Crouchy’s Arsenal v Liverpool Bet Builder
Over 2.5 Goals
Diogo Jota to Have 1+ Shots on Goal
Bukayo Saka to Have 1+ Shots on Goal
Martin Odegaard to Have 1+ Shots on Goal
Gabriel Magalhaes to be Shown a Card
*A Bet Builder on these selections adds up to around 32/1 with Paddy Power. TAP HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP INSTANTLY.
Arsenal v Liverpool
FA Cup Third Round, Sunday, 4:30pm
TV: BBC One
With the way the league is going, a game like this always feels like a chance to get one up on your rivals.
If one side rests a few players and the others go and win three or four nil, it can give you that edge in the league as well – you’ll always remember that game where you got trounced.
So I think both sides will be up for this and it should be a proper game of football.
It’s obviously the biggest tie of the round between two top teams in the country. The 1-1 draw before Christmas at Anfield was a great game too, so I’m expecting a bit more of that.
And both teams can take a lot from playing one another so recently. Either side could’ve won that game, and it was so end-to-end. The managers are willing to take risks too and that’ll just add to the tie.
You’d have to expect some changes after a busy Christmas period, one or two players might miss out – Mo Salah’s now off at the AFCON, Liverpool will want Egypt knocked out pretty sharpish – but when I played I used to love these cup games.
They still felt really “festive” and part of the whole Christmas calendar – I’m not sure how much Jurgen Klopp enjoys it though after the big Christmas schedule and then you have a massive cup game right in the middle of it.
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 15: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
He’s naturally enough not happy with all the games they have to play and there’s a lot of wear and tear, but that’s just how it is in England – when most countries are off or taking break, we throw more games in!
Arsenal have dropped off in performance a bit since the sides last met.
They’ve had some bad luck too, but I look at the goalscorers they have – Saka, Martinelli, Jesus, Nketiah – and think maybe they overperformed last year and we’re seeing drop back to the norm this season. You wouldn’t think of any of them as an out-and-out goalscorer and they overdelivered last season.
They might need someone up-top to come in during January to give them that – Ivan Toney wouldn’t be bad, would he? There’s a place in that team with all its creative players for someone who’s lethal in front goal.
Over 2.5 Goals
But I still think there’s plenty of goals in the team and expect a few Sunday.
And just look at the other night with Liverpool against Newcastle. How many chances did they make?! I think it must’ve been the highest Expected Goals ever for a Premier League game. Over seven goals!
So I think over 2.5 goals makes a lot of sense here.
Diogo Jota to Have 1+ Shots on Goal
Darwin Nunez missed a few chances against Newcastle but I think he just needs one or two to drop in for him to give him confidence and he’ll go on a streak.
With Salah away he has a chance to step up, and we know how much of as threat Diaz can be, but Diogo Jota has looked sharp coming into the team too and he should get a shot on target here.
Bukayo Saka to Have 1+ Shots on Goal
I could see Eddie Nketiah starting here as he feels like he could be one of those players who gets a good run in the cup for Arsenal. But Bukayo Saka is always a danger for any defence and a shot on target is not too much to ask here.
Martin Odegaard to Have 1+ Shots on Goal
Their side is obviously packed with goal threats though, and Martin Odegaard from midfield can offer something too if they are pressing for goal.
Gabriel Magalhaes to be Shown a Card
I can’t really see too many cards in this game, but there might be a few with so many attacking talents on show. If Liverpool turn the ball over in Arsenal’s half and Gabriel is forced intervene and pull some one back he could be a name in the referee’s notebook.
Crouchy’s Arsenal v Liverpool Bet Builder
Over 2.5 Goals
Diogo Jota to Have 1+ Shots on Goal
Bukayo Saka to Have 1+ Shots on Goal
Martin Odegaard to Have 1+ Shots on Goal
Gabriel Magalhaes to be Shown a Card
*A Bet Builder on these selections adds up to around 32/1 with Paddy Power. TAP HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP INSTANTLY.
*All prices quoted are correct at time of publication but subject to change
More Football Tips
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- Lawro’s Predictions: Lawro sees a Cup exit for Liverpool, but Man United and Chelsea go through
- Football Tips: Saturday’s 22/1 Multi-Match Bet Builder for the FA Cup Third Round
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