Premier League
Brighton vs Arsenal prediction
31 Dec @ 17:30
Arsenal will start 2023 on top of the Premier League table and end 2022 with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.
The league leaders were comfortable 3-1 winners over West Ham United on Boxing Day whilst Brighton won by the same scoreline at bottom-of-the-league Southampton.
Mikel Arteta’s side have dropped points in just two of their 16 matches so far this season and I fully expect them to take three points on their travels in this one. Whilst the Seagulls do start the day in seventh place, I don’t think they’ll be able to handle the quality of the visitors’ attack.
Yes, Eddie Nketiah is in for the injured Gabriel Jesus, but the youth product did score versus the Hammers last time out. And with Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli supporting him, they have both goals and creativity behind the striker.
Aside from a 4-1 thrashing of a Chelsea side that now sit 9th in the table, Brighton have struggled versus the top sides this season – losing 1-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur and 3-1 at Manchester City. And although they came away with a surprise point at Anfield, they did take a 2-0 lead and concede three goals. Arsenal’s defence has been much tighter.
The most attractive part of backing Arsenal on New Year’s Eve is that their odds are much higher than I was expecting. This is one of the best prices you’ll get on them this season whilst being very confident they’ll pick up all three points.
Best bet: Arsenal to win is 1/1 with BetFred