Everton vs Arsenal betting tips
Arsenal’s away form in the Premier League this season has been poor, but they can start improving it by piling more misery on Everton and their under-pressure manager Ronald Koeman.
This is being written before both of these clubs’ Europa League matches on Thursday, so what may have happened when Everton hosted Lyon could have impacted on Koeman’s job security even though he has reportedly been backed this week by the club’s hierarchy.
But assuming the Dutchman is still in charge on Sunday, he could be pushed closer to the precipice by another defeat for his side – albeit we still believe it is too early to sack him considering the vast changes to the Toffees squad that were made in the summer.
How much blame can be laid at Koeman’s door for Everton’s disappointing start to the campaign is difficult to determine. If he alone was largely responsible for putting together such a vastly different team, then he has to take the rap for it not having worked so far.
It is simply very difficult to fancy the Merseysiders in their current league form against any top opponent when, for example, they are losing at home to Burnley and needing a last-gasp penalty to avoid defeat at Brighton, as they have in their last two games.
Arsenal’s only point on their travels was in a creditable 0-0 draw at Chelsea, while their defeats at Stoke and Liverpool were joined last week by a 2-1 loss at Watford caused by a combination of a dodgy penalty award and the failure to withstand a late onslaught from hosts inspired by substitute Troy Deeney’s introduction.
The Gunners, however they fared away to Red Star Belgrade on Thursday, are worth a chance to atone for their Vicarage Road capitulation and are fancied to gain an opening Premier League away success of the season against an Everton side struggling to build up any momentum.
Everton vs Arsenal stats
- Arsenal have won four of the last five matches between these clubs
- Over 2.5 goals have been scored in six of the last eight meetings
- Going into this weekend, only Crystal Palace had scored fewer Premier League away goals this season than Arsenal