Arsenal welcome Brighton to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday as both sides bid to maintain their 100% starts to the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The Gunners are yet to concede a goal after picking up 2-0 wins over Wolves and Aston Villa, while Brighton go into this match on the back of a dramatic 2-1 triumph against Manchester United last Saturday.
Of course, Arsenal will be favourites for victory on home soil but in the Premier League, an upset can never be ruled out. Although, Brighton will hope to not pick up any key injuries when they host Crawley Town in the EFL Cup later this evening.
Read on for NetBet’s full match preview and this weekend, sports betting fans can once again take part in our Correct Score Predictor and be in with a chance of winning up to £5,000.
Arsenal vs Brighton
Saturday, August 31, 12.30pm
Emirates Stadium, London, England
Live on TNT Sports
Arsenal vs Brighton Preview
To say this match is an intriguing prospect is something of an understatement and it is the perfect way to start Premier League Matchday 3.
Arsenal claimed a domestic double over Brighton last term but now face a new challenge with 31-year-old manager Fabian Hurzeler now in the Seagulls’ dugout.
He has impressed in his short career in English football, maintaining a positive and high-energy playing style which should provide a stern examination of the hosts’ title credentials.
Arsenal have not been at their fluent best thus far but have looked defensively strong – and that will need to continue against Brighton’s array of exciting forwards.
Kaoru Mitoma, Joao Pedro, Yankuba Minteh and Danny Welbeck represents an exciting four-man front line, with the likes of Simon Adingra to come off the bench.
And Brighton’s strength in depth is now something to behold following the signings of Georginio Rutter and Matt O’Riley over the summer months.
So if Arsenal’s defence or midfield have an off day, the Seagulls possess the players to inflict serious damage.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side are a formidable outfit these days, with Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard enjoying strong starts to the season. The North Londoners have also won nine of their last 10 matches at the Emirates.
But a potentially key factor for this game is who the Arsenal boss deploys on the left ahead of Jurrien Timber, who impressed against Villa. Will Arteta stick with the out-of-sorts Gabriel Martinelli, or give a deserved start to Leandro Trossard against his former club?
In 2024, Martinelli has scored only four goals, while Trossard has bagged 12. Backing the latter could be key to achieving the fast start that the Gunners always crave on home soil.
If this match finishes without a goal scored, we will be very, very surprised! And who knows, we may even get a glimpse of Arsenal’s newest signing Mikel Merino…
Arsenal vs Brighton Odds
*Odds are subject to change
Hosts Arsenal are big favourites to claim victory here at 1.33, while in-form Brighton are priced at 7.90.
Saka is the current frontrunner to open the scoring at the Emirates on Saturday at 5.50, ahead of Havertz (6.00) and Gunners skipper Odegaard (6.50).
Arsenal vs Brighton Betting Tips
Arsenal to win both halves @ 2.80
Brighton are unlikely to sit back – even from the get-go – and that should afford Arsenal more space in the final third. As such, we can see the Gunners’ collection of top-quality attackers enjoying themselves at the Emirates and winning both halves of football.
Kai Havertz to score anytime @ 2.60
Arsenal striker Havertz has enjoyed playing at the Emirates this year and scored the first in the 2-0 win over Wolves on the opening weekend. We fancy him to perform more home heroics on Saturday.
Arsenal Team News
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Odegaard, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Trossard
Injuries: Tierney, Tomiyasu
Doubts: Jesus
Brighton Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Steele, Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Milner, Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma, Welbeck
Injuries: March
Doubts: Ferguson, Estupinan, Wieffer, Gruda, Verbruggen
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