Arsenal vs Como Prediction: Betting Tips & Odds

Arsenal welcome Como to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday morning New Zealand time, with Cesc Fabregas returning to north London as an opposing manager for the first time.

Fabregas spent eight years at Arsenal as a player, and now he’s bringing a Como side that finished fourth in Serie A and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history. Arsenal, meanwhile, are defending Premier League champions.

In this Arsenal vs Como preview, I look at where both clubs are at with the season approaching fast. I’ve got an over 2.5 goals angle worth considering if you’re after football betting tips for this one.

Arsenal

Arsenal’s pre-season has been a mixed bag. 

A 4-1 win at Girona on August 1 was comfortable, but a 3-1 defeat to Real Betis in Dublin four days later was poor. Saturday’s 2-3 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Emirates Cup continued the trend - Samuele Inacio and Konstantinos Karetsas scored twice before half time and Arsenal spent the second half chasing.

I wouldn’t read too much into the results, though. 

Most of Arsenal’s World Cup contingent only returned to training on August 10, and several are nursing injuries. Saliba is out long-term with a back problem from France’s campaign. Rice and Saka both played through issues at the tournament and it’s unclear how much involvement they’ll get before the opener against Coventry on August 21.

New signing Bruno Guimaraes was presented to fans before the Dortmund game but didn’t feature. Viktor Gyokeres led the line and had a penalty converted, though he also rattled the crossbar with a good chance. I’d expect a stronger lineup for this one with more returning players available.

Team News: Saliba is out long-term. Timber is a doubt with a groin injury. Rice and Saka are back in training but may be managed carefully. Guimaraes could be involved for the first time.

Predicted Lineup: Raya; White, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Merino; Eze, Odegaard, Nwaneri; Gyokeres.

Como

Como’s story over the past two years is one of the best in European football. 

Promoted from Serie B in 2024, 10th in their first Serie A season, then fourth last year with Champions League qualification. Douvikas scored 17 goals across all competitions and Paz was named Serie A’s best midfielder. Under Fabregas, they’ve become one of the most watchable sides in Italy.

Their pre-season has been low-key so far. A 2-2 draw with Paris FC at home on July 24 was followed by a 3-2 win at Famalicao a week later. They’ve got the Champions League group stage to prepare for alongside Serie A and the Coppa Italia - a schedule they’ve never faced before.

I’m curious to see how Morata fits alongside Douvikas. Morata joined from AC Milan via Galatasaray in 2025 and has now signed permanently. He’s 33, but his movement and experience in European competition could be a factor when the Champions League group stage starts.

Team News: Paz represented Argentina at the World Cup and featured in the final on July 19, so he is unlikely to be involved given mandatory post-tournament rest. Morata was left out of Spain’s World Cup squad and has had a full pre-season.

Predicted Lineup: Butez; Posch, Goldaniga, Kempf, Valle; Perrone, Caqueret, Baturina; Rodriguez, Douvikas, Da Cunha.

• Arsenal have scored at least twice in three of their four pre-season matches.
• Como won three of their last four Serie A fixtures to clinch fourth spot.
• Over 2.5 goals has occurred in all four of Arsenal’s pre-season games.
• Arsenal have conceded in three consecutive friendlies.
• Fabregas spent eight years at Arsenal between 2003 and 2011.

I’m tipping Arsenal, though I don’t think this will be a shutout. 

Arteta will want a response after two consecutive pre-season defeats, and the returning World Cup players will be keen to get minutes. I can see Arsenal controlling possession and creating chances through Odegaard and Gyokeres.

Como won’t come here to defend, though. That’s not how Fabregas sets his teams up, and Douvikas will fancy himself against a centre-back pairing still finding its rhythm without Saliba. I’m going 3-1 Arsenal.

If you’re browsing NZ betting sites for pre-season angles, this is one of the more interesting fixtures of the week.

Over 2.5 Goals @ $1.75

Arsenal have scored 10 across four friendlies, including four at Girona and two against Dortmund in a game they lost. Their defence without Saliba has been leaking, too. Three conceded to Betis, three more to Dortmund.

Como aren’t in this fixture to defend. Fabregas wants his side to play through midfield with Caqueret and Perrone, and Douvikas will get opportunities on the counter. Over 2.5 goals has come in during every Arsenal pre-season outing so far.

At $1.75, I think that’s a fair price for a game where both teams will prioritise attack over caution. Worth a look if you’re checking the betting promotions across the main NZ sportsbooks.