The Hard Tackle takes a look at the upcoming FA Cup third-round clash between Arsenal and Liverpool on Sunday.
The FA Cup third round will continue on Sunday, with the marquee fixture coming from the Emirates. Arsenal and Liverpool will lock horns in a blockbuster clash, with the two teams already locking horns in a few classic clashes in the competition.
Arsenal’s form heading into Sunday’s heavyweight clash has been abysmal, as they ended 2023 with three successive defeats. As for Liverpool, the Reds have overtaken the Gunners in the Premier League standings with two successive victories. These two teams met on Boxing Day, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
Where to Watch Arsenal vs Liverpool
Arsenal vs Liverpool will kick off at 4:30 pm GMT at the Emirates on Sunday evening. BBC One will broadcast the game in the United Kingdom, while the BBC iPlayer will stream it. Readers in India can catch the match on the Sony Sports Network and the Sony LIV app. Viewers in the USA can watch the fixture on ESPN+.
Form
Arsenal: LDWDLL
As iterated earlier, Arsenal’s form has dropped off a cliff in the last few weeks. The Gunners have not won a game in three attempts, with the two matches in the last week of 2023 ending in defeat for them. Their only loss in the most recent six outings came against Brighton & Hove Albion midway through December.
Liverpool: LDWDWW
Liverpool’s recent form almost entirely contrasts Arsenal’s. The Reds are unbeaten in their last five games, including two successive wins that helped them end the year sitting atop the Premier League. The only loss in the most recent six outings came against Union Saint-Gilloise in the UEFA Europa League.
Head-to-Head Record
The head-to-head record between Arsenal and Liverpool slightly favours Liverpool, with the Merseyside club winning 94 games (D64 L82). The Reds have had the upper hand in recent meetings, losing just one of the last eight meetings (W4 D3). But no team has emerged victorious in three match-ups, with the only game this season ending in a 1-1 draw.
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won their last three FA Cup meetings with Liverpool since losing the 2001 FA Cup final in Cardiff.
- Only Manchester United (10) have eliminated Liverpool from the FA Cup more times than Arsenal (8). Meanwhile, only Manchester United (8) have knocked the Gunners out of the competition more often than Liverpool (5).
- Arsenal have lost just three of their last 49 FA Cup home games (W36 D10), going down 1-0 against Blackburn Rovers in 2012/13, 2-1 against Watford in 2015/16, and 3-1 against Manchester United in 2018/19.
- Liverpool have only been eliminated from the FA Cup third round in one of the last 12 seasons, going down 2-1 at Wolves in 2018/19.
- Gabriel Jesus has been involved in 16 goals in 20 FA Cup appearances, scoring ten and assisting six. His most recent appearance in the competition was against Liverpool, providing an assist in Manchester City’s 3-2 semi-final defeat in 2021/22.
Prediction and Betting Tips
Arsenal’s recent form and Liverpool’s incredible run thus far in the 2023/24 season points to the Reds coming out on top in the FA Cup third round on Sunday. But clashes between the two powerhouses of English football are never straightforward. So, it should go down the wire, although we predict Liverpool to win by the barest of margins.
Matches between Arsenal and Liverpool never fail to entertain, troubling the goalscorers multiple times in the game. So, with a double prediction, we are going with the game to have over 2.5 goals and both teams to score on Sunday.
