Mark Lawrenson makes prediction on outcome of Arsenal vs Liverpool

Pundit Mark Lawrenson has made his prediction on the outcome of the mammoth Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool on Sunday, October 27. He has anticipated that the game will end up in a draw, claiming that title contenders Manchester City will be the 'big winners of the weekend'.

Akin to last season, the Gunners, Reds, and Cityzens will likely be embroiled in an intense race for the league title. City have consolidated their position with a 1-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday, putting all the pressure on the other two sides.

Coming into the game, the two teams have enjoyed contrasting fortunes. Mikel Arteta's side suffered their first loss of the season away against Bournemouth (2-0) last week. They then only managed to scrape a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League at home (October 23).

On the other hand, since their 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool are on an eight-game winning streak in all competitions. Arne Slot's side have only conceded five goals in 12 games this season. The Dutchman has had the best start of any manager in Reds history (11 wins in 12 games).

Ahead of the game at the Emirates on Sunday, Lawrenson penned his prediction in his column on Paddy Power. He wrote:

"This is the main event of the weekend but this might be a bore draw. Arsenal cannot afford to get beaten if they’re serious about being in the title race. Martin Odegaard’s still out and William Saliba’s suspended."

"Arsenal might play like they’re away from home and it will be tricky for Liverpool to get all three points unless one of their players does something daft again. I suspect Manchester City will be the big winners of the weekend. Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool," Lawrenson concluded.

With teams like Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion also showcasing incredible form in the league, a slip-up could prove costly for either side in this game.

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"If Arsenal lose this game, they are out" - Paul Merson makes bold prediction about the outcome of Arsenal vs Liverpool

Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson has claimed that a loss for the Gunners would see them crash out of the 2024-25 EPL title race. He made the claim in his column on Sportskeeda, predicting a draw between the two sides.

Merson, who bagged 93 goals and 50 assists in 401 appearances for the north London side between 1985 and 1997, wrote:

"We said Liverpool hadn't played anyone big until last week and they responded by winning against Chelsea! That was their first major test and this is their next one. They couldn't have asked for a better time to play against Arsenal. If they lose this game, they are out of the title race!

"People can go like, 'Oh there are 29 games left' and all that. But if they lose, it is a six-point gap with Manchester City. How can you expect City to lose ground on that advantage and expect them to win all their remaining games at the same time? With Liverpool also in the title race, you're chasing two teams now and neither of them look like losing at the moment," Merson added.

The Gunners are fourth in the Premier League table, four points behind second-placed Liverpool.