IT’S NOT like Arsenal haven’t won at Anfield in the league since God were a lad but it is knocking on 13 years.
It’s so long ago, current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was in the team that won 2-0 in September 2012. So at least he knows it can be done, how it’s done and how it feels.
How it would feel if his side end that sorry run tomorrow on Merseyside is, like maybe this is the North London side’s year. At last.
For anyone who’s forgotten, they peaked with the Invincibles’ title in 2003-04 and haven’t been seen in the winners’ enclosure since.
But the typically good start they’ve made, winning at Man United and then smashing Leeds for five, both without conceding, has had the bookies dashing for their chalk.
Bet Balls
- Chelsea to beat Fulham 2-1 today is 6-1 with BetGoodwin
- Leeds v Newcastle draw, BTTS, tonight is 13-4 with BetGoodwin
- Brighton to beat Man City, BTTS, tomorrow is 9-2 with BetGoodwin
- Liverpool and Arsenal to draw 3-3 tomorrow is 35-1 with BetGoodwin
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Arteta’s side have now moved into narrow title favourites at a widely-available 7-4, with the home side trading at a best-priced 15-8 with Betway.
Not too surprising really, given that Liverpool’s start has been of the “all that glitters is not gold” variety.
Yes, they saw off Bournemouth 4-2 in their Anfield opener but needed very late goals to do it after the Cherries fought back from 2-0 down.
Then there’s Monday’s mad affair at Newcastle, where after leading 2-0, the Reds ended up hanging on against 10 very disgruntled men at 2-2 before half-inching it in the last seconds.
And let’s not forget dogged Palace twice came from behind against them before winning the Community Shield on penalties. So Invincible Liverpool are not.
A point conceded by Coral’s Dave Stevens. He said: “Some of Slot’s new signings will take time to settle in, so they can be forgiven a-less-than-convincing start.
“And brushing aside one of the relegation favourites Leeds means I’m not getting carried away by Arsenal’s start either.
“Liverpool are favourites but, at 11-10, I can leave them alone. I’m convinced there’ll be goals – it’s 4-6 BTTS and 4-1 over 4.5 goals. Either of those look about right to me.”
The last three of these affairs have ended in score draws, two of them 2-2. The manner of Liverpool’s start means they know they can’t be complacent against an Arsenal who have the quality to take advantage.
Draw and BTTS is the call here at a best-priced 18-5 with BetVictor, while the aforementioned 2-2 is worth a tickle at a tidy 12-1 with bet365.
With Bukayo Saka out injured, I don’t see any reason why Arteta won’t throw new £60million signing from Palace Eberechi Eze straight in.
Liverpool’s defence looks readily unlockable and Eze always looks like he may have the key somewhere about his person.
His FA Cup winner against Man City in May showed he’s a big-time player, so I like the 18-5 Unibet and MGM are laying about him scoring anytime.
William Hill’s Lee Phelps found a nice-looking double. He said: “Both sides have strengthened up front, with Hugo Ekitike and Viktor Gyokeres both with two goals in two games. The double on both to score anytime looks solid at 15-2.”
There’s the value – shopping at Ekitike Maxx.
Dark horse
17-2: Mo Salah has scored 246 goals for Liverpool in 370 starts.
He’s got one goal in three games so far this term and hasn’t quite looked himself.
It can’t last and Betway’s boosted 17-2 that the Egyptian striker gets two or more goals tomorrow looks a pharaoh bet.
SMALL BET
GIVEN that even winning a European trophy doesn’t guarantee your job at White Hart Lane these days, it’s unlikely that the new occupant Thomas Frank will take the Carabao Cup lightly.
Even though Europa Cup winners are in the Champions League and will be focused on that, it’s not a realistic prospect of silverware.
Faced with a home game against Doncaster in round three of the Carabao, Frank’s outfit are only a small step away from the last 16.
With the semis wrapped up in January, there’s plenty of time to contemplate any bigger fish to fry.
And at a best-priced 11-1 with Ladbrokes to win it, the Lilywhites look a decent prospect of nabbing their first domestic trophy since winning the same competition in 2008.
Another Prem side at a big price, with no European distractions to contemplate, are 18-1 Brighton. No major domestic trophy for them since the Charity Shield in 1910.
CARABAO CUP WINNERS (best price): 5-1 Liverpool; 6-1 Man City; 8-1 Chelsea, Arsenal; 10-1 Newcastle; 11-1 Spurs; 18-1 Brighton; 20-1 Villa; 25-1 Fulham, Palace, Everton; 750-1 Grimsby.
Top Tips
Pro bet
Forest to beat West Ham, Bristol City to beat Hull, Doncaster to beat Rotherham, Exeter to beat Peterborough, Grimsby to beat Bristol Rovers. Acca pays 23-1 with Coral.
Retirement bet
Burnley to win at Man United, Bournemouth to win at Spurs, Watford to beat Southampton, Preston to win at Portsmouth, Burton to beat Luton, Wimbledon to win at Bradford, Colchester to win at Barnet, Walsall to win at MK Dons. Perm 1 x Acca, 8 x 7-folds, 28 x 6-folds. Acca pays 148, 790-1 with Betfred.
Away day
Everton to win at Wolves, Coventry at Oxford, Swansea at Sheff Wed, Palace at Villa. Acca pays 48-1 with Betfred.
Top draw
Sunderland v Brentford, Blackburn v Norwich, Barnsley v Huddersfield, Reading v Port Vale. Acca pays 146-1 with MGM.
TV Special
Chelsea to beat Fulham, Leeds v Newcastle draw, Brighton to beat Man City, Liverpool v Arsenal draw. Acca pays 78-1 with Betfred.
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