Premier League Weekend Tips: Top-four chasers Arsenal to outgun Bees

Gunners too strong for the Bees

Arsenal were stunned by Brentford in the opening match of the Premier League season, setting a difficult tone for the Gunners in August. Since then, though, Mikel Arteta’s team have looked an entirely different force. They have clambered into top-four contention and have been especially good at the Emirates.

Arteta’s side have won seven of their nine matches at home against teams outside the top three in the table, drawing the other two fixtures. Brentford, meanwhile, will struggle to break that run. The Bees ended a six-game losing streak at home against Crystal Palace, but they last took a point away from home in the Premier League against Leeds United on December 5. They have since played four road games, conceding 11 and scoring only one. Arsenal are over their bad January and should win this with some to spare.

Recommended bet: Arsenal @ 1.45

Villa to come good

Aston Villa should record just a second win in eight matches when they face Watford on Saturday. Steven Gerrard’s side have hit a tougher spell of form in recent weeks, but the fixture list has been a tricky one, including two matches against Manchester United, a fixture against Chelsea and a trip to resurgent Newcastle.

Watford, though, should prove easier pickings. Roy Hodgson has failed to change the fortunes of the Hornets in the couple of matches he has overseen, with defeats to West Ham and Brighton. In neither game did the former England boss see his side score. This promises to be another difficult afternoon for those in yellow and black.

Recommended bet: Aston Villa @ 1.63

Villa looking for a second win in eight outings

Brighton and Burnley to bore

Goals will be at a premium when Brighton host Burnley on Saturday. Neither of these teams are renowned for finding the net. Seven of Brighton’s nine Premier League matches since the beginning of December have produced two goals or fewer, while Burnley have exactly the same figures and have been involved in four scoreless draws.

History also points to a tight match. Four of the last five between these sides in Brighton have ended drawn, while Albion’s last eight fixtures against the league’s bottom team have produced just seven goals.

Recommended bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.68

Chelsea to overcome Palace

Chelsea have come back from Dubai the newly crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions and manager Thomas Tuchel will hope that provides his team with fresh impetus for their Premier League campaign.

Of course, the title has already gone, but the race is on to secure third spot at the very least. Chelsea have travelled well this season, winning seven of their 12 league fixtures and only losing against West Ham and Manchester City. Indeed, their record on the road is actually better than at Stamford Bridge.

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are in a sticky period. Since back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Wolves in the autumn, their only Premier League victories have come against hopelessly out-of-form sides Everton and Norwich. They have lost six of their last 12, including successive home matches against Liverpool and West Ham. Expect the Blues to compound their misery, having already defeated them 3-0 this season.

Recommended bet: Chelsea @ 1.68