It’s round three time in the Premier League and this weekend’s action all kicks off with what could be a very juicy Arsenal v Brighton clash at The Emirates.
Out tipster Andrew Cunneen is salivating at the mouth to get stuck in to this top of the table clash and he’s served up a fine fouls Bet Builder to get the ball rolling on Saturday lunch time.
Arsenal v Brighton betting tips
Kai Havertz to commit 2+ fouls
Bukayo Saka to commit 2+ fouls
Gabriel Martinelli to commit 2+ fouls
Declan Rice to commit 2+ fouls
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 13/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Saturday, 31st of August, 12.30pm
WHERE: The Emirates Stadium, London
TV: TNT Sport 1 and TNT Sport Ultimate
TEAM NEWS
ARSENAL LINE-UP 4-3-3: David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber, Martin Ødegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz. SUBS: Tommy Setford, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Riccardo Calafiori, Jorginho, Oulad M’Hand, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri.
BRIGHTON LINE-UP 4-2-3-1: Bart Verbruggen, Joël Veltman, Jan Paul van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Jack Hinshelwood, Carlos Baleba, James Milner, Yankuba Minteh João Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck. SUBS: Jason Steele, Tariq Lamptey, Igor Julio, Adam Webster, Pervis Estupiñán, Yasin Ayari, Julio Enciso, Georginio Rutter, Simon Adingra.
Kai Havertz to commit 2+ fouls
It’s very important to understand how this game is going to go in order for this Bet Builder to make sense. Let me first set the scene by explaining that Brighton do not care if you’re Arsenal – they’re going to try and keep the ball to the best of their ability.
We saw them have two thirds of the possession at Everton and essentially craft an even split against United despite Erik ten Hag’s commitment to revolution. In these sides’ last meeting in April, Brighton had 55% of the ball.
Look at Havertz’s goal that day. Arsenal press and Brighton give the ball away. Same thing for Trossard’s. In this corresponding fixture last year? Brighton had 52% of the ball at the Emirates.
As they pass along a high line to try and play out, Havertz’s press will be central to making them uncomfortable.
Bukayo Saka to commit 2+ fouls
Arsenal picked up just 52 bookings all last year. They’ve already got five through their first two games of the season.
Now, that’s hardly a stable projection, but it’s clear Mikel Arteta was irritated by the soft nature that people associate them with. He’s spoken at length about his love for Saka’s defensive work rate as much as anything else, and Kaoru Mitoma is definitely their outball.
Expect Saka to continue to take one for the team and be pulled for it as he works on actually winning the football.
Gabriel Martinelli to commit 2+ fouls
A similar brief will be given to Martinelli on the far side if he comes off the bench because no player in the Premier League will be fouled more this season than Yankuba Minteh, if he plays his fair share of games. Perhaps the saddest thing of all is that Newcastle can just recall him halfway through the season.
But after spending a few days out with a concussion, Minteh made quite the impression against Man United. He’s got the quickest feet in the league, and you’ll really see the benefit of him away from home, as Brighton will be playing against a higher line than usual when they skip into this pockets of space behind those overly-ambitious midfielders.
Declan Rice to commit 2+ fouls
And speaking an overly-ambitious midfielder. I understand, but more importantly, Declan Rice understands, that he’s now being painted as a player who just passes the ball left and right – but he’s far more than that. He’s also a player who steps up with the ball when he shouldn’t, and gets dispossessed more than any number six has any right to.
This is a game where he’ll be dealing with a unit who are sophisticated with their movement when the win possession, and he’ll know to drag down midfield runners because they’ll have a distinct advantage from set pieces. What’s more – if this bet’s a winner, I’m pretty certain Arsenal will be, too.
Maybe the ‘same old Arsenal’ are invoking the spirit of Vieira. The player. Not the unmitigated failure of a manager.
Arsenal v Brighton betting tips
Kai Havertz to commit 2+ fouls
Bukayo Saka to commit 2+ fouls
Gabriel Martinelli to commit 2+ fouls
Declan Rice to commit 2+ fouls
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 13/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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