Arsenal vs Everton Prediction: Betting Tips & Odds

Arsenal welcome Everton to the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday morning, with kickoff at 3am NZT.

The champions are second, three points adrift of a perfect Manchester City, and they’ve won six of their seven league games without ever looking fluent. Everton come in eighth after Chelsea ended their unbeaten start on 17 October.

In this Arsenal vs Everton preview, my favourite bet is about when the goals arrive, and it’s priced north of $2. If you’re after football betting tips for the weekend, I’ve also got a scoreline pick in my prediction below.

Arsenal

Arsenal have scored eight of their 11 Premier League goals after half-time this season.

That pattern held at the City Ground on 18 October. They didn’t manage a shot on target until the 80th minute, when Noni Madueke drove in a deflected winner off Jair Cunha after coming on at the break.

Eberechi Eze was the man hooked for Madueke that day, and he answered in Munich on 21 October. He came off the bench in the 10th minute and scored about 15 minutes later, volleying first time past Manuel Neuer from Martin Odegaard’s pass.

For me, their defence is a bigger reason to trust them. Arsenal have kept four clean sheets in seven league games, and the only time they’ve conceded more than once was the 3-0 loss at Brighton on 19 September.

My worry is their turnaround. They’ve got three days to recover from a big European night, and their wide options are thinning out at the wrong time.

Team News: Saka is a doubt after limping off in Munich. Saliba (back) and Tzolis (hamstring) are out. Hincapie could return from an ankle problem.

Predicted Lineup: Raya; White, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes; Madueke, Odegaard, Eze; Havertz.

Everton

Thierno Barry should have given Everton the lead against Chelsea.

He had a free header in the first half and put it straight at Emi Martinez. Pedro Neto scored 43 seconds after the restart, and Everton rarely threatened again before his second in the 90th minute.

That defeat ended their unbeaten start, but their away form interests me more. They’ve drawn all three of their away league games so far, including a 0-0 at Tottenham on 12 September.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has created four big chances this season, more than anyone else in their squad. They didn’t create nearly enough against Chelsea either, so if you’re comparing betting promotions for this one, I wouldn’t spend a free bet on them scoring first.

Team News: Everton have no reported absentees. Norgaard is fit again after a groin problem.

Predicted Lineup: Pickford; Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.

• Arsenal are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League meetings with Everton.
• Arsenal have won all three of their home league games this season.
• Everton have kept three clean sheets in seven league games.
• Everton have scored in five of their seven league games.
• Arsenal’s league games are averaging under 2.5 goals this season.

Everton will frustrate Arsenal for long periods in this match.

They defended deep for almost the full 90 minutes at the Emirates in March, and I expect the same plan again. Arsenal had to wait until the 89th minute for Viktor Gyokeres to break them down, and Max Dowman added a second deep in stoppage time.

I’m going Arsenal 2-0. My guess is a breakthrough around the hour, with a second goal once Everton are forced to chase it. Arsenal’s bench is a lot deeper than Everton’s, and I think that counts for plenty in the last 20 minutes.

I’ll admit Arsenal haven’t convinced me for a full 90 minutes in weeks. Jack Grealish’s delivery gives Everton a route to a goal, and if Arsenal look leggy after Munich, a 2-1 wouldn’t surprise me at all.

I’d steer clear of the over. Both league meetings last season stayed under 2.5 goals, and Under 2.5 at $1.85 looks the safer goals play, though it isn’t where my money’s going.

Arsenal to Win the Second Half @ $2.05

I’d rather back Arsenal’s second half than their full 90 minutes at $1.38.

Their substitutes have decided games this season, and Arsenal have found another gear late on more than once. Everton conceded both goals after the break against Chelsea, and both of Arsenal’s goals in the March meeting came after the 88th minute.

Fatigue from Munich could slow their start again, which only helps this angle. This market ignores the first-half score, so a cagey opening 45 minutes costs nothing as long as Arsenal outscore Everton after the break.

I’d want at least $2 for this, so it’s worth shopping around New Zealand betting sites before kickoff.