The Gunners will be looking to build on a morale-boosting draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Tuesday when they travel to Bournemouth for tonight’s FA Cup fourth-round tie. The hosts also registered an important win last time out and are seeking to replicate that same performance against the Gunners. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the game here.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe breathed a sigh of relief following Tuesday’s 3-1 triumph over Brighton at the Vitality Stadium. The Cherries had picked up just one point from six previous league games, that coming from the draw with the Gunners. Howe will be hoping for another positive outcome tonight as they try and build momentum with the season entering a crucial period.
The Gunners themselves are having a difficult season and an FA Cup run might be able to salvage their campaign. Their performances may have improved under the tutelage of Mikel Arteta, but the victories aren’t coming as easy as they’d like. They scraped past Leeds with a 1-0 victory in the FA Cup Third Round, with that being one of just three wins in their last 20 matches in all competitions. Can they get a rare win away from home?
Betting preview
Bournemouth won their last home game 3-1 against Brighton. Arsenal have won just three matches in 20 games in all competitions. The Gunners have a dismal away record this season. They have won one away match since September last year. Mikel Arteta’s side have seen ten of their away matches end in stalemate this term. Although the Cherries are coming off a rough patch Arsenal’s terrible away record give the hosts a slight upper hand. You can back a Bournemouth Double Chance at odds of 2.10.
Eight of both the Cherries and the Gunners last ten matches in all competitions have seen three or fewer goals scored. Four of the last five meetings between these two have also seen Under 3.5 Goals. For that reason, you can back Under 3.5 Goals in this game at odds of 1.35.
Both teams have scored in four of the last five meetings between these two sides. Both defences are struggling this season, with the hosts keeping just one clean sheet in ten games while the Gunners have kept two. Therefore, you can back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.75.
Team news
Arsenal will be without both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Luiz as they serve red card suspensions, but Mikel Arteta could have Sokratis back after he missed the Chelsea game through illness. Dani Ceballos is available for selection, despite reports suggesting his loan could be terminated early.
Howe will be without defender Charlie Daniels as well as attacking midfielder David Brooks. Arnaut Danjuma, Jordan Ibe, Josh King, Chris Mepham, Jack Stacey and Junior Stanislas all remain sidelined. Lewis Cook and Dan Gosling, meanwhile, are both pushing for starts.
Possible line-ups
Bournemouth: Boruc, Smith, Francis, Ake, Rico, Wilson, Lerma, Billing, Fraser; Solanke, Wilson
Arsenal: Martinez, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Mustafi, Saka, Guendouzi, Willock, Pepe, Ozil, Martinelli, Lacazette.