There’s something about Arsenal-Liverpool matchups that bring out an abundance of goals.
In their last six meetings across all competitions, the Gunners and Reds have put the ball in the back of the net on 32 occasions.
Their last meeting in the EFL Cup produced 10 goals, five from each side, and the victorious squad has put up at least three strikes in five of the last six games.
We all know about the depth of scoring options in the Liverpool lineup, led by Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, but Arsenal can score with the best of them as well at times.
Both squads are looking to rebound from disappointing weekend results against Burnley and Tottenham, respectively, and in Arsenal’s case, it is trying to salvage something out of a season that likely will not produce a berth in European competitions.
The teams above Arsenal in the Premier League table have more to play for. Leicester City and Manchester United are level on points in the race for fourth, while Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United and Tottenham are separated by three points in the battle for sixth.
Over in La Liga, Thursday should be a hectic day as its season begins to wind down. Nine of the 10 games will be played at once on the season’s penultimate matchday. The La Liga campaign ends Sunday.
The Serie A title race is technically still up for grabs after Juventus stumbled twice last week, but Lazio needs a Herculean effort to spoil Juve’s celebration in a few weeks.
As always, our odds come to you from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Joe Tansey
Record: 50-55 (3-5 weekend record)
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
As I outlined above, the Arsenal-Liverpool matchup has seen plenty of goals lately, which is why the price for Over 2.5 goals is so low.
You can actually get Liverpool on the money line at a much better price, which is the way I’m leaning.
Jurgen Klopp’s side suffered a rare home draw against Burnley and it doesn’t drop points in two straight games often.
Even Arsenal fans don’t trust Arsenal right now, or ever if we’re being honest, so Liverpool feels like the safe play.
Pick: Liverpool (-117)
Newcastle United vs. Tottenham
Spurs are riding the high of a rivalry win over Arsenal and face a Newcastle United team with little left to play for.
Jose Mourinho’s side could climb as high as sixth place, which may come with a European qualification berth.
Spurs have also won their last two trips to St. James’ Park, so again, this feels like a safe pick.
Pick: Tottenham (-132)
Burnley vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Burnley may be a trendy money line pick because of its value and the performance it put in against Liverpool over the weekend.
However, there is a reason why the Clarets are such a significant home underdog. Wolves can’t afford to drop more points from sixth place and they have to use their final league games to not only preserve position, but stay sharp for the Europa League.
Pick: Wolverhampton Wanderers (-110)
SPAL vs. Inter Milan
If you’ve been following along with Serie A trends, you’re more than aware of Inter Milan being a scoring machine.
Inter has scored at least two goals in five of its last six games and faces a SPAL team that has been outscored 8-0 in the last three contests.
Pick: Over 3.5 (+135)
Udinese vs. Lazio
Here I am again trusting Lazio.
Lazio has lost three in a row and has had one of the worst returns of any major European side.
But Lazio has dominated its matchups with Udinese and has shut out its Wednesday opponent in four of the last six meetings.
Pick: Lazio (+100)
Sassuolo vs. Juventus
This feels like the perfect bounce-back opportunity for Juventus.
The Bianconeri have won five of their last six meetings with Sassuolo and the eighth-place side allowed 11 goals in its last six games.
Picks: Juventus (-165); Over 3.5 (+135)
FC Porto vs. Sporting CP
FC Porto and Sporting CP have been on fire since the return of play in Portugal.
Porto is the better side of the two and can clinch the league crown with a win and a Benfica loss.
Pick: FC Porto (-137)
Larry Henry Jr.
Record: 42-51 (3-5 weekend record)
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
A trip to Arsenal should be easy for Liverpool, who has beaten the Gunners in back-to-back league matches.
Arsenal hasn't defeated Liverpool at the Emirates since 2015 and that trend will not change Wednesday.
Pick: Liverpool (-117)
Leicester City vs. Sheffield United
A few weeks ago, Leicester City looked to be a lock for a top-four finish, but the Foxes' dismal form could cost them a place in Europe.
Brendan Rodgers' side is looking to bounce back from a weekend loss to Bournemouth in a showdown with Sheffield United.
The visiting Blades have won back-to-back matches, including over top-six sides Wolves and Chelsea. Riding with the heavy underdog to make it three wins in a row and remain in the top four conversation.
Pick: Sheffield United (+310)
Udinese vs. Lazio
Lazio hasn't won in three league matches, but a trip to inconsistent Udinese is the perfect time to bounce back.
Simone Inzaghi's men are riding a seven-match winning run against Udinese in all competitions, including back-to-back shutout wins. Udinese saw a three-match unbeaten run snapped by Sampdoria last weekend and should find it tough against a Lazio side still alive for the Serie A title.
Pick: Lazio (+100)
Bologna vs. Napoli
Bologna and Napoli are looking to bounce back from weekend draws.
Napoli has lost its last two league matches to Bologna, but the head-to-head meetings have been full of goals. Over 3.5 has been reached in three of the last four head-to-head matchups, a trend I like to continue.
Picks: Over 3.5 Goals (+165)
Burnley vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves snapped a two-game losing run after defeating Everton 3-0 on Sunday. Despite Burnley riding a five-match unbeaten streak, I expect Wolves to get the job done at Turf Moor and remain in the top-four conversation.
Pick: Wolves (-110)
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Huddersfield Town
Sheffield Wednesday picked up a morale-boosting win over QPR last weekend. The Owls have defeated the Terriers in their last five league meetings, including a 2-0 result back in September 2019.
Pick: Sheffield Wednesday (+150)
Two-Team Parlay: Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion (+163)
The top two teams in the EFL Championship are riding a combined nine-match unbeaten run into midweek clashes against Barnsley and Fulham, respectively. Choosing these teams individually isn't worth much, but combining them gets you some extra juice.