The late Sunday game sees in-form Everton travel to the Emirates to face an Arsenal side that continue to struggle for any sort of positive consistency in the league. This will be a very interesting affair, and a particularly noteworthy one for Mikel Arteta as a former playing employee of both clubs.
While both sides are on decent unbeaten runs on paper (Everton unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 and Arsenal unbeaten in their last six), Arsenal’s is certainly that bit more flattering, with a number of draws thrown in there. Drawing games has undoubtedly been the thorn in their lofty ambitions this season. So you’ll never guess where I’m going to kick off the tipping here.
Arsenal have drawn a (relatively speaking) staggering 13 of their 26 Premier League games this season. They’ve also only beaten one team ahead of them in the league this season at home, that being their victory over United on New Year’s Day. I’ve thought so many times this season that Arsenal have looked overpriced in games, and that something finally had to give, but it simply hasn’t been the case and despite all the positive vibes coming from the players in the Arsenal camp under Arteta, results still haven’t improved.
That said, the fact they have lost the same amount of games as Leicester and Man City shows they are still pretty tough to beat. As for their opponents, only Man City have beaten Everton (and narrowly at that) in the league since Liverpool beat them at the beginning of December and they’ve had some very impressive results and performances along the way since Ancelotti’s arrival. With all this in mind, the draw greatly appeal, even more so bearing in mind they played out a stalemate in the reverse fixture at Christmas time. Back the Draw at 12/5.
With that stalemate in mind, and given that there have been under 2.5 goals in six of Arsenal’s last nine Premier League games and in half of all Everton’s games this season, under 2.5 goals at Evens appeals and could be added as part of a multiple.
I also like the look of a Red Card in the Match @ 7/2. Two of Arsenal’s last five Premier League games have seen a man sent off, while Everton had a man sent off last time out against Watford. With both sides still harbouring ambitions of a top five finish and eyeing up a spot in Europe next season, I expect this to be a tight and tense affair couple with my expectation of few goals, and there are plenty of hot-tempered lads likely to lose the plot on both sides to give this bet a run.
Combining under 2.5 goals and a red card in the match would work out at just over 9/1. Finally, a repeat of the reverse scoreline also appeals as some value. No goalscorer can be backed at 11/1.
Best Bets Summary
Combining under 2.5 goals and a red card in the match as a double would work out at just over 9/1 on paddypower.com.
Sunday 16:30 – Arsenal EVS, Draw 5/2, Everton 13/5