Sunday’s Premier League action culminates with a tasty Anfield clash between Liverpool and Leicester City, while Arsenal’s earlier trip to Leeds United also catches the eye.
The Gunners go to Elland Road aiming to bounce back from a home 3-0 humbling against Aston Villa before the international break but are unlikely to find it straightforward against a Leeds side determined to impress back in the top flight.
Leaky Leeds Need to Tighten Up
Despite earning plenty of plaudits for their hard-working, attacking approach, the Whites go into the game on the back of successive 4-1 thrashings and will be wary of an Arsenal side who have actually been better away from home so far this term.
Mikel Arteta’s men have already won at Fulham and Manchester United in the league, while they also secured victories on the road in the League Cup at Leicester and Liverpool.
This West Yorkshire showdown looks fairly evenly poised but the visitors appear decent value to pick up all three points at 5/4, while both teams to score and an away win, on offer at 49/20, may also be worth backing.
Expect Goals at Elland Road
Leeds have not been shy coming forward so far upon their return to the Premier League and have scored 14 goals but they clearly have issues at the back to work on as Marcelo Bielsa’s men have shipped 17 at the other end.
Patrick Bamford, who is 6/4 to net anytime, has impressed with seven strikes so far and if anyone is to find the back of the net later in White, it’s likely to be him.
Rodgers Returns to Anfield
At 7:15 it’s the turn of the champions to see if they can keep pace with Spurs and Chelsea at the top when they host Leicester, who themselves have designs on going back to the summit of the table.
With Liverpool’s well-documented injury problems, plenty are suggesting this could finally be the night the Reds’ long unbeaten Anfield run in the league comes to an end and Leicester hold some appeal at 57/20 to win.
Minus Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold at the back, plus shorn of skipper Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah further afield, Liverpool are certainly weaker and the Foxes will look to exploit them.
Jamie Vardy’s pace will cause issues for likely stand-in centre-back Nat Phillips but Brendan Rodgers, back at his old club, is still likely to try and execute a defensive game-plan overall and hit Jurgen Klopp’s men on the break, much like they did in their previous big wins at Man City and Leeds.
Home Comforts Can Help the Reds
That said, Liverpool are still such a formidable outfit at home and, even without Salah, they have in-form Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane to rely on for goals.
Expect plenty of action at either end but the Merseysiders have already displayed an ability to win when the going gets tough this term – coming from behind to beat both Sheffield United and West Ham recently, and this could follow a similar pattern.
Both teams to score and a home win is available at 19/10, while Jota to score anytime appeals as well at 7/5.
*All odds correct at time of writing
