Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal, and offers the latest betting tips, odds, and team news.
Mikel Arteta takes his Arsenal squad over to Goodison Park on Saturday evening for a Premier League match against old club Everton.
The Gunners have suffered their worst start to a league season since 1974/75, sitting down in 15th-place after 13 games in the standings. Everton, meanwhile, sit 10 places and nine points above in a solid fifth.
The last time these sides met back in February ended in a 3-2 victory for Arsenal, who made it five wins across their last seven encounters with Everton (D1 L1).
Nearly a year later, however, the tide has changed drastically. The in-form hosts are gunning for a top-four challenge and plan to do their utmost to inflict further misery on the struggling visitors.
Everton Form & Stats
Four defeats in the space of five games between October and November had undone Everton’s brilliant start to the season, having initially collected a whopping 13 points from their opening five fixtures.
Back-to-back wins against Chelsea and Leicester City, however, suggests Carlo Ancelotti’s side are back on track. And with the Toffees coach approaching his one-year anniversary, he’ll be keen to enter it with another victory.
One thing that’s worth noting about Everton recently is their improved defensive form. Despite conceding 18 goals so far, they’ve kept clean sheets against Chelsea and Leicester in their last two outings. This suggests trouble could be on the horizon for Arsenal, who have struggled to score of late.
Key Team Stats
- Won 3 of their last 5 league games (D1 L1).
- Won 3 of their 6 home league games this season (D1 L2).
- Under 2.5 goals in their last 4 league games.
- Won just 1 of their last 5 league games against Arsenal (D1 L3).
- BTTS in 7 of their 13 league games.
- Card (for either side) inside the opening 30 minutes in 8 of their last 10 games against Arsenal.
Arsenal Form & Stats
The pressure is on Arteta, who like Ancelotti will celebrate his one-year anniversary on December 22. A six-match winless run (D2 L4) has seen Arsenal plummet down the league standings and raised doubts over the manager himself.
But while the Gunners board continues to stand by Arteta, it doesn’t change the fact he needs results now.
Hopes of a return to the top-four appear dashed already and, unless Arsenal recoup soon, a Europa League spot for next season may prove hard to achieve. There’s even talk of a possible relegation scrap on their hands.
One key factor behind Arsenal’s woeful form is an inability to score consistently. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the club’s top-scorer of the last two seasons, has scored just three league goals so far. He was, though, on target in last Wednesday’s 1-1 home draw against Southampton to end a five-match goalless run.
That said, the skipper’s goal was Arsenal’s first from open play in 797 minutes and only their 11th of the season. Only the bottom three sides Burnley (6), Sheffield United, and West Brom (10) have scored fewer goals.
Key Team Stats
- Won just 1 of their last 5 away league games (D1 L3).
- Scored just 2 goals in their last 5 away league games.
- Under 2.5 goals in their last 4 away league games.
- More first-half goals in half of their 13 league games this season.
- A red card in 3 of their last 5 league games.
- Hector Bellerin has picked up a club-best of 5 yellow cards in his 12 league appearances.
Team News
Everton: Allan, James Rodriguez, Fabian Delph, Lucas Digne, & Jean-Philippe Gbamin (out).
Arsenal: Granit Xhaka, Gabriel, Thomas Partey, Calum Chambers (out);
Gabriel Martinelli, Reiss Nelson, Sead Kolasinac (doubts).
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Recent Games
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Premier League.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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