FST’s 25/1 #OddsOnThat Community Shield Special for Arsenal vs Liverpool

Updated on 9:14am GMT 29 August 2020

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Before becoming a Sports Journalist for Free Super Tips, Aaron spent three years studying Sports Journalism at the University of Sunderland while taking in the Black Cats' 'glory years' under Martin O'Neill. Now back in Northern Ireland he turns niche stats into predictions for FST, while he's one of the few people on this island who is equally comfortable at Windsor Park and the Aviva.

Less than a week after the 2019/20 Champions League final, the 2020/21 season begins at Wembley Stadium. FA Cup winners Arsenal take on Premier League champions Liverpool in this season’s Community Shield.

With a history of goals between these two sides in recent years, the annual curtain-raiser should be a thrilling one.

As we prepare to mark the start of the 20/21 campaign, we’ve put together an #OddsOnThat selection to accompany this clash at Wembley.

You can see our 25/1 four-fold and the reasoning for each leg below, while there’s even more analysis in our Arsenal vs Liverpool predictions.

What is Betfair’s #OddsOnThat?

Betfair’s #OddsOnThat feature allows you create a customised multiples bet based on your own unique picks ahead of a particular football match.

You can choose from a huge variety of markets and once you have decided on your selection, you can request a price for your acca from Betfair on Twitter using the #OddsOnThat hashtag.

Want to add FST’s 30/1 selection straight to your betslip? Check it out below:

FST’s Arsenal vs Liverpool #OOT

Over 3.5 Goals

We’re hoping for a high-scoring start to the new season and these two sides are set to deliver. Their form late last season saw plenty of goals scored, as Arsenal’s last ten competitive games have seen a total of 25 goals scored and Liverpool’s nine outings since the restart saw 31 goals scored.

That run includes a 2-1 victory for Arsenal when the pair met at the Emirates in July. However, even that meeting was tight in comparison to their clashes over the years. Eight of the last ten meetings between Arsenal and Liverpool have seen four or more goals scored. These ten meetings have averaged a massive 5.2 goals per game.

Both sides have kept faith in their forward lines this season, so we expect both sides to deliver in this clash. We’ve started our predictions for this clash by backing another four goals when the pair meet at Wembley.

Arsenal Aubameyang and Wolves Saiss

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to score

If there are going to be goals here, expect Pierre Emerick Aubameyang to get among them. He’s earned a new contract after a brilliant season, while he’s solidified his place at the forefront of Mikel Arteta’s plans.

Aubameyang scored 29 goals in all competitions for Arsenal last season and has scored six in his last four games. That bodes well for their encounter with the Reds, given how impressive the Gabon forward has been at Wembley.

Aubameyang fired Arsenal to cup glory last term with a semi-final brace against Man City and another two in the final against Chelsea. The Reds did look a little suspect at the back in the final run of games last term, so we think the Gunners’ man will add to his fine Wembley record.

Mo Salah to score

Liverpool have their own threat at the other end, with Mo Salah getting involved in 29 goals in his 33 Premier League games last term. He’ll be central to the Reds’ hopes in the coming season, while he’s tended to make a sharp start to the season.

Salah has scored in each of Liverpool’s opening games of the season since arriving from Roma in 2017. Meanwhile, he also boasts an excellent record against the Gunners. Salah has scored five goals in six meetings with Arsenal since arriving at Liverpool. Including his strike against them while at Chelsea, the Egyptian has six goals against Arsenal and he can add to that this weekend.

Arsenal players celebrate

Granit Xhaka to be booked

Arteta is set to start this clash with some steel in the middle of the park, with Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka likely to hold everything together as they try and hold off Liverpool’s relentless attack. We expect the central midfield duo to be busy, which in Xhaka’s case suggests the referee will be busy.

Xhaka made the most fouls of any Arsenal player last season. Meanwhile, the Swiss midfielder was also booked 10 times in 30 league matches last season, again more than any other Arsenal player.

We’re backing another yellow card for him here, as Xhaka has been booked in two of their last three meetings with Liverpool. That rounds off our 25/1 #OddsOnThat prediction.