Premier League betting – Everton vs Arsenal

Everton vs Arsenal betting preview

Everton: League Position: 12th, League Form: WDWDD

An Everton side unbeaten in seven welcome another of the big sides to Goodison Park this weekend. It can’t go much worse than last season, as Arsenal won 6-1 on the opening day. Classic slow starters Everton have began to find their feet again, and may find their finishing touch returns now Saha is fit and Jermaine Beckford has finally got his first Premier League goal.

Fellaini is suspended after a reckless sending off midweek, but Everton are still likely to field a five-man midfield against the Gunners. Cahill and Arteta will carry the attacking threat from the middle, with both capable of goals.

The choice of striker is an intriguing one for Moyes. Saha has a touch more class than the other forwards in the squad, but he lacks fitness, whereas Beckford is unlikely to be trusted in such a big game. Yakubu has the strength to bother Arsenal’s still suspect back line and can finish with class still.

Arsenal: League Position: 3rd, League Form: WWWLW

Goals in the first and last minutes against Wolves won them the game Wednesday, yet a 2-0 scoreline doesn’t tell the story of the game accurately. Arsenal faced long spells of pressure and were saved by their ‘keeper and the frame of their goal. Having lost to Newcastle three days before, Arsenal are a team to be got at right now.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Arsenal without signs of weakness, and they are capable of turning on quality that no team in the Premiership can match. They also have a striker settled in the league, with Chamakh’s two goals on Wednesday taken with ease. Even more important in those goals were the understanding with ringmaster Fabregas, which can only improve further over time.

With Chelsea grinding out results and five points clear of the Gunners, Wenger’s side cannot afford to drop more points this early in the season. If they play five across midfield and match Everton’s approach they may struggle for muscle, but can more than make up for that by passing the opposition into submission.

Match Prediction: Arsenal Win at best odds 2.3 with Victor Chandler.

Arsenal are far more easily written off than title rivals Chelsea or Manchester United, but definitely have as much class. And if any team is going to overwhelm a team set up to be hard to break down it’s Arsenal. Everton’s fans will want them to have a go, and Arsenal can definitely pick them apart.

Only two of Everton’s 12 games has produced more than 2 goals this season, but they’ve shown defensive frailties against Blackpool and Bolton in the past two games, and whilst Arsenal are most capable of scoring plenty, they are also suspect at the back. Both teams will fancy scoring a couple of goals if they can get on top, and Everton’s best chance may be attacking Johan Djourou, who definitely does not look like a top four defender.

This could be one of those games bogged down in midfield, and as such Arsenal’s captain fantastic may make all the difference. Although still impressive this season, he’s yet to explode into a game like Fabregas of last year. Having stayed with Arsenal for this season at least, he more than anyone will be chasing silverware for the club.

A tough game decided by an extra bit of quality? Step up Cesc Fabregas.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 goals – 2.03 Bet 365
First Goalscorer: Cesc Fabregas – 10.00 Ladbrokes
Correct Score: 2-1 Arsenal – 9.5 Sky Bet

Match Odds:-

Everton – 3.4 Bet 365, Bet Fred,
Draw – 3.4 Stan James,
Arsenal – 2.3 Victor Chandler, William Hill

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