Arsenal to boost away form with win at Leeds

Leeds and Arsenal experienced starkly contrasting fortunes in the midweek round of Premier League fixtures, with the former suffering a 7-0 loss to Manchester City 24 hours before the Gunners moved into the top four with a 2-0 win over West Ham. 

If the challenge for the home team is bouncing back after equalling a club-record defeat, the visitors must seek to build on back-to-back victories by earning a rare away win.

Arsenal are priced at 1.96 to do just that, while Leeds can be backed at 3.95 to get their first success since beating Crystal Palace on November 30. The draw is on offer at 3.9.

Leeds hoping to avoid three-peat

Leeds have suffered back-to-back Premier League losses for the first time this season, although the two defeats could scarcely have been more different.

Last weekend’s 3-2 reverse at Chelsea came about due to the concession of a late penalty but there were no such fine margins experienced against City on Wednesday. 

It was Leeds’ heaviest defeat as a league club and was also the first time that manager Marcelo Bielsa had conceded seven goals in his long career in the dugout. 

The Elland Road side have not lost three league matches in succession since February, when they suffered four on the bounce, including a 4-2 reverse against the Gunners.

Indeed, Leeds have not beaten Arsenal at home since November 2000, when an Olivier Dacourt strike gave them a 1-0 win. They have since hosted the London side six times, including a 0-0 draw last term.

Arsenal’s travelling troubles

Arsenal’s form over the last seven Premier League matches has followed a simple pattern: win at home, lose away. 

Admittedly, over this period Mikel Arteta’s side have generally faced stern opponents on the road (with the exception of Everton) and far more straightforward ones at the Emirates. Nevertheless, the stark fact remains that the Gunners have lost five of their eight away fixtures with a return of two wins. 

Against an opponent lurking just above the drop zone, the aim is to break this run.

Arsenal have won eight of their last 10 matches with Leeds, including a Carabao Cup fixture 2-0 earlier this season.

They will expect to continue that run against opponents with a raft of injury problems.

Smith-Rowe to continue hot form

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored a hat-trick when Arteta’s men claimed a 4-2 win over Leeds when they last met in the league, is still unavailable due to ongoing disciplinary issues with the club.

Instead, Emile Smith0Rowe is their man in form in front of goal. The young midfielder has scored in five of his last seven Premier League matches, including a brief cameo against the Hammers. At 4.2, he offers good value to score any time, while he is 9.8 to net first.

Recommended Bet:

Arsenal to win @ 1.96