Arsenal tightened their grip on the Premier League title race at the weekend with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, a result that was quickly followed by further encouragement as Manchester City dropped points at home to Chelsea.

The Premier League returns this midweek for Gameweek twenty one, with the table beginning to take shape and pressure building at both ends of the division. The standout fixture arrives on Thursday evening, when Arsenal host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in a contest that could have a major bearing on the title race.

What are the odds on an Arsenal win?

Arsenal are 4/7 to win the game with Bet365.

What are the odds on Liverpool to win?

Liverpool cvan be backed at around 9/2 to beat Arsenal, which looks quite a bit of value, all things considered.

Even with 18 league games still to play, Arsenal’s six point advantage over both Manchester City and Aston Villa already feels significant at the time of writing.

Mikel Arteta’s side have lost just twice in the league all season and continue to show a level of consistency that has often been missing in previous title challenges.

One of those rare defeats came earlier in the campaign at Anfield, where Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool in a match that many felt they deserved to take something from. That result has lingered, and Thursday night now offers an immediate chance for redemption in front of their own supporters.

Arsenal enter the match as clear favourites after navigating a demanding run of fixtures against Aston Villa and Bournemouth.

While their rivals faltered, Arteta’s side continued to collect points, opening up a six point lead at the top at the time of writing and underlining their growing authority.

There is a growing sense that this Arsenal team is ready to end the club’s long wait for a league title, with their last triumph coming back in 2004.

They have lost just one of their last seventeen Premier League games, winning thirteen and drawing three, and have combined defensive solidity with greater composure in decisive moments.

Despite boasting the best defensive record in the division, Arsenal will remain cautious against Liverpool. They have conceded in each of their last 20 league meetings with the Reds, with the last clean sheet in this fixture dating back to a goalless draw in August 2015.

Liverpool arrive in north London on the back of a nine game unbeaten run in all competitions, although recent performances have been less convincing. Draws against Leeds and Fulham have raised questions, particularly after conceding late at Craven Cottage despite taking the lead deep into stoppage time.

Arne Slot’s side sit inside the top four but already trail Aston Villa in third by eight points, a surprising gap for the reigning champions.

Liverpool will be aiming to complete a Premier League double over Arsenal for the eighth time and the first since the 2021 22 season, knowing that history has often favoured them in this fixture.

With Arsenal chasing an eighth successive home league victory and Liverpool looking to reassert themselves in the title conversation, Thursday night promises to tick all the boxes.

A win for the hosts would represent another major step towards a long awaited championship, while defeat could reopen the door for those chasing from behind.

The pressure at Chelsea has reached breaking point following the departure of Enzo Maresca, with bookmakers already installing a clear favourite to become the club’s next permanent head coach.

Maresca left Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day after a damaging run of form that saw Chelsea win just two of their last nine matches in all competitions.

A difficult December ultimately proved decisive, leaving the Blues fifth in the Premier League table and fifteen points adrift of leaders Arsenal, despite more than £250 million being spent on transfers during the summer.

The Italian may feel unfortunate to have lost his job so quickly, particularly after guiding Chelsea to global success in the summer by lifting the FIFA Club World Cup.

Patience from the hierarchy and supporters ran out as performances and results continued to fall short of expectations.

Attention has now turned to potential successors, with Liam Rosenior emerging as the early frontrunner in the betting. Rosenior’s strong work in France with Strasbourg has caught the eye, while his links to BlueCo could make negotiations more straightforward than with external candidates.

Rosenior’s managerial career has followed a steady upward path. He first stepped into management as caretaker at Derby County, before moving on to Hull City, where he oversaw a notable turnaround in fortunes. Despite improving performances and results, his departure after 78 matches was widely viewed as harsh.

Chelsea are expected to attract widespread interest, with several high profile names already prominent in the early markets.

Next permanent Chelsea manager odds

• Liam Rosenior 3/10
• Cesc Fabregas 9/1
• Filipe Luis 10/1
• Francesco Farioli 11/1
• Andoni Iraola 12/1
• Xavi Hernandez 14/1
• Oliver Glasner 14/1

With Chelsea once again searching for stability in the dugout, the coming days are expected to bring further clarity as the club weigh up whether to appoint a familiar face or make another bold move in the managerial market.

The Old Firm derby returns on Saturday lunchtime as Celtic host Rangers at Celtic Park, with pride and momentum firmly on the line in the Scottish Premiership.

This will be the 448th meeting between the Glasgow rivals in major competitions, with both clubs having won 171 matches apiece. With the all time record perfectly balanced, bragging rights are once again up for grabs in one of world football’s most fiercely contested fixtures.

Celtic come into the derby under mounting pressure.

Head coach Wilfried Nancy has endured a difficult start to life in Glasgow, winning just two of his first seven matches in charge and suffering a cup final defeat along the way. Results and performances have failed to win over the support, and another setback on Saturday would only intensify scrutiny on his position.

Midweek damage was done by a 2-0 defeat away to Motherwell, a result that left Celtic three points adrift of league leaders Heart of Midlothian. Confidence appears fragile, although a return to Celtic Park offers some reassurance, with the Hoops having lost just one of their nine league home games so far this season.

Saturday’s clash is the second league meeting between the sides this campaign.

Their August encounter ended in a goalless draw, while Celtic edged past Rangers after extra time in the League Cup semi final despite their rivals being reduced to ten men. The recent trend suggests fine margins, with the last three meetings all ending level and Celtic failing to win any of the last six Old Firm matches inside ninety minutes.

Rangers arrive with renewed belief following an impressive turnaround under Danny Rohl.

When Rohl took charge in October, a title challenge appeared unrealistic, with Rangers trailing Celtic by eight points and Hearts by thirteen at the top of the table.

That outlook has changed dramatically. Rangers have lost just once in eleven league matches under Rohl, winning eight and drawing two, a run that has brought them firmly back into contention.

Victory at Celtic Park would see them draw level with their city rivals and reignite hopes of a sustained push at the summit.

Away from home, Rangers hold the second best record in the division, although draws have been a recurring theme, with four of their nine league trips ending all square.

Celtic Park has also proven a difficult venue in recent seasons, with Rangers winning just one of their last nine league visits.

With both sides carrying pressure and momentum in equal measure, another tight and tense Old Firm contest appears likely. Given recent history, a draw would surprise few in Glasgow on Saturday lunchtime.