Brighton v Arsenal: Both teams hard to trust in tight clash

Brighton v Arsenal: Both teams hard to trust in tight clash

Brighton host Arsenal on Tuesday night and Simon Mail thinks neither side can be trusted for victory...

Brighton v Arsenal
Tuesday, 18:00
Live on Amazon Prime Sport

Potter's Brighton struggling for victories

Brighton have played some entertaining football this season but their points haul does not match their endeavour and Graham Potter's side are nervously looking over their shoulders. Their only wins in the Premier League have come at Newcastle and Aston Villa and the Seagulls' poor home record is cause for concern. While their performances have not been that bad, Brighton have lacked ruthlessness and are only two places and points above the relegation zone.

Their frustrations were summed up by last week's 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield United. Brighton dominated possession and efforts against the bottom side but were reliant on a late Danny Welbeck goal to salvage a point. Brighton twice squandered a lead as they were held to a 2-2 draw at West Ham on Sunday, leaving them with just one victory in their last 14 matches. The Seagulls quickly need to find a way to win at home if they are ease themselves away from the bottom three.

Youngsters provide festive relief for Arteta

Arsenal's season has not gone to plan with the euphoria from Mikel Arteta's FA Cup triumph in August already a distant memory.

The Gunners are 15th in the Premier League and significantly closer to the relegation zone than the top four in points and places.

A seven-match winless run stretching back to the start of November intensified the pressure on Arteta before a timely boost on Boxing Day in the win over Chelsea.

Arteta, partly due to illness and Covid-19 precautions, went with his younger players against Chelsea and it paid off with an impressive 3-1 home victory. Arsenal produced a performance laced with energy and intensity as the likes of goalscorer Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe showed up misfiring absentees like David Luiz and Willian. Whether this is the start of a resurgence or simply brief respite, it was a hugely important result for Arteta as he fights to hold on to his job.

Difficult to trust either side

Arsenal are 2.4 favourites but no-one should get carried away by their win over Chelsea. It seems premature to suddenly assume Arteta's side have become a strong team overnight. Their record this season is poor with just five wins from 15 matches and they were beaten twice last season by Brighton. Their odds do not appeal based on their form and the visitors are easily swerved.

Brighton are 3.25 to claim a third successive win against Arsenal but their miserable home record this season is a big concern. With no wins from seven games, their total of four points at home is only superior to 20th placed Sheffield United. Brighton will surely improve this some time soon but there is no value in trusting them for this match.

The draw is priced at 3.5 and is the most appealing of the three options. Four of Brighton's seven games at the Amex Stadium have been draws and the side have been held seven times this season - the most in the competition. The draw is tempting although Brighton and Arsenal's form is such that this market still looks unpredictable. Preference is to look elsewhere for a bet on the match.

Both teams backed to score

Neither of these teams can be trusted but it's worth putting faith in goals for this clash. Arsenal have gone six league matches without keeping a clean sheet while Brighton have conceded in six of their seven home games.

Brighton are undefeated in the last five meetings with Arsenal and all of these games have seen both teams score.

With both sides struggling for clean sheets, the best bet is to back a goal at both ends at 1.82.

It could also be worth looking at the Same Game Multi options to enhance the odds. Combining both teams to score with a draw inflates the price to 4.17. Another option worth considering is both teams to score and under 3.5 goals at 2.9. Brighton have only scored more than once in one home game this season while the only time Arsenal scored over one goal away in the league was at Fulham on the opening weekend.