Arsenal vs Brighton: Preview and Prediction

Sunday 5th May 2019

England Premier League
Sunday 5th May 2019
Kick off at 4.30pm BST
Venue: Emirates Stadium

Match Preview:

Much depends on how Chelsea finish the season but despite Arsenal’s incredibly poor form in the Premier League they still have an outside chance to finish in the top 4. They come into this game in 5^th and 2 points behind Chelsea.

Just like Chelsea Arsenal have the Europa League on their minds and their crucial 2^nd leg semi-final match against Valencia will follow this game, four days later. The first leg ended 3-1 to the Gunners which looks to have helped them put one foot in the final of a competition that they have not participated in since 2000 when it was called the UEFA Cup.

This game against Brighton is the last roll of the dice realistically for Arsenal to make the Champions League via their league standing and they should be able to get past Brighton, after all they have lost just 2 games at this stadium in the league this season.

Arsenal’s form has been very poor with 3 defeats in a row and 4 in 5 coming into this game and it is clear that the players and maybe even Unai Emery who has won the Europa League 3 times before is focused on this competition.

Brighton are 4 points clear of Cardiff, and now officially safe from relegation after Cardiff lost 3-2 to Crystal Palace earlier today, therefore incentive will be minimal for this game.

Chris Hughton’s side have been incredibly poor winning just 8 points from their last possible 30 and have been dancing with relegation even though they started so strong this season. Away from home the club have lost 12 games from 18 and their last match on the road was a brave fight before going down to Tottenham 1-0.

Team News:

Arsenal: Laurent Koscielny is suffering from fatigue and is rated as only 50/50 to be able to make this match. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is suspended for one game after his sending off against Leicester. Sadly for Aaron Ramsey he has been ruled out of the season with his hamstring injury. He is joining Juventus in the summer and so has played his final game for the club. Denis Suarez has been ruled out for the rest of the season with his groin injury

Brighton: Jose Heriberto Izqueirdo has been ruled out of this game with a knee injury. Davy Propper is also out with a hamstring problem

Arsenal vs Brighton Head to Head:

Earlier this season the match ended 1-1.

Arsenal won this fixture 2-0 last season.

4 of the last 5 matches have seen both teams to score.

Arsenal vs Brighton Prediction:

Brighton are known for parking the bus and playing negative football - but sometimes this has been the required job to stay up. However with Arsenal not fully focused on this game and not in good form we expect that a more relaxed Brighton will venture forward and create chances. This in turn will lead to ignite Arsenal’s attacking abilities and it is very possible we will see an entertaining game of football where we expect to see many incidents and goals. Arsenal should be too strong for them at home.

Arsenal vs Brighton Betting Tips:

Over 3.5 goals at 2.63

Both teams to score at 1.80