One of the great traditions of the English Premier League is playing a host of games on Boxing Day throughout the day. Arsenal has had a great history of playing in the tightly packed fixtures around the holidays, and this might not end up being an exception. The Gunners have a game against a suddenly surging West Brom team that is surprisingly sitting in the middle of the table.
At 10 a.m. ET, tune into NBC Sports Live Extra for live television coverage of this English Premier League match on Monday, December 26, 2016, at Emirates Stadium.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arsenal -312
West Brom +725
Draw +450
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
Arsenal has to be a mighty big favorite in this match, knowing that it's playing at home and is playing against a team that has largely been overachieving and is expected to still flirt with relegation this term. The margin of -312 is relatively big, though not so big that it's an absolutely guarantee that the Gunners walk away with all three points.
The total is somewhat high at a flat three goals, though it's hard to blame anyone for betting the over with as well as Arsenal has played offensively this season.
Key Injuries
Arsenal is hoping to get back some key cogs to the lineup on Boxing Day. Aaron Ramsey missed the Everton match last week with a hamstring problem, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was taken off against Manchester City with a muscle problem after just a few minutes on the pitch. It's also entirely possible that Shkodran Mustafi could be back soon, though the greater likelihood is that he's going to return after the new year. Per Mertesacker, Mathieu Debuchy, Santiago Cazorla and Chuba Akpom are all long-term injuries.
WBA is playing without Saido Berahino and Jonny Evans, though Evans could be back in the Starting XI as soon as Boxing Day for the Baggies.
Recent Form
West Brom's form has been all over the place of late, but it's hard to say that any of the results have been unexpected. Tony Pulis' side was beaten at home 2-0 by Manchester United last week and 1-0 at Stamford Bridge by Chelsea, but in the middle was a 3-1 win over Swansea City. The team also took care of Watford 3-1.
Arsenal has suddenly dropped six straight points and is reeling just a bit with the pressure of trying to run down red hot Chelsea. The Gunners were beaten on the road by both Everton and Manchester City, and both losses will be looked upon with great disappointment, especially with the Citizens playing without the suspended Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
A tough one this is. Arsenal has been in terrible form of late, and that has prompted men like Mesut Ozil to come out in the media and essentially state that the team has to be a lot better than it has been in recent weeks if it wants to be serious about the Premier League title in 2016-17. Theoretically, that means winning a match like this one.
We're willing to say that Arsenal is going to win this game, but we're not willing to go so far as to say that it'll win by multiple goals. For as great as this offense is, if it allows one in this match, it'll be really tough against a team that has a great defensive form in the back for "parking the bus" to ultimately put home three. We'll take the goal and a half with the Baggies and hope that they're able to overcome their losses to their best foes of late with at least a good performance at the Emirates.
English Premier League Odds: Arsenal 2, West Brom 1
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