The most highly anticipated game in the English Premier League this weekend is also the first. The Arsenal Gunners have their fans feeling confident for the first time in ages. The club’s deadline deals have restored faith in the team, and they are back to playing the same flowing, creative football they did during their heyday.
Tottenham Hotspur are currently two points behind third-place Liverpool and are looking to make a move to ensure a spot in the Champions League next season. The race for those four spots is sure to be intense and every game counts. However, unlike Arsenal, Tottenham might be looking ahead a bit towards its next match. On Tuesday night, they will take on Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Wembley Stadium at 7:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, February 10, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on CNBC.
EPL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arsenal +243
Tottenham Hotspur +100
Draw +273
Over/Under 3, 3.5
Odds Analysis
It makes sense to see Tottenham at even odds at home. The Spurs have lost just once at home all year long, while the Gunners have really struggled away from Emirates. Arsenal is 3-4-6 in 13 road games on the year with a goal differential of -6. They have lacked the same scoring touch they have at home and that has doomed them.
Key Injuries
Arsenal got some great news late Wednesday as it seems that Petr Cech, Nacho Monreal, and Danny Welbeck will all be available for Saturday’s clash against Tottenham. Cech was considered very doubtful just a couple days ago, after being knocked out of the game against Everton with an injury to his calf. It was expected that David Ospina would be making his first Premier League start since April 2017.
Monreal was expected to go after suffering from flu-like symptoms in the game against Everton, but Welbeck was considered doubtful to return at the start of the week too. He has been out for almost a month because of a hip injury. His return would be another big boost.
As for Tottenham, this team is relatively healthy coming into this clash with no injuries listed to potential starters.
Recent Form
Tottenham has not lost in any of its past 11 matches, which is impressive considering the quality of their competition. In the past couple weeks, they bested Manchester United 2-0 at home and scored a point on the road against Liverpool as well. They will be looking to flip the script on Arsenal after the Gunners beat them 2-0 earlier in the season.
Arsenal have not fared as well, suffering some stunning defeats. The Gunners lost to Bournemouth and Swansea in their last two road games, and this club knows it must perform better.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
This is a great spot to back Arsenal. The Gunners have not played well on the road, but they look to be in their best form all season. Moving on from Alexis Sanchez was necessary and getting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the deadline has renewed optimism in this team.
Although it was just one game, Arsenal’s clinical dismantling of Everton showed what this team is capable of. Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are great distributors and Mkhitaryan’s prior relationship with Aubameyang at Dortmund will ease the transition for the youngster.
Arsenal’s goal scoring woes on the road will come to an end here. Look for the Gunners to net one in the first half against Tottenham and both sides to find the net in the second half in an intense finish. At the end of the day, Arsenal will get the full three points and put themselves in contention for a top four finish.
English Premier League Odds: Arsenal 2, Tottenham Hotspur 1
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