Kick-off: 1500, 11/02/2023
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Brentford have already won at Manchester City this season and are now looking to do the same at their title rivals Arsenal on Saturday.
The Gunners’ hopes of ending their title drought were boosted when the Bees beat City just before the World Cup break but that was one of just two away wins for Thomas Frank’s men this season.
With home advantage, the leaders should be too strong and a home win with over 2.5 goals at 98/100 is our opening Arsenal vs Brentford prediction.
Arsenal Odds
Arsenal head into this London derby looking to bounce back from a league defeat for only the second time this season.
Mikel Arteta’s men arguably had to visit Everton at the worst possible time as the struggling Toffees, with Sean Dyche, enjoyed a new manager bounce and triumphed 1-0 thanks to a James Tarkowski goal.
When they lost at Manchester United in September – their only other reverse in the league this season – Arsenal were the better team but were undone on the break.
This time the result was perhaps fairer as their midfield trio of Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard struggled to make an impact.
Arsenal will be keen to get back on track quickly and their confidence should be helped by the fact they were comfortable 3-0 winners in the reverse fixture in September.
On that occasion, they were 2-0 up inside half an hour thanks to goals from William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus before Fabio Vieira added a third early in the second half.
Arsenal have scored the most goals in the first 30 minutes this season while only Bournemouth have conceded more away goals in that time than Brentford.
Looking at the Arsenal vs Brentford odds, that leads us to back the Gunners to be leading after 30 minutes at 7/5.
Last Arsenal line-up: Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko, Partey, Odegaard, Xhaka, Saka, Martinelli, Nketiah.
Midfielder Jorginho is in contention to make his full Arsenal debut while fellow January signing Jakub Kiwior is yet to make his bow.
Forward Gabriel Jesus is back in training but will not be in the squad, neither will midfielder Mohamed Elneny who could be out for the season following knee surgery.
Brentford Odds
Brentford have kept three successive clean sheets and head to the Emirates Stadium on a nine-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Last weekend they cruised to a 3-0 victory at home to Southampton which gave us three winning predictions in our match preview including two at 4/1!
Victory moved Brentford up to seventh and their fans are dreaming of the possibility of European football.
“I am a dreamer, but I’m so conscious about this relentless league,” said Frank. “Three injuries to three players and you are talking different scenarios.
“We will use the confidence and belief, but still be humble. We need to work hard to stay in the position we’re in.
“The first half was maybe the most complete performance this season. In the second half at 2-0 the other team always come out and have a go, but I can’t remember a big chance they had.
“Every player out there is in a fantastic place.”
We just fear their defence may struggle to cope with the pressure that Arsenal will apply this weekend given the Bees conceded five goals at Newcastle, four at Aston Villa and three at Fulham.
Arsenal have already enjoyed 3-1 wins at home to London rivals Tottenham and West Ham this season and a repeat of that scoreline at 10/1 completes our Arsenal vs Brentford betting tips.
Last Brentford line-up: Raya, Hickey, Henry, Pinnock, Mee, Norgaard, Jensen, Dasilva, Wissa, Toney, Mbeumo.
Brentford midfielder Shandon Baptiste is available again after recovering from a groin problem, but goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha has picked up an ankle injury. Defender Pontus Jansson and midfielder Frank Onyeka (both hamstring) are closing in on a return.
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