Having seen nearly all their room for error evaporate in the Premier League title race, Arsenal hope to put a bit of pressure on the leaders as they visit Brighton on Saturday.
Liverpool haven’t quite run away with the league title yet as there’s still over half the season still to play, but facing a six-point deficit and an extra game played, Arsenal cannot afford any more slips.
The Gunners today face an opponent who has given them fits in recent years as Arsenal have only beaten Brighton in half of their last eight meetings across all competitions.
Brighton today, however, are in the midst of a brutal run of form, failing to win any of their last seven matches in Premier League play which has seen them fall to 10th in the standings.
Brighton vs. Arsenal prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Arsenal (-120 on BetMGM)
- Score prediction: Brighton 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal haven’t exactly made things easy on themselves this season, but the Gunners have found ways to persist, especially of late as Mikel Arteta has steered the side to four straight wins. Even without the game-changing influence of an injured Bukayo Saka, Arsenal have scored 12 goals across their four-match winning streak, indicating they have the depth to overcome such a loss.
Brighton, however, have been unable to put offensive and defensive performances together in the last two months, failing to score against Brentford but coughing up three to Crystal Palace.
| BetMGM(USA) | |
| Brighton win | +340 |
| Draw | +250 |
| Arsenal win | -120 |
| Both teamsto score | Y: -120N: -115 |
| Over / Under2.5 goals | O: -110U: -125 |
| Arsenal-0.5 goals | -110 |
| Brighton+0.5 goals | -135 |
Brighton vs. Arsenal match facts
- Date: Saturday, January 4, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 5:30 p.m. local (12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT)
- Location: Amex Stadium (Brighton, England)
- Referee: Anthony Taylor, VAR: Darren England
- Last meeting: Arsenal 1-1 Brighton (Aug. 31, 2024 | Premier League)
Brighton vs. Arsenal best bet
- Pick: Arsenal to win to nil
- Odds: +195 (BetMGM)
Arsenal have seemingly been punished for every little mistake this season, but the underlying numbers behind their defensive dominance have been eye-popping. While they have not kept a clean sheet on the road since the north London derby back in mid-September, there are plenty of reasons to believe that is a fluky trend that will regress to the mean eventually.
At Brentford last time out, Arsenal conceded early in the game, but overall allowed just five total shots worth 0.32 xG. The story was the same at Fulham in mid-December, where they drew 1-1 despite giving up just two shots worth 0.16 xG.
David Raya has to play better in goal, but if he can pick up his standards, the Gunners should manage to recreate their dominant home victories while playing away from the Emirates Stadium.
Brighton vs. Arsenal prop bet
We were behind Kai Havertz to contribute in the Arsenal attack for their midweek game against Brentford, only for the Germany international to miss out thanks to a virus.
While Gabriel Jesus continued his hot streak by grabbing a goal, the Brazilian is still hard to trust from a long-term standpoint, and even if Havertz continues in his deeper role to give Jesus the keys up front, he will undoubtedly have plenty to say in the attacking possession.
Havertz has scored in each of his last two league games, both of which saw Jesus start at the No. 9 position, and he has fired off 11 shots worth 3.54 xG in his last five, scoring three in the process. Tack on that he has five shot assists across his last four games, picking up an assist against Fulham too, and he’s got significant value up front for an Arsenal side that’s been a little more open the last few weeks.
