Must Win for Arsenal as Gunners Host Bournemouth
Arsenal vs Bournemouth Odds Heavily Favor Hosts
First-Placed Arsenal Don’t Control Own Destiny
Despite a massively important win on Sunday at rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal still don’t control their title destiny. Heading into the weekend, the Gunners sit in first place in the Premier League with three games to play. However, Manchester City are only one point behind with a game in hand. That makes Saturday’s match vs. Bournemouth, and all of the remaining ones, a must-win for Arsenal. Bournemouth have entered the top half of the table and have won their last two games. We’ll see if the Cherries have a shot to thwart the Gunners’ title charge as we check out the Arsenal vs Bournemouth odds.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth
Records: Arsenal (25-5-5), Bournemouth (13-9-13)
Date, Time:
Location: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Stream: Peacock
Arsenal vs Bournemouth Head-to-Head
In 15 previous matches between Arsenal and AFC Bournemouth, Bournemouth have won only one of them. The Cherries are just 1-2-12 vs. Arsenal all-time and have never won at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are on a four-match winning streak in this fixture, which includes the last three on the Premier League schedule.
Last September, Arsenal defeated Bournemouth 4-0 at the Vitality Stadium and the Arsenal vs Bournemouth odds priced the Gunners as -200 favorites.. In the last meeting at the Emirates, Arsenal fell behind 2-0. Still, they pulled off a brilliant comeback, as Reiss Nelson scored a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 Arsenal victory.
Arsenal Get Nervy North London Derby Win
Despite looking off of their best, Arsenal found themselves 3-0 up in Sunday’s North London Derby. Two of their goals came off of corners, as Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored an own goal and Kai Havertz headed in Arsenal’s third. Arsenal have scored the most set-piece goals in the Premier League by some margin and Bukayo Saka also scored on a counterattack. In the second half, Arsenal looked more controlled but they let Tottenham back into the game.
Arsenal keeper David Raya gifted the ball to Cristian Romero, who struck home. Declan Rice also fouled Ben Davies in the box and Son Heung-min scored the ensuing penalty kick. Arsenal managed to hold on for an important 3-2 win. The Premier League futures list Arsenal at +225 odds to win their first title since 2004. All it would take is a Man City loss or draw for the Gunners to get back in control since Arsenal have a better goal difference.
Havertz deserves special recognition for the form he’s been in lately. He scored and provided an assist on Sunday and has 13 goal contributions in his last 11 Premier League games. Jurrien Timber is nearing a return to full fitness after an ACL injury but all the rest of the Gunners should be available come Saturday. After blowing a lead in the title race last season, we’ll see if Arsenal have learned from their mistakes.
Bournemouth Not Far Off European Qualification
At the beginning of the season, Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth were relegation candidates. The Premier League odds listed the Cherries at +250 to go down to the EFL Championship. With three games to play, Bournemouth are 23 points clear of the relegation zone and just five points away from seventh place. If Bournemouth can surpass seventh-placed Newcastle in the last three matches, they’ll qualify for European competition for the first time in their history.
Over the weekend, Bournemouth dominated Brighton, which Robert De Zarbi heavily rotated. Marcos Senesi scored Bournemouth’s opener, while Enes Unal and Justin Kluivert also got on the scoresheet. Unal managed to score on his first-ever Premier League start. Kluivert has scored seven goals this season, which only ranks behind Antoine Semenyo (8) and Dominic Solanke (18) at Bournemouth.
Bournemouth have also won back-to-back games and five of their last eight. However, Bournemouth are only 0-1-6 vs. the top four teams in the Premier League this season. Plus, they are dealing with some injury issues. Romain Faivre, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams, Marcus Tavernier, and Ryan Fredericks are all injured. Meanwhile, defender Milos Kerkez is suspended for this one.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth Match Analysis & Odds
Arsenal can’t afford to take their opponents lightly here. While the Gunners did defeat Chelsea 5-0 in their last home match, anything can happen in the Premier League. Still, the Arsenal vs Bournemouth odds price hosts Arsenal as -485 favorites for Saturday’s match.
Bournemouth come in at +1250 odds and have never won away at Arsenal. Yet they have managed a respectable 6-3-8 road record in the Premier League this season. Arsenal -2 sits at even odds and the Gunners have eight wins by three or more goals in the EPL this season.
Bettors can also back Bournemouth +2 at -120. A draw would most likely spell the end of Arsenal’s title chances and one is priced at +660. The Cherries are on a surprising ten-match scoring streak but expect Arteta to prioritize defense this week after Arsenal almost melted down vs. Tottenham. Under 3.5 goals show -115 odds here.
