Bournemouth vs Arsenal Preview, Team News, Line-Ups, Betting Tips & Prediction

Arsenal will look to regain third spot in the Premier League table when we take on AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium this evening.

We head in to the game off the back of consecutive victories with Olivier Giroud’s sensational scorpion kick goal helping us to a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

That win ensured we stay in the top four but we can climb up to third and to within just one point of second-placed Liverpool if we come away from the south coast with all three points tonight.

Arsene Wenger will also be keen to close the gap on leaders Chelsea to six points ahead of their trip to Tottenham tomorrow as defeat for us tonight coupled with a win for Antonio Conte’s men at White Hart Lane would see us fall 12 points behind and out of the title race.

However, Bournemouth won’t be any push overs as Eddie Howe’s team have proven to be tough opposition this season and they moved up to ninth in the table with a convincing win over Swansea on New Year’s Eve.

Team news

Mesut Ozil missed the win over Palace on Sunday through illness and this game is expected to come too soon for the German international.

Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs are also doubts for the match after missing the win over the Eagles with calf and knee injuries respectively.

Wenger has hinted he’ll freshen things up after having just one days rest so Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin are all pushing for recalls.

Shkodran Mustafi could also come back in to the side after recovering from a hamstring injury but Mohamed Elneny isn’t available as he’s off to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Bournemouth will have to make do without the services of on-loan Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere as he’s not eligible to face his parent club.

Benik Afobe will be in contention after snubbing the chance to represent DR Congo at the AFCON but Max Gradel has already linked up with the Ivory Coast squad.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal: We controlled the game against Palace but the key to this match is how quickly the players have recovered physically from that game. Bournemouth have had an extra day to recharge their batteries so that could be a factor but I’m still confident we’ll have enough to secure a vital win tonight.

Betting Tips

Arsenal are the 3/4 favourites to win the game but we can get you enhanced odds of 6/1 on the Gunners – just click here to take advantage of these crazy odds. However, here are some other bets I like the look of:

• Both teams to score at 13/20 – a £10 bet would return £16.50
• Exact score of 2-1 Arsenal win at 15/2 – a £10 bet would return £85
• Sanchez to score first in a 2-1 Arsenal win at 18/1 – a £10 bet would return £190