Arsenal will look to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table as they face a tricky trip to Merseyside to take on Everton on Saturday night.
Arsenal looked as if they were going to drop points in the Premier League for the fourth time across their last six matches, as they conceded a 90th-minute equaliser at home to rock-bottom Wolves.
However, the Gunners managed to grab a winner four minutes later, preserving their two-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, as well as landing a 10/11 for me.
Whilst that dramatic late victory continued their strong home form, Mikel Arteta will be wary of his side's struggles on the road in recent weeks, having dropped points in each of their previous three away trips (W0-D1-L2).
Everton’s Stamford Bridge hoodoo continued last weekend, as they were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea despite a fairly decent performance.
Prior to that loss, the Toffees were in good form, winning four of their past five Premier League encounters (W4-D0-L1), and they head into this clash ninth in the table, just two points behind fifth-placed Crystal Palace.
How the bookies view it: Gunners favourites
Despite failing to win in each of their previous three away matches in the Premier League, Arsenal travel to Merseyside as favourites, with bet365 pricing an away success at 8/13.
Bet365 have Everton as 9/2 underdogs to claim all three points, whilst the draw is 3/1.
Head to head: Away-day woes at Merseyside for Arsenal
Arsenal head into this clash unbeaten in each of their last six meetings with Everton (W4-D2-L0), but drew both Premier League clashes last season.
What’s more, the Gunners tend to struggle when away to Everton – albeit at Goodison Park – as they have won just once in their previous seven away matches with the Toffees.
Players to watch: Saka to strike again?
Bukaya Saka has been in decent form for Arsenal in recent weeks, setting up goals against Bayern Munich and Chelsea, as well as scoring the clincher against Brentford at the beginning of the month.
Arsenal’s opener against Wolves last week also came from a Saka corner, and the 10/11 on offer for the England international to Score or Assist on Merseyside on Saturday night appeals.
Predicted line-ups:
Everton will be without the injured Seamus Coleman, Jarrad Branthwaite and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, as well as AFCON-bound Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, whilst Jack Grealish is a doubt.
Mikel Arteta will be without defenders Gabriel, Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera, as well as Kai Havertz, due to injury, but Ricardo Calafiori returns from suspension.
Everton: Pickford, O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Garner, Iroegbunam, Dibling, Alcaraz, Grealish, Barry
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Odegaard, Rice, Trossard, Saka, Gyokeres
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to, Arsenal have dropped points in each of their previous three road trips in the Premier League, but I’m expecting them to return to winning ways against an Everton side missing several key players.
The Gunners are a general 8/13 to Win, but throwing in Under 4.5 Goals boosts the price to a more appealing 5/6 at Coral/Ladbrokes.
This would be a winning selection in 9/11 (82%) of Arsenal’s Premier League victories this season, whilst the same has also paid out in five of Everton’s six defeats.
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