Monday 26th December 2022 Premier League
Arsenal vs West Ham
Arsenal headed into the World Cup break top of the Premier League tree after great first half to the season with a 5-point gap over the champions Manchester City, so the Gunners will be hoping to pick up where they left off with their first game back against West Ham on Monday.
This final game of the Premier League fixtures on Boxing Day sees Arsenal as the red-hot favourites at 1.50, with the draw 4.33 and West Ham at 6.00, while last season’s repeat fixture ended in a comfortable 2-0 win for Arsenal.
We also saw a RED CARD in this fixture last season, so there might be a bit of carry over from that, but the big head-to-head stat is that Arsenal have lost just 1 of their last 16 matches against West Ham and tasted defeat in only 2 of their last 30 Premier League games over the Hammers.
Oh, Arsenal have also won the last 6 repeat fixtures.
It’s also a clash that’s tended to produce goals, with 11 of the last 15 matches going OVER 2.5 GOALS and 70% of the last 10 repeat fixtures also saw 3+ goals scored. You can back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.80.
Both teams have also scored in 13 of the last 20 head-to-heads, which might appeal @1.90.
Looking at the goalscoring markets – for Arsenal, Saka and Martinelli will be popular with Jesus out injured. They are both on offer at 6.50 (1st) or 3.00 (anytime).
The lowest-priced West Ham player in the scoring markets is Michail Antonio, who is 12.00 (1st) or 5.00 (anytime), or Jarrod Bowen, who has netted twice in the last three head-to-heads, might be worth an interest too at 15.00 (1st) or 6.50 (anytime).
Overall, it’s a game that Arsenal will be expected to win, but the 1.50 on offer is a bit on the short side. However, it’s a game that has yielded goals in the past and so the Over 2.5 Goals option @ 1.80 looks better value and how we are going to play this one.
BEST BET: OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 1.80