Prediction: Burnley vs Arsenal

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Bet365

Desperate to extend their stay in the top half of the Premier League standings, Arsenal will make the trip to Turf Moor on Sunday afternoon.

Burnley

Starting with the hosts, after missing out on a golden opportunity to book their spot in the fifth round of this year’s FA Cup thanks to a shock 2-1 defeat against rock-bottom Norwich, the Clarets will be glad to make a return to Premier League duties this weekend. Despite many around Turf Moor fearing that their side could have been getting dragged into a relegation scrap when opening the New Year, Sean Dyche’s men are coming off the back of two very eye-catching victories. Along with coming from behind to snatch a 2-1 win off of top-four contenders Leicester a fortnight ago, Burnley also put in a season-best display in their 2-0 victory at Old Trafford. Now with their sights set on finding a route into the top half, there is no doubt that fans around Lancashire will be most impressed by Chris Wood’s on-going purple patch. Finding the net at Old Trafford last weekend, Dyche’s leading man has now found the net in back-to-back Premier League appearances and is the only player at Turf Moor to reach double digits this season.

Team News

Burnley are unlikely to start new midfield signing Josh Brownhill but he is included in their squad.

Ashley Barnes and Johann Berg Gudmundsson remain injured but Phil Bardsley returns after a back problem.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, managing to hold onto their lead at the Vitality and picking up a 2-1 FA Cup victory away at Bournemouth on Monday night, there is no doubt that Arsenal have made a string of improvements since brining in new boss Mikel Arteta. Although the Gunners may have drawn their last three Premier League matches on the bounce, they did come from behind twice to snatch a point at Stamford Bridge last week. Managing to find a route back into the top half and the mood around North London appearing to be on the rise, Pep Guardiola’s former right-hand man has seen his new squad march on an eight-match unbeaten run away from the Emirates. While captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is available following his suspension earlier in the month, Arteta could stick with the red-hot Gabriel Martinelli. Finding the net against Chelsea last week, the Gunners’ latest starlet has found the net in back-to-back Premier League appearances. Picking up a 2-1 win when they welcome Burnley to the Emirates earlier in the season, Arsenal will make the trip to Lancashire with a newfound confidence.

Team News

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Luiz are both available following suspension.

The Gunners are assessing the fitness of Sead Kolasinac, Shkodran Mustafi and Reiss Nelson, as well as new defensive signings Pablo Mari and Cedric.

Key Factors to Consider

• Landing a 2-1 win when the two sides faced off earlier in the season, Arsenal have won each of their last 11 meetings against Burnley.
• Each of the last four meetings between the two sides have seen over 2.5 goals at full-time.
• Burnley striker Chris Wood has found the net in back-to-back Premier League appearances.
• Likewise, Arsenal starlet Gabriel Martinelli has found the net in his last two consecutive top-flight appearances.
• Arsenal have drawn their last four Premier League away matches on the bounce.

Conclusion

On paper, both sides should see Sunday as a golden opportunity to pick up what could be a crucial three points. Despite crashing out of the FA Cup against Norwich last weekend, Burnley will undoubtedly still be boosted by their eye-catching back-to-back victories against Leicester and Manchester United. Along with Arsenal showing some much-needed improvements and battling hard at Stamford Bridge last week, Sunday’s contest should produce chances at both ends. With each of the last three Premier League matches between Arsenal and Burnley seeing both teams find the net by full-time, we’re backing a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Bet365