Prediction League Get there before Lawro !

Liverpool at home to Arsenal, this is the game of the week, Liverpool and Arsenal are the only teams with maximum points in two games. This game is not likely to finish 0:0. I cannot remember the last time that happens at Anfield.
I am going for home win: Liverpool 3:1 Arsenal

Other fixtures and predictions:

Friday 23 August: 2019

Aston Villa V Everton 2:2

Saturday 24 August 2019

Norwich City V Chelsea 1:3
Brighton & Hove Albion V Southampton 2:2
Man United V Crystal Palace 2:0
Sheff Utd V Leicester City 0:3
Watford V West Ham United 2:1
Liverpool V Arsenal 3:1

Sunday 25 August 2019
Bournemouth AFC V Manchester City 1: 4
Tottenham V Newcastle United 2:0
Wolverhampton Wanderers V Burnley 2:2

 

Charlie Nicholas has gone for home win.

Liverpool vs Arsenal - Live on Sky Sports Premier League, Saturday, 3pm
As a former Arsenal player, I'm dreading this game.

It's been a good start for Arsenal. They haven't played fabulously well but they got a dogged win at Newcastle and then beat Burnley, which was a bit of a grind. But how are they going to defend against Liverpool?

Arsenal have improved a bit defensively but it will take time. David Luiz could make mistakes or he could have a man-of-the-match performance. Sokratis doesn't offer enough for me and they are still vulnerable in the full-back areas.

Liverpool are strong favourites for me, but there is some intrigue in seeing Arsenal try and take on Liverpool's defence at the moment, especially with Adrian in goal instead of Alisson.
We take a look back at one of the most dramatic matches in Premier League history, when Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin halted Liverpool's title challenge with four goals
I think Arsenal should play a back four with two protectors in front. I don't want Granit Xhaka in the team, I would prefer Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. They would give Arsenal energy and defensive qualities. Then I would want Alexandre Lacazette through the middle and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe to provide pace on the counter and make things happen, with Dani Ceballos just behind them.

I'd have that line-up to give Arsenal a back six and then a front four that could cause Liverpool problems on the counter-attack.

I think Unai Emery will go a bit more cautious and play Aubameyang with Lacazette on the bench, maybe along with Ceballos. If he does that then Liverpool will win.

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Arsenal have to look at a way to get the first goal and try to hurt Liverpool and put them on the back foot. However, I have a feeling Emery might be a bit more negative.

Ceballos is very neat and tidy. Against Burnley, he looked a yard sharper than he did on the opening weekend and that's a promising sign. He looks like a good player for Arsenal and I would start him.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)

 

LAWRO HAS GONE FOR HOME WIN 2:1
Liverpool v Arsenal (17:30 BST)

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Arsenal boss Unai Emery has made some good signings but I don't think Arsenal have any leaders in the team and they struggle defensively. If they have a lot of the ball they can cause you problems though. Their movement is excellent. They have good midfield players and quality up front.

But if Liverpool even have 30 minutes at their best, you just know they are going to create chances and score. The European champions haven't quite been on it defensively but they should have enough to beat Arsenal.

Full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold looks a little bit off so Jurgen Klopp opted to go with Joe Gomez against Chelsea and it's a good thing there's that competition for places. Joel Matip has been in the team too. He was as good as anybody at the end of last season.

Klopp has a really good record against Arsenal - he hasn't lost a game while Liverpool manager and I don't think that will change this weekend.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1