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Arsenal - Liverpool Special: What Odds Andrey Arshavin Making It A Night To 'Four-Get' For Rafa Benitez Again?
They're out of the title race but both sides are pushing for third spot. If recent encounters are anything to go by we're in for a treat at the Emirates. Goal.com looks ahead to the match and picks out some tasty bets to have a punt on...
Feb 9, 2010 4:00:00 PM
By Patrick Reilly, Goal.com Betting Editor
Odds Supplied by Titanbet
By lunchtime last Saturday the Premier League table had a rather familiar look to it. Liverpool's derby win with 10 men vaulted the Reds into fourth spot for the first time since last October. The status quo has been restored.
Rafael Benitez's side travel to London knowing a win would put them only two points behind the Gunners in the race for third place. Such a scenario would have been unthinkable only a few weeks ago, but consecutive defeats to fellow big four sides Manchester United and Chelsea have wrecked the Gunners' title chances. Finishing third is the best either of these sides can hope for from a dismal campaign.
2-1 to Arsenal - Repeat of December result: 7/1
1-1 Draw - Repeat of corresponding fixture last year: 11/2
0-1 to Liverpool - Repeat of Reds' last win at Arsenal: 15/2
4-4 - Repeat of April epic at Anfield: 100/1
Something we can expect on Wednesday is goals and most likely at least three given the recent crackers we've been served up by these sides. A Julio Baptista inspired Arsenal battered Rafa's Reds 6-3 in the Carling Cup at Anfield in 2007, Liverpool won 4-2 at home in the Champions League a year later and we had that dramatic 4-4 draw on Merseyside last April which put the nail in Benitez's title dreams.
You have to go back to the tail end of the '90s to find a scoreless draw featuring these attacking outfits. It occurred on January 9, 1999 and let's never speak of it again.
Rumour has it Rafa Benitez has gone off vodka after the damage Andrey Arshavin has dished out to the Reds. The little Russian genius has bagged five in his two appearances against Liverpool, including that spectacular quartet last April and the winner in December. Niklas Bendtner, meanwhile, scored in the corresponding fixture at the Emirates in the 2007/08 season.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has scored three goals against Arsenal in his
career while team-mate Fernando Torres was on the mark twice in that 4-4 draw.
Niklas Bendtner to score at any time: 11/8
Fernando Torres to score at any time: 15/8
Steven Gerrard to score at any time: 15/8
Even with the boardroom wrangles and constant speculation surrounding their star players and manager, Liverpool are unbeaten in seven league matches. Rafa Benitez, who has been heavily linked with Juventus, has steadied the ship with his side taking 17 points from a possible 21.
Steven Gerrard to be a Liverpool player at start of next season: 1/8
Fernando Torres to be a Liverpool player at start of next season: 1/6
Liverpool to have new owners by start of next season: 15/8
Arsenal and Liverpool are back in the top four as the contenders beneath them
simply haven't been consistent enough. Finishing third (at best) will be slim
consolation for two outfits who started the season with genuine title hopes. With the league a distant dream the only silverware they can hope for is in
Europe. Arsenal take on Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League next week while Liverpool have been installed as favourites for the Europa League directly ahead of Rafael Benitez's old team Valencia and, who knows, maybe his next one from Turin...
Arsenal to win Champions League: 8/1
Liverpool to win Europa League: 6/1
Arsenal to win a trophy this season: 9/2, Tropheyless: 1/8
Liverpool to win a trophy this season: 6/1, Tropheyless: 1/12
Both to win a trophy: 50/1
Both to win nothing: 2/9
For a comprehensive list of bets for the Premier League click here
By lunchtime last Saturday the Premier League table had a rather familiar look to it. Liverpool's derby win with 10 men vaulted the Reds into fourth spot for the first time since last October. The status quo has been restored.
Rafael Benitez's side travel to London knowing a win would put them only two points behind the Gunners in the race for third place. Such a scenario would have been unthinkable only a few weeks ago, but consecutive defeats to fellow big four sides Manchester United and Chelsea have wrecked the Gunners' title chances. Finishing third is the best either of these sides can hope for from a dismal campaign.
Arsenal to finish in top four: 1/10, Outside top four: 11/2
Liverpool to finish in top four: 11/10, Outside top four: 4/6
Both to finish in top four: 11/8, Outside top four: 10/1
Both teams are hardly strangers to one another having clashed frequently in the Carling Cup and those epic Champions League matches in recent years. Arsenal have already turned the Reds over twice this season, dumping them out of the League Cup and stealing a come-from-behind league win at Anfield in December.
On home turf Arsene Wenger's charges have a vastly superior record and haven't lost to Wednesday's visitors in 11 matches. Indeed, you need to go back almost exactly a decade to find Liverpool's last victory, when Titi Camara (remember him?) notched the winner on February 13, 2000 at Highbury in a league match. Factor in Liverpool's poor away form, with five defeats on the road already, and it's no surprise the odds favour a home win.
2-1 to Arsenal - Repeat of December result: 7/1
1-1 Draw - Repeat of corresponding fixture last year: 11/2
0-1 to Liverpool - Repeat of Reds' last win at Arsenal: 15/2
4-4 - Repeat of April epic at Anfield: 100/1
Something we can expect on Wednesday is goals and most likely at least three given the recent crackers we've been served up by these sides. A Julio Baptista inspired Arsenal battered Rafa's Reds 6-3 in the Carling Cup at Anfield in 2007, Liverpool won 4-2 at home in the Champions League a year later and we had that dramatic 4-4 draw on Merseyside last April which put the nail in Benitez's title dreams.
You have to go back to the tail end of the '90s to find a scoreless draw featuring these attacking outfits. It occurred on January 9, 1999 and let's never speak of it again.
Rumour has it Rafa Benitez has gone off vodka after the damage Andrey Arshavin has dished out to the Reds. The little Russian genius has bagged five in his two appearances against Liverpool, including that spectacular quartet last April and the winner in December. Niklas Bendtner, meanwhile, scored in the corresponding fixture at the Emirates in the 2007/08 season.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has scored three goals against Arsenal in his
career while team-mate Fernando Torres was on the mark twice in that 4-4 draw.
Niklas Bendtner to score at any time: 11/8
Fernando Torres to score at any time: 15/8
Steven Gerrard to score at any time: 15/8
Even with the boardroom wrangles and constant speculation surrounding their star players and manager, Liverpool are unbeaten in seven league matches. Rafa Benitez, who has been heavily linked with Juventus, has steadied the ship with his side taking 17 points from a possible 21.
Steven Gerrard to be a Liverpool player at start of next season: 1/8
Fernando Torres to be a Liverpool player at start of next season: 1/6
Liverpool to have new owners by start of next season: 15/8
Arsenal and Liverpool are back in the top four as the contenders beneath them
simply haven't been consistent enough. Finishing third (at best) will be slim
consolation for two outfits who started the season with genuine title hopes. With the league a distant dream the only silverware they can hope for is in
Europe. Arsenal take on Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League next week while Liverpool have been installed as favourites for the Europa League directly ahead of Rafael Benitez's old team Valencia and, who knows, maybe his next one from Turin...
Arsenal to win Champions League: 8/1
Liverpool to win Europa League: 6/1
Arsenal to win a trophy this season: 9/2, Tropheyless: 1/8
Liverpool to win a trophy this season: 6/1, Tropheyless: 1/12
Both to win a trophy: 50/1
Both to win nothing: 2/9
For a comprehensive list of bets for the Premier League click here
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2/15/12
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
2/15/12
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
2/15/12
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
2/15/12
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
2/15/12
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
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