AFC v LFC - UAE Supporters Club preview

Sport360 staff 11:04 04/04/2015
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  • Striker showdown: Olivier Giroud (l) and Raheem Sterling.

    Stadium: Emirates

    Kick-off: 15:45 (GST)
    Live on: beIN Sports 1 & 11HD

    The early kick-off today is going to be a cracker. Arsenal host Liverpool in a match where both teams can’t afford to lose in their quest for Champions League football next season. 

    – Andy Gray: 'Liverpool must not be held to ransom by Raheem Sterling'

    Fantasy football tips: Double trouble for QPR and Aston Villa (GW31)
    – #360stats: Rooney closing in on new Manchester United record

    To gain an insight into the mindset of the fans we asked members of the respective UAE Supporters Clubs to share with us their predictions, likely line-ups and players to watch.

    Richard D’Cruze – Arsenal Supporters Club UAE

    Arsenal have been on a great streak since losing to Tottenham in the first week of February.

    Unbeaten in six matches and third in the table – seven points behind leaders Chelsea, the Gunners will need to continue this fine form against Liverpool on Saturday so that they can tighten the gap for the title run-in as the end of season is in sight.

    A victory will also taste sweeter after the despicable draw against the Reds at Merseyside in December left a sour taste in ever fans mouth.

    Liverpool are six points behind Arsenal in sixth place and need this win to keep their top four hopes alive.

    Jack Wilshere could make his Arsenal comeback against Liverpool and Danny Welbeck may feature after pulling out of the useless international friendly between Italy and England, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is still on the sideline with a hamstring injury he suffered during the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.

    Mathieu Debuchy made his comeback from what looked to be a season-ending shoulder injury in a friendly against Brentford on Tuesday, which also saw Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby feature; but the chances of the trio featuring on Saturday is unlikely.

    Seeing that most of the first team players are coming back from their respective injuries, it is a boost for Arsene Wenger and the club as they need all players fit for the remainder of the season.

    Score Prediction: Arsenal 1 Liverpool 0

    Likely Arsenal line-up: Ospina, Monreal, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Bellerin, Coquelin, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud

    Arsenal’s player to watch: Oliver Giroud

    Olivier Giroud has been in fine form.

    Five goals and an assist in March saw the Frenchman win the Barclay’s Player of the Month. The striker has now scored 13 goals this campaign and will be heavily relied upon for the rest of the season to push for a title fight.

    Liverpool’s player to watch: Raheem Sterling

    All eyes will be on the 20-year-old after he refused to sign a lucrative deal recently, opening up a summer transfer saga. The young forward has recently been linked to a move to the Emirates, so it will be interesting to see if he will let his football do the talking.

    Where to watch: The Official Arsenal UAE Supporters Club usually gather at Spirals bar at Grandeur Hotel in Al Barsha. However, due to refurbishment reasons, Arsenal UAE will be gathering at The Crown & Lion Bar at Byblos Hotel in TECOM. For more information please contact: [email protected]

    Daniel Watson – Liverpool Supporters Club UAE

    After a great run of form we were brought back down to earth against Man Utd. But it is easy to forget that until that point we had not lost a game since the away fixture at Old Trafford, way back in December. 

    The Arsenal game is almost always an entertaining affair and tomorrow's game should be no different. Expect goals from both sides as Arsenal look to cement their top four spot and Liverpool look to make ground on them, and others around them. 

    Liverpool will be missing Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel after their stamping incidents in the previous game.

    These will both be big losses to the side, Gerrard and Skrtel are very influential to others around them and can help pull the team through to victory.

    After another week of media speculation and now Raheem Sterlings interview, all eyes will be on him for sure.

    Someone will need to take this game by the scruff of the neck and the 20-year-old has the ability to do it. Less talking, more performing needed from him. 

    Lucas should return to the fold which is a huge boost for the Reds. Only when he is not playing do we realise just how much we miss him. Such an underrated star of this side. 

    Daniel Sturridge posted photos of himself training this week, and Adam Lallana and Jordan Ibe have also returned to the training ground in the past week. Any of these 3 would be a huge boost to the squad.

    Likely Liverpool line-up: Mignolet, Can, Lovren, Sakho, Markovic, Henderson, Allen, Moreno, Sterling, Coutinho, Sturridge.

    Liverpool’s player to watch: Liverpool's man to make a difference will be Coutinho, but as I said previously, all eyes will be on Sterling. He should have a point to prove otherwise he could well be playing for Arsenal next season…

    Score Prediction: I am going to go for 3-2 Liverpool win. Sterling and Coutinho to share goalscoring duties.

    Do you agree or have they missed the mark? Use #360Fans to share your thoughts.

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