SlipsTips takes a look at the Bet Builder market ahead of Brentford's encounter with Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Brentford vs Arsenal (Saturday, 17:30)
Arenal will be presented with the opportunity to move up the Premier League table when they head across the capital to take on Brentford on Saturday evening.
Mikel Areteta’s third-placed side are level on points with Liverpool and just one point behind Man City, but something will have to give when the top-two lock horns on Saturday lunchtime.
As for Brentford, their three-game winning run came grinding to a halt when going down 3-0 at Anfield against Liverpool before the international break.
The bookies odds suggest the Bees will suffer the same fate here, however I’m going to put together a player-based selection via PaddyPower’s Bet Builder.
The combination of Kristoffer Ajer to commit a foul and Gabriel Martinelli to be fouled will bring about a even-money (1/1) play that holds plenty of appeal.
Ajer’s versatility tends to see him deployed on either the right side of Brentford’s central defence or in the right full-back role, and either way he should be in for a tricky evening when Arsenal come to town.
The 6ft 5in defender is averaging 1.5 tackles per 90 minutes in the top-flight this term, with his foul per-game tally coming in at 1.1
What’s more, the big Norwegian received his third yellow card of the Premier League season at Anfield a fortnight ago and he has since had his name taken for Norway against Scotland last Sunday,
I’ll therefore back the Brentford utility man to commit at least one foul during this capital clash, and team news permitting, I’ll also go with Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli to be on the receiving end of at least one foul.
While the Brazilian winger is drawing an average of 0.8 fouls per game from opposing outfits in the Premier League this season, his pace and movement is almost certain to cause Brentford issues.
It’s also worth pointing out that Martinelli has been fouled at least once in four of his last five top-flight appearances for Arsenal, and I fancy that tend to continue in what should be a keenly-contested London derby.
Given that there is strong possibility that the two aforementioned players could be direct opponents on Saturday, there is plenty of scope that both legs of this even-money (PaddyPower) Bet Builder land during the same incident in West London.
Recommended Bet
- Kristoffer Ajer To Commit 1 Or More Fouls
- Gabriel Martinelli To Be Fouled 1 Or More Times
- Bet Builder – 1/1 (PaddyPower)