Match Links
- Barclays Premier League
- 5th Apr 2008
- KO 12:45
- Att: 60,111
Arsenal v Liverpool preview
Watch all the action live on Sky Sports 1 at 12pm
By Joe Drabble Last updated: 4th April 2008
Van Persie: Major doubt
One to watch: Cesc Fabregas
SkyBet odds: Arsenal 11/10 Draw 9/4 Liverpool 2/1
Bet on Saturday's match
Related links
Teams
Also see
Arsenal host Liverpool for the second time in four days as both teams turn their attention to domestic action after Wednesday's UEFA Champions League draw in midweek.
The Gunners will be hoping to slash Manchester United's lead at the top of the Premier League, as they aim to keep alive their slim title-winning hopes with a home victory.
Arsenal have won the last four home league meetings between the sides as Rafa Benitez's men go in search of their first win at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool will be determined to avoid defeat as they travel south in search of points that will maintain distance between themselves and Merseyside rivals Everton in the fight for fourth place.
Arsene Wenger is without striker Robin van Persie for Saturday's clash after the Dutchman picked up a thigh injury during the Champions League encounter.
Impressed
Leading scorer Emmanuel Adebayor is fit to play having opened the scoring in the 1-1 Champions League draw on Wednesday night, while Theo Walcott again impressed from the bench.
Midfielder Abou Diaby is suspended, while full-back Bacary Sagna (ankle) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) are still sidelined. Eduardo is out for the season with a broken leg.
Benitez may shuffle his pack as he looks set to continue prioritising for the Reds' European campaign.
The Liverpool boss has no new injury worries after Wednesday's clash but is without Javier Mascherano following his dramtic dismissal at Old Trafford.
Benitez is likely to rotate his starting line-up in an attempt to keep his men fresh for the return leg with Arsenal at Anfield.
Daniel Agger (foot) will miss the rest of the season so Martin Skrtel looks certain to continue in the heart of the Reds' back four.
Match Poll
Experts & Blogs
Fighting four their lives
Andy Gray fears for Fulham and Bolton, but says Reading and Birmingham aren't out of the woods yet.
One Hull of a season
Kammy is full of praise for Hull City as the Championship race reaches a gripping climax.
Premier League Table
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 38 | 87 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 38 | 85 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 38 | 83 |
| 4 | Liverpool | 38 | 76 |
| 5 | Everton | 38 | 65 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | 38 | 60 |
| 7 | Blackburn Rovers | 38 | 58 |
| 8 | Portsmouth | 38 | 57 |
| 9 | Manchester City | 38 | 55 |
| 10 | West Ham United | 38 | 49 |
| 11 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 46 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 38 | 43 |
| 13 | Middlesbrough | 38 | 42 |
| 14 | Wigan Athletic | 38 | 40 |
| 15 | Sunderland | 38 | 39 |
| 16 | Bolton Wanderers | 38 | 37 |
| 17 | Fulham | 38 | 36 |
| 18 | Reading | 38 | 36 |
| 19 | Birmingham City | 38 | 35 |
| 20 | Derby County | 38 | 11 |
