Arsenal will look to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday as they welcome inconsistent Brighton to the Emirates.
Arsenal climbed back above Manchester City to the top of the Premier League table last Saturday evening, as they ground out a 0-1 victory away at Everton, on an evening in which I landed a 5/6 winner.
That result ended the Gunners’ three-match winless run away from home in the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta’s men have remained consistent at home all season, winning seven of their eight encounters at the Emirates (W7-D1-L0), only dropping points in a 1-1 draw with title-rivals Manchester City.
Brighton’s winless run was extended to four matches last time out, as they played out a goalless draw at home to newly-promoted Sunderland, leaving them in ninth position, five points outside the Champions League positions.
Whilst Fabian Hurzeler’s men have lost just once at home this season, they have lost four times on their travels (W2-D2-L4), with the latest of which being a 2-0 defeat at Anfield against reigning champions Liverpool.
How the bookies view it: Gunners favourites
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal have been installed as short-priced favourites to claim all three points on Saturday, with bet365 pricing a home success at just 2/5.
The Seagulls are 7/1 underdogs with bet365 to claim a surprise victory, whilst the draw is 4/1.
Head to head: Five unbeaten for Arsenal
The Gunners are unbeaten in each of their previous five meetings with Brighton (W3-D2-L0), winning 2-0 in the EFL Cup at the end of October.
Players to watch: Trossard to find the target again?
Arsenal have been boosted by the return of Leandro Trossard following a recent injury which saw him miss three matches.
The Belgian international has scored four goals and provided two assists across his previous eight Premier League appearances, and I like the 5/6 on offer at bet365 for the ex-Brighton attacker to Score or Assist against his former club.
Predicted line-ups:
Mikel Arteta will be without defenders Gabriel, Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera, as well as Kai Havertz, due to injury.
Brighton will be missing Adam Webster, Solly March and Stefanos Tzimas due to injury, whilst Carlos Baleba is on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Rice, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres
Brighton & Hove Albion: Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper, Ayari, Gomez, Minteh, Gruda, Kadioglu, Rutter
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to, Arsenal have been formidable at home this season, only dropping points in a 1-1 draw against title-rivals Manchester City, hence why they are just 2/5 to win.
10 of Arsenal’s 12 Premier League victories this campaign have featured fewer than five goals, and a repeat pays an appealing 8/11 at bet365.
Think you’ve found odds that look too good to be true? Explore our Value Betting guide and learn when a price is genuinely favourable.
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