tip Arsenal to score over 1.5 goals at 8/13 with Midnite

Saka can find target

Bukayo Saka was given a rare rest on Saturday, featuring for only the final quarter of the victory over Bournemouth.

The forward still managed to provide an assist in that time, and for all Noni Madueke’s quality, Saka will be back in the XI to face Liverpool.

The England international has only scored four league goals so far, although Saka has spent time on the treatment table.

The Arsenal academy product is so often the man who steps up when his team needs him most. There is a good chance that will be the case against Liverpool on Thursday.

Choose Bukayo Saka to score any time at 6/4 with Paddy Power

Arsenal vs Liverpool predicted lineups

• Arsenal expected lineup: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Trossard.
• Liverpool expected lineup: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Where to watch Arsenal vs Liverpool

• Location: Emirates Stadium, London, England.
• Date and time: Thursday 8th January, 8pm.
• How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

More Premier League predictions

We have plenty more Premier League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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