"Arsenal have lost just one of their last 36 cup meetings with sides from outside the Premier League and will feel confident of getting the job done here, even without some key names.

Preston North End v Arsenal
Saturday, 17:30
Live on BT Sport 2

Preston

The Lilywhites welcome Arsenal to Deepdale for a fixture that has previously produced fireworks in the FA Cup: the three previous cup meetings at Preston have produced 15 goals, including six when the clubs met in January 1999, the Gunners emerging 4-2 winners.

Much has changed since then, of course, but this could still be an intriguing match. Simon Grayson's men are pottering along nicely enough in the Championship, but with the play-offs and the relegation zone both some distance away (six and eight points respectively), we can expect them to throw their full weight at their visitors on Saturday.

The form book, though, does not make for brilliant reading: they have not managed two consecutive wins since October, while Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday have both taken points from Deepdale since Christmas.

Arsenal

Two points dropped or one point rescued? Whatever your view on Arsenal's rollercoaster draw at Bournemouth, you could hardly fault it for entertainment value. There's also no denying that Arsene Wenger's men showed great resolve to come back from three goals down - even if their fragility was there for all to see in the first half.

The FA Cup has been kind to the Gunners in recent times and again looks like their best shot at silverware this season. They have lost just one of their last 36 cup meetings with sides from outside the Premier League and will feel confident of getting the job done here, even without some key names.

Wenger has confirmed that Alexis Sanchez will be rested for this match, and he may not be the only one. Midfield guard dog Francis Coquelin has been ruled out with a hamstring issue and Lucas Perez is a doubt with an ankle knock, meanwhile. But there is some positive news: Mesut Ozil has recovered from illness and the lesser-spotted Danny Welbeck could be involved after a long lay-off.

Match Odds

Preston have won just one of their last 15 FA Cup games against top-flight opposition, so it's little surprise to see them as long as 7.40 to spring a surprise. Arsenal have not lost away from home in the competition since 2012, so look solid 1.49 shots.

We can probably expect Wenger's side to go about their task with some conviction in a bid to erase the memory of their start against Bournemouth, so the Asian Handicap market appeals. Consider the [2.25] available on Arsenal -1.5.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Nine of Arsenal's last 11 away games in all competitions have gone over this line, and while Preston matches have tended to be a little less goal-laden, you sense that the flow of this match will be determined largely by the performance of the away side - at both ends of the pitch.

Over 2.5 goals is as short as 1.63, however, so a better option may be over 3.5 at 2.52. This would have paid out in eight Arsenal away games this term, as well as two of Preston's last three matches at Deepdale.

To Score

Given Sanchez's absence and the possibility that even Olivier Giroud could also be given the afternoon off, Perez will be fine pick at 5/4 on the Sportsbook if is fit to start.

The Spaniard notched twice against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup and three times away to Basel, stepping up to the plate when others were rested. Monitor the team news and make your move if he plays.

Recommended Bets

Back Arsenal -1.5 at [2.25]
Back over 3.5 goals at 2.52



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