Two traditionally strong teams meet at the Emirates on Saturday (3pm) as the new Premier League season continues. Arsenal got their campaign off to a winning start last Friday with a comfortable 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.
Two days later, Leicester City had taken a 2-0 lead at home to Brentford but were pegged back and had to settle for a share of the points. On the back of those results, the bookies are now pointing to a comfortable 90 minutes for the Gunners but can Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes upset the market? Read on for our betting tips and EPL game verdict as part of this AFC vs LCFC preview.
Arsenal lead the betting by a clear margin with many outlets offering just 4/9 on the home win. The draw is next at 7/2 while victory for Leicester City is out at best industry odds of 6/1.
There is little in the way of form to consider at this point in the season. Arsenal looked solid away from home last Friday night while Leicester slipped up and allowed Brentford back in when they had control of the game.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Arsenal come through by two goals to nil. Thomas Partey and Alexandre Lacazette were the scorers although keeper Aaron Ramsdale kept the Gunners in it at times. The indicators are pointing to a home win but Leicester remain a competitive side and there is more than a chance that they can scrape a draw.
New signing Gabriel Jesus is looking for his first league goal in Arsenal colours, but the Brazilian did manage seven strikes in five pre-season games. He is the favourite to open the scoring on Saturday at 7/2.
Gunners players dominate the first goalscorer market with Eddie Nketiah slotting in as second favourite followed by Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe who are both listed at a top price of 7/1.
The first name from within the Leicester City camp is that of Jamie Vardy. Once a reported target of Arsenal, Vardy is listed at 17/2 while his teammate Kelechi Iheanacho could attract interest at a top price of 11/1.
Moving across to the team goals markets now and Both Teams to Score is available for Saturday’s game at 4/5 in most places. If you want to take the ‘No’ option on BTTS, this is quoted at an industry best of 21/20.
Now we come onto the Total Goals options where a bet Over the 2.5 line currently returns best industry odds of 7/10. By pushing that one step further, Over 3.5 goals takes us above Even Money to a top price of 9/5. If you feel that it will be a subdued afternoon at the Emirates, the Under 2.5 goals bet can be claimed at a best of 6/5.
That leaves us with some suggestions in the Correct Score market and a repeat of Arsenal’s 2-0 win from last weekend, and from the corresponding fixture last season, delivers a general 13/2. If Leicester City were to scrape a 2-1 away win, bookies will pay at around 20/1 while the 1-1 draw is on offer at 7/1.
Our Preview’s AFC vs LCFC Betting Tips Verdict
Our feeling is that this game will be similar to Arsenal’s season opener where the Gunners brushed Crystal Palace aside by two goals to nil. Mikel Arteta’s men will keep things tight at the back and, while Leicester City should offer more of an attacking threat, a low scoring Arsenal victory is the verdict.
There could be a few options here: An Arsenal win looks sound but it carries those short odds. The Gunners to win to nil would be an alternative and this is available at 6/4 in most places.
We could also look to take the No bet on Both Teams to Score at 21/20 but the better odds are the 6/5 on Under 2.5 goals. That would also cover us in the event of a 0-0 or a 1-1 draw or a low scoring Leicester victory.
We also suspect that it’s time for Gabriel Jesus to get on the scoresheet. The former Manchester City striker was prolific in pre-season and can carry over that form in front of a noisy home crowd.
There is an anytime goal option for Jesus at 7/5 but we’ll be braver on this occasion and take the 7/2 on the Brazilian to open the scoring.
We suspect that the bookies have called this correctly. Arsenal looked impressive last time out and should cruise to the win, but there are some good options in the side markets for Saturday’s game. So these are the betting tips and picks for this AFC vs LCFC preview:
Matt Harris is a football writer for Just Bookies. Other sports in his portfolio of specialities include golf and cricket. Matt has contributed to innumerable large organisations and media brands. These include: Betfair, BetVictor, USA Betting & Unibet. 