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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Freddie Keighley

Michael Owen's "worry" as he predicts Liverpool vs Leicester and Wolves vs Arsenal

Michael Owen has voiced concerns over Arsenal 's lack of attacking threat as they come up against a resilient Wolves outfit in the Premier League.

Only Manchester City have a better a defensive record than the Molineux club this season and the Gunners have been left depleted up front following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exile and subsequent free transfer to Barcelona.

In contrast, Liverpool strengthened their attack during the January transfer window by signing Luis Diaz from Porto for £50million.

The Colombian winger impressed on his debut against Cardiff last Sunday, setting up Takumi Minamino in the fourth-round FA Cup tie.

Former Anfield talisman Owen expects Diaz to make his Premier League debut against Leicester on Thursday evening and help Jurgen Klopp's side emerge victorious from an entertaining encounter.

Which team will finish in the top four this season? Have your say in the comments!

Luis Diaz impressed on his Liverpool debut against Cardiff (AMA/Getty Images)

"I think the new signing, Luis Diaz, will start here," Owen told BetVictor . "He has the sort of profile Klopp likes from his players and I think he'll slot in perfectly in that left forward position.

"It'll be difficult for him to replace (Sadio) Mane in that position, but he gives them great depth there, which they haven't really had.

"As for Leicester, it's been a difficult season. They would have had top six ambitions so to be mid-table must be frustrating.

"Still, there's time for them to turn this around and I would expect a better second half of the season.

"I think Liverpool will win this though. I can see a few goals at Anfield, 3-1 to Liverpool."

Turning his attention to Thursday's other match, Owen tipped Wolves to edge out top-four rivals Arsenal to a hard-fought victory in the Midlands.

The ex-England international added: "Wolves have gone from strength to strength under Bruno Lage and a win here would really give them some hopes of even sneaking into the top four.

"They are so strong defensively and it means that they are always in with a chance.

The onus is on Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette to step up their goalscoring numbers for Arsenal (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"What a strange couple of weeks at Arsenal. A lot of departures but no incomings. I worry where the goals will come from.

"I know Aubameyang was having a difficult season, but he was still by far their best goal scorer. It's a lot of pressure on the likes of (Alexandre) Lacazette and (Gabriel) Martinelli.

"I fancy Wolves to win here and keep yet another clean sheet. It won't be high scoring, but they'll edge it 1-0."

A Wolves victory would see them leapfrog Arsenal into sixth in the table and hand them the initiative in the race for Champions League qualification as they have games in hand on West Ham and Manchester United.

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