FA Cup: Arsenal vs Liverpool Betting Odds & Preview
Third Round Blockbuster
Second Meeting in Two Weeks
On December 23rd, the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool became the most-watched English language Premier League broadcast in US history. Following that 1-1 draw, the teams will meet again on Sunday in England’s FA Cup. No team has won the FA Cup more than Arsenal, who have taken home the trophy 14 times. Liverpool have won England’s domestic cup eight times of their own but one team will head for an early exit on Saturday. For a third-round blockbuster, let’s check out the Arsenal vs Liverpool betting odds.
Arsenal vs Liverpool
Day/Time:
Location: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Head-to-Head
Arsenal head into this match unbeaten in their last three matches vs Liverpool. December’s match finished 1-1 and the Arsenal vs Liverpool betting odds listed a draw at +265. Arsenal took an early lead on a Gabriel Magalhaes header, but Mo Salah equalized before the end of the first half. Trent Alexander-Arnold had a golden opportunity in the second half but the Liverpool right back hit the crossbar.
Recent FA Cup scores in this fixture have gone Arsenal’s way more often than not. The Gunners have won four of the five FA Cup meetings in the 21st century. Still, Liverpool have lost just one of their last 11 matches vs Arsenal, in 90 minutes.
Arsenal in First Slump of Season
Arsenal finished off 2023 in disastrous fashion. They went winless in their last three Premier League games of the year and lost their previous two. Both the 2-0 loss to West Ham and the 2-1 defeat to Fulham were matches where the soccer betting lines favored Arsenal to win.
Mikel Arteta cannot seem to get his front three going. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus have only combined for 12 goals this season. That’s by far the least of any top five team’s front three trio so far.
The Gunners looked completely out of ideas vs Fulham and their attack is starting to get a bit stale. Martin Odegaard was key for unlocking teams’ defenses last season, but Arsenal’s captain hasn’t been at his best in 2023-24.
Arsenal, who were on top of the table just a couple of weeks ago, are now in fourth place. Their loss to West Ham, a few days after Christmas, was also their first loss at the Emirates this season.
Arsenal will try to end this midseason slump as soon as possible, and the FA Cup is always a good place to start. The Gunners have already won an FA Cup under Arteta, and they’re the most successful team in the history of the competition.
Bettors should note that Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is away on international duty with Japan. Mohamed Elneny is also away with Egypt but he rarely sees the field. Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira and Jurrien Timber are out injured as Thomas Partey nears a return to action.
Liverpool Missing Salah
Liverpool are the Premier League leaders heading into 2024. Plus, in their first game of the new year, the Reds set a Premier League record with 7.27 expected goals vs Newcastle.
In reality, Jurgen Klopp’s men only scored four times but they put on an electric performance in the 4-2 victory. Mohamed Salah missed a penalty and the first half finished scoreless but a six-goal second half followed.
Salah made up for his miss by scoring Liverpool’s first goal of the game, but the Magpies’ Alexander Isak equalized minutes later. Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo scored in quick succession to put Liverpool ahead 3-1 but Newcastle refused to quit.
Sven Botman found the net to put the Magpies within one, but Salah scored a redemption penalty as Liverpool came away with all three points. With 45 points through 20 matches, Liverpool have a three point lead at the top of the table.
Now, they’ll kick off their FA Cup campaign as a couple of players leave for international duty. Salah is set to link up with Egypt ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, while Japan midfielder Wataru Endo will play in the AFC Asian Cup. Kostas Tsimikas, Andy Robertson, Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara are also dealing with injuries.
Arsenal vs Liverpool Match Analysis & Odds
Arsenal will undoubtedly be relieved that they don’t have to defend Salah on Sunday. He scored vs the Gunners in the match a couple weeks back and caused Zinchenko a bunch of headaches.
Despite the Gunners’ slump, the Arsenal vs Liverpool betting odds list the hosts as even-money ATS and moneyline favorites. It will be interesting to see if Arteta shakes anything up here, as Arsenal have scored just twice in their last three games.
Liverpool have a busy January ahead of them as they also take on Fulham in the EFL Cup semifinal. The first leg is on Wednesday, which gives the Reds just a couple of days of rest beforehand.
Liverpool head into this match as +235 underdogs, but they’re no stranger to winning on the road at the Emirates. Liverpool +0.5 comes in at -130 odds, though as they’re implied to be more likely to avoid defeat than not. A draw would mean a replay round and a deadlock is currently priced at +280.
Without Salah, Diogo Jota could play a key role here and he did win a penalty vs Newcastle. Jota has an eye for goal and has caused the Gunners nightmares in previous seasons. Arsenal desperately need one of their attacking players to step up here, but goals are expected, regardless. Over 2.5, 3 goals come in at -125 odds.
For European tournaments betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
