Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
It has been a bad few days for Arsenal after consecutive 3-0 losses to Manchester City, but they will be looking to bounce back away at Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday.
Brighton
Although Brighton boss Chris Hughton will be the first to admit that his side still aren’t quite out the woods, the Premier League debutants are now unbeaten in their last six matches and are the bottom half of the tables in form team. While the Seagulls may only sit four points above the drop zone, Hughton’s side currently sit in 12th position and a victory on Sunday afternoon could see them jump as high as ninth. With their confidence at a season-high, Brighton have now won their last three consecutive matches at home and striker Glenn Murray has epitomised their recent form in front of goal. Along with scoring a brace in Brighton’s 4-1 home win against Swansea last weekend, the 34-year-old now has five in his last five and 11 for the season so far.
Team News
Brighton have no new injury concerns and could name the same team that defeated Swansea last weekend.
Jurgen Locadia scored on his Premier League debut in that match but is likely to remain on the bench.
Arsenal
For Arsene Wenger, his position at Arsenal has begun to grow more and more untenable by the day. After being heavily criticised for their performance in the EFL Cup final last Sunday, Arsenal were unable to make amends at they once again slumped to a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to the runaway Premier League leaders. With their problems epitomized by an embarrassing 2-1 home defeat to Östersunds FK in the Europa League, the Gunners have now lost four out of their last five matches in all competitions. With their confidence at an all-time low, the North London club remain 10 points adrift of the Top Four and their chance of securing Champions League football are all but gone for another season.
Team News
Jack Wilshere is a doubt for Arsenal after missing Thursday’s defeat by Manchester City with an ankle injury.
Nacho Monreal and Alexandre Lacazette are out as manager Arsene Wenger considers changes ahead of the Europa League trip to AC Milan.
Key Factors to Consider
- Brighton striker Glenn Murray has 11 Premier League goals already this season, including five in his last five.
- The Seagulls have now not lost any of their last six in all competitions.
- Brighton have won just two of their 16 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions (D2, L12).
- Arsenal have gone 10 matches without a clean sheet, their longest run in the Premier League for 16 years.
- The Gunners could equal their Premier League club record of four straight away defeats.
Conclusion
With Arsene Wenger’s side enduring their largest crisis in recent memory, the inform Brighton will look to add more misery on the Gunners French boss. With Arsenal now managing to go 10 games without registering a single clean sheet, the Seagulls look set to continue the trend, Brighton have now found the back of the net in each of their last six matches, scoring seven in their last two. As for Arsenal, while they have only scored once in their last three attempts, the Gunners did create a handful of chances against Manchester City on Thursday and will need to test a Brighton defence that have failed to keep a Premier League clean sheet in 2018.
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