Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Simply looking to make up some ground in the Premier League title chase, Arsenal will travel to Brentford on New Year’s Day evening.
Brentford
Starting with the hosts, while Brentford might have once again gained a string of plaudits this season, Thomas Frank’s side are seeking some much-needed stability. Eventually forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Brighton last weekend, the Bees have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Showing some real signs of an issue over the past month, Brentford have also collected just a sole point from their last three Premier League showdowns. Watching their remarkable west London purple patch come to an end on December 21st as they fell to a 2-0 loss at home against Nottingham Forest, Wednesday’s hosts almost find themselves sat in top-flight limbo. Crashing out of the EFL Cup last month following a 3-1 drumming against Newcastle, Frank’s side should have another stern challenge on their hands in midweek.
Brentford Team News
Limping off away at Brighton last weekend after picking up a first-half knock, Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken is not expected to feature on New Year’s Day. Likewise, also still dealing with respective injury issues, the likes of Joshua Dasilva, Rico Henry, Ethan Pinnock and Igor Thiago will not play any part in midweek.
Nothing 10 Premier League strikes so far this season and reportedly attracting plenty of January interest, Bryan Mbeumo will spearhead Brentford’s charge in the final third. Left as an unused substitute at the Amex last week, former Liverpool starlet Fabio Carvalho will be hoping to play some part in west London.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, while Arsenal might face an almighty uphill battle in the race to claim a first Premier League crown since 2004, the Gunners are enjoying a recent flurry. Last seen securing a 1-0 victory against relegation scrappers Ipswich, Mikel Arteta’s men are unbeaten in each of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions. Extending on their EFL Cup adventure last month as they secured a thrilling 3-2 win against Crystal Palace, Arsenal will simply be looking to make up some ground in the title chase. Last seen on their travels collecting a thumping 5-1 romp against Crystal Palace, Wednesday’s guests have collected 10 points from their last four showdowns away from the Emirates across all fronts. Likewise, clinching a 1-0 win when they last travelled to Brentford back in November 2023, the Gunners will be seeking a repeat outcome on New Year’s Day.
Arsenal Team News
Undergoing surgery on what is expected to be a long-term hamstring injury last week, Arsenal will be without attacking talisman Bukayo Saka on Wednesday night. Both still dealing with respective injury issues, the defending duo of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White remain on the sidelines and will not travel to west London.
Enjoying what has been a sensational start to Premier League life since making his full debut last month, 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly will keep his spot at left-back. Bagging the winner agains Ipswich last weekend and now finding the net in three of his previous four appearances across all competitions, Kai Havertz could once again be deployed in a midfield role.
Brentford vs Arsenal Key Factors to Consider
- When Brentford and Arsenal last met back in March, the Gunners collected a 2-1 victory at the Emirates.
- Arsenal also secured a 1-0 win when they last travelled to west London back in November 2023.
- The Gunners have won each of their last three meetings against Brentford by an aggregate score of 4-1.
- The Bees have recorded just a single victory from any of their last six meetings against Premier League opposition.
- Arsenal have collected 10 points from their previous four away fixtures across all competitions.
Conclusion
While Brentford might have gained a reputation for their remarkable success at the Gtech, Wednesday’s hosts are desperately seeking some kind of stability. Suffering a 2-0 loss at the hands of Nottingham Forest in their last showdown in west London, Arsenal should be smelling a real opportunity here. Simply looking to make up some ground in the title chase, Arteta’s camp will be excited by a dominant recent record against their London rivals. Including a 1-0 victory when they last travelled to the Gtech back in November 2023, they have won each of their previous three meetings by an aggregate score of 4-1.
Verdict: Arsenal win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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