Arsenal visits Liverpool for the only all-big six clash in the Premier League this weekend. It’s also an early season clash of the titans, as it features the teams that are currently first and second in the table. With the Gunners’ visit to Anfield being the headliner of PL match day three, let’s run through all the news you can use for this match.
We’ll add video of the manager press conferences after they take place tomorrow.
Liverpool Team News
Midfielder Naby Keita could miss out due to a groin problem, while goalkeeper Alisson remains out of commission due to his injured calf. Defender Nathaniel Clyne is the only other long-term absentee for the Reds.
Arsenal Team News
Attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil (illness) and defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka (match fitness) are expected to be available for this one, but the pair will face a late fitness test when kick-off draws near.
Of much greater concern is the back line. Defenders Kieran Tierney (groin), Hector Bellerin (knee), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) and Rob Holding are all long term injury absentees, with only the latter expected back any time soon.
Holding has resumed full first team training now, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel for him at least.
Arsenal at Liverpool FYIs
Starting XI Predictions: Arsenal Liverpool
Kickoff: Saturday August 24th, Anfield 5:30pm
Odds: Liverpool 8/15 Draw 18/5 Arsenal 9/2
Google result probability: Liverpool FC win 65% Draw 20% Arsenal win 15%
Prediction: Liverpool 3, Arsenal 3
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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