Prediction: Arsenal vs Leicester

Verdict: Arsenal to score in both halves

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Two sides who are already battling it out at opposite ends of the Premier League table, Arsenal will welcome Leicester to north London on Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal

Starting with the hosts, while Arsenal might have suffered real heartbreak at the Etihad last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a pulsating 2-2 stalemate against Manchester City, Mikel Arteta’s men should take plenty of positives away from a gritty performance away from north London. Marking their return from September’s international break with a 1-0 victory away at arch-rivals Tottenham, the Gunners are desperate to get their hands on a first Premier League crown since 2004. Although Arsenal might have opened their Champions League adventure last week with a downbeat 0-0 stalemate away at Italian outfit Atalanta, Saturday’s hosts will certainly be smelling the chance to lay down a real statement of intent here. Despite being forced to settle for a single point in three of their previous four appearances across all competitions, Arteta’s title contenders are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender this weekend.

Team News

Suffering a sprained ankle while away with Norway over September’s international break, Arsenal have already confirmed that influential skipper Martin Odegaard will not feature on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance since completing a summer move from Real Sociedad, Mikel Merino remains on the sidelines.

Now finding the net in back-to-back Premier League appearances, Gabriel will once again partner William Saliba at the heart of Arteta’s defence. Completing what was a sensational Deadline Day from Arsenal, Raheem Sterling will be hoping to make a first Premier League start here.

Leicester

As for the visitors, although Leicester might have snatched a dramatic late 1-1 stalemate at home against Everton last weekend, the Foxes will rightfully feel that they missed out on a golden opportunity. While Steve Cooper’s men might have stormed their way to an immediate Premier League return for this season, Saturday’s guests are seen as a standout relegation contender and they should be bracing themselves for a monumental challenge here. Heading into September’s international break with a 2-1 loss at home against Aston Villa, the former Nottingham Forest boss has seen his squad fail to win any of their first five Premier League appearances. More than aware that they face a monumental challenge when they travel to the capital this weekend, Leicester should be concerned by a nightmare record against the defending champions. In fact, Cooper’s side have lost all of their previous five showdowns by an aggregate score of 12-3.

Team News

Handed a full rest away at Walsall earlier in the week, attacking talisman Jamie Vardy will make a full return in north London. However, all still dealing with respective injury issues, Leicester will once again be without the trio of Jakub Stolarczyk, Nathaniel Opoku and former RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka remain on he sidelines.

Despite being Leicester’s EFL Cup hero away at Walsall in midweek, Danny Ward will be replaced between the sticks by Mads Hermansen. Now finding the net in three of his previous four appearances on either side of September’s international break, Stephy Mavididi in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Arsenal and Leicester last met back in February 2023, the Gunners collected a 1-0 victory at the King Power Stadium.
• In fact, Arsenal have won all of their previous five showdowns against Saturday’s guests by an aggregate score of 12-3.
• Leicester have failed to collect a single victory from any of their first five Premier League appearances.
• Including that thrilling 2-2 stalemate away at Manchester City last weekend, the Gunners have played out a draw in three of their previous four matchups across all competitions.
• However, Arsenal have suffered just a single Premier League defeat at the Emirates throughout this calendar year.

Conclusion

Despite suffering that public heartbreak away at the Etihad last weekend, Arsenal will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. Yet to suffer a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign, the Gunners will also be excited by a dominant record against Saturday’s guests. Including a 1-0 win when they last met Leicester back in February 2023, they have won all of their previous five meetings by an aggregate score of 12-3.

Verdict: Arsenal to score in both halves

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Luckster