SlipsTips shares a selection ahead of West Ham’s clash with Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
West Ham vs Arsenal (Sunday, 16:30)
A London derby that could have significant consequences in both the Premier League title race and the relegation battle takes place on Sunday afternoon as West Ham host Arsenal.
The Hammers are now heavy odds-on favourites to tumble into the second tier following last week’s 3-0 loss to Brentford, combined with Tottenham’s subsequent victory away at Aston Villa.
As for Arsenal, they are firmly back in the box seat to land a first Premier League title since 2004 after Manchester City dropped points away at Everton on Monday night.
Given the two sides find themselves at opposite ends of the table, it’s no surprise to see Arsenal priced up as firm favourites at the London Stadium on Sunday.
However, I’m going to turn my attention to a player-based selection that I think offers value at the odds on offer.
Declan Rice is as big as 5/6 with bet365 to commit at least one foul on Sunday afternoon, and that looks too big to ignore.
Rice has quietly become a regular on the referee’s radar this season, committing an avenge of 0.81 fouls per 90 in the Premier League.
However, a closer look shows the all-action Arsenal midfielder has committed exactly two fouls in four of his last five Premier League outings, including each of the last three.
Further encouragement for siding with this selection comes from the fact Rice has been penalised in three of his last four Champions League appearances, including both legs of Arsenal’s semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid.
Now set to come up against his former club West Ham in what is a must-win game for Arsenal, Rice looks well placed to overstep the mark at least once.
Typically deployed on the right-hand side of Arsenal’s midfield three, Rice is likely to find himself operating in similar areas of the pitch to both Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville.
The aforementioned West Ham duo rank among the most fouled players for the Hammers in the Premier League this season, which only adds to the appeal of backing Rice to commit at least one foul on his return to the London Stadium on Sunday.
Recommended Bet
- Declan Rice to Commit 1+ Foul – 5/6 (bet365)
Grant Heaney, aka SlipsTips, is a Freelance Football and Darts Writer with over six years experience. Grant has written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. He is a Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. You can find all of his tips on X @SlipsTips
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