How Liverpool’s Next Five Fixtures Compare to Arsenal’s
Liverpool’s dramatic late victory over Brentford on Saturday ensured they remain in poll position in the hunt for the Premier League title. Darwin Nunez’s stoppage-time heroics delivered a much-needed boost after recent draws with Manchester United and Nottingham Forest threatened to derail the Reds’ momentum.
However, the road ahead offers little respite, with Liverpool and their closest challengers, Arsenal, gearing up for a series of challenging fixtures. Both teams know that consistency over the next few weeks will be critical to maintaining their title ambitions. Here’s a detailed look at how Liverpool’s next five Premier League fixtures compare to Arsenal’s.
Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
Liverpool’s upcoming matches may appear manageable at first glance, but they carry the potential for surprises. The Reds will need to balance their domestic ambitions with their ongoing commitments in Europe.
1. Liverpool vs Ipswich Town (25/01/25)
- Overview: A home clash with struggling Ipswich Town looks like the easiest of Liverpool’s upcoming games. With Ipswich battling relegation, Jürgen Klopp’s side will be favorites to secure a comfortable victory.
2. Bournemouth vs Liverpool (01/02/25)
- Overview: A trip to the Vitality Stadium follows. While Liverpool have enjoyed recent success here, they’ll recall the painful 1-0 defeat in March 2023, where Mohamed Salah’s missed penalty proved costly.
3. Everton vs Liverpool (12/02/25)
- Overview: The rescheduled Merseyside Derby takes centre stage in mid-February. Goodison Park has been a tricky venue for Liverpool and this will be the last ever League derby played at the ground.
4. Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (16/02/25)
- Overview: A home fixture against Wolves offers Liverpool an opportunity to pick up valuable points. Wolves’ inconsistent form this season should make this a winnable game for the Reds.
5. Manchester City vs Liverpool (23/02/25)
- Overview: The toughest test of the lot comes at the Etihad Stadium. Liverpool have struggled in recent trips to Manchester City, failing to win in their last eight visits. With City’s title aspirations all but over, this clash could still have huge ramifications for the title race.
Arsenal’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures
Arsenal, too, face a mixed bag of fixtures in the coming weeks. The Gunners will need to navigate tough challenges to maintain pressure on Liverpool at the top.
1. Wolves vs Arsenal (25/01/25)
- Overview: Arsenal open this stretch with a trip to Wolves. Having won their last seven meetings with the Old Gold, Arsenal will be confident of extending that streak.
2. Arsenal vs Manchester City (02/02/25)
- Overview: A blockbuster showdown against Manchester City looms large. Arsenal will aim to build on their spirited 2-2 draw at the Etihad earlier in the season, where a last-minute equalizer saved a point.
3. Leicester City vs Arsenal (15/02/25)
- Overview: A trip to struggling Leicester City should favor Arsenal. The Foxes are in poor form, and the Gunners have a six-game winning streak against them.
4. Arsenal vs West Ham United (22/02/25)
- Overview: A London derby against West Ham follows. Arsenal will be wary of the Hammers, who defeated them at the Emirates last season in a result that impacted the title race.
5. Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal (26/02/25)
- Overview: Arsenal round off this stretch with a trip to Nottingham Forest. While the Gunners thumped Forest 3-0 in November, the City Ground is a notoriously tricky venue, and Forest have been in strong form recently.
Comparison and Analysis
Key Challenges:
Both teams face Manchester City in this stretch, a fixture that could still have an influence on the title race. Liverpool’s additional challenge is the Merseyside Derby, while Arsenal must navigate a tricky trip to Nottingham Forest.
Home Advantage:
Liverpool will play three of their next five matches at home, compared to Arsenal’s two. This slight edge could prove pivotal in maintaining their momentum.
Potential Banana Skins:
- Liverpool’s away fixtures against Bournemouth and Everton pose potential threats, given their historical struggles at these venues.
- Arsenal must be cautious against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, two sides capable of causing upsets.
Decisive Fixture:
The showdown between each team and Manchester City will be pivotal. Dropped points in these matches could have far-reaching consequences in the title race.
Conclusion
Liverpool and Arsenal face crucial tests over the next five fixtures. While Liverpool’s schedule appears slightly more favourable on paper, Arsenal’s ability to handle tricky away games will be critical. Both teams must remain focused and consistent to keep their title dreams alive.
