Arsenal vs West Ham preview: Free betting tips, odds and predictions

ARSENAL host struggling London rivals West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in Saturday’s Premier League encounter.

SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.

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Arsenal vs West Ham preview

Arsenal clash with West Ham United at the Emirates on Saturday with a massive opportunity to pile the pressure on title favourites Liverpool.

The Reds dropped more points against Aston Villa midweek, and must now pick themselves up ahead of a difficult assignment with reigning champions Manchester City.

Should Arsenal win and Liverpool lose, Mikel Arteta’s side could close the gap to just five points at the top of the Premier League table.

They’ll also boast an all-important game in hand heading into the final stretch, which includes their head-to-head meeting at Anfield on May 10.

But first, Arsenal need to deal with their London rivals with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all still sidelined.

That’s likely to see Mikel Merino continue as a makeshift striker following his heroics against Leicester last time out.

The Gunners were far from their brilliant best in that encounter, but their record against West Ham and at the Emirates provides reasons to be cheerful.

Arsenal have won 37 Premier League games against West Ham – they’ve only beaten Everton (38) more often in the competition. They also won 6-0 and 5-2 in their last two Premier League meetings and are unbeaten in their last 15 top-flight matches.

As for visitors West Ham, they are clearly still adapting to life under Graham Potter.

There’s been no magic wand for the English coach, who’s seen his side lose four of his six games in charge (W1, D1) and now sit 16th in the division – 10 clear of the relegation zone.

This will be West Ham’s fifth London derby in just six games under Potter, losing each of the last three including an extremely lacklustre 1-0 loss to Brentford at the London Stadium last time out.

It won’t help that Lucas Paqueta “had a bit of a collision” in training and will miss Saturday’s trip to North London and “probably” the visit of Leicester on Thursday.

Arsenal vs West Ham preview betting odds

Arsenal 3/10 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

Draw 4/1 with Betfred – CLAIM HERE

West Ham United 21/2 with BetMGM – CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Arsenal vs West Ham preview betting tips and predictions

Win and clean sheet

Arsenal should collect maximum points in this one, and it should come with a clean sheet.

The Gunners have the joint-lowest goals conceded (3) over the last four Premier League matches with two clean sheets to boot. They’ve also conceded the fewest shots on goal with only Fulham boasting a lower xGC (expected goals conceded).

Not ideal for West Ham, who have the fourth-lowest xG in the division. Only Southampton, Leicester and Ipswich Town have a lower xG over the last four league games.

Arsenal Win to Nil at 19/20 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

On target

Gabriel was a menace from set-pieces in that 5-2 encounter earlier this season, and he might well cause West Ham trouble again this weekend.

He opened the scoring at the London Stadium that evening, which was actually his last league goal. But it’s not for want of trying. He’s had a total of 12 attempts at goal in home league matches this season and he ranks sixth for xG in the Arsenal squad.

The Gunners have also scored more goals from crosses than any other side in the Premier League this season (13), with both of Mikel Merino’s strikes against Leicester coming via a cross.

Gabriel at least 1 shot on target at 5/4 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

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