THE race for Champions League football is suddenly very much on.
After Man City’s shock Champions League ban, suddenly fifth place gets a golden ticket to next year’s competition – and our betting tips for this week are from games related to this scrap.
Arsenal fans are hopeful Mikel Arteta can help the club take advantage of Manchester City’s Champions League ban by finishing fifth and qualifyingCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Arsenal vs Everton, Sunday 4.30pm
MIKEL’s men have finally given their fans some home comforts.
Although 4-0 flattered them in the end, the sense of relief around the Emirates was palpable as Arsenal dispatched Newcastle last weekend.
And that included a goal from Alexandre Lacazette, who ended a barren run which stretched all the way back to early December.
Everton are going under the radar somewhat and over the last 10 matches sit third in the form table, level with Man City.
They’ve lost just once in that time and are coming into this one off the back of two excellent wins over Crystal Palace and Watford.
Anyone who watched Arsenal on Sunday will know that Newcastle had their chances.
If any of the Toon could shoot straight, they’d have netted in a first half which saw them create three big chances.
And after the break they should have twice scored again, Saint-Maximin smashing against the post and Ciaran Clark shanking wide from three yards out.
Basically, we reckon that the Toffees score on Sunday – regardless of their absolutely terrible record in North London.
Everton haven’t beaten Arsenal away from home since 1996, when Graham Stuart and Andrei Kanchelskis scored in a 2-1 victory at Highbury.
Since then, it’s been one, long miserable streak and Arsenal have won the last six meetings on the trot.
On Sunday though, we’re backing the draw.
Arteta’s side is a work in progress, while Everton are fast learning to win points ugly under Carlo Ancellotti.
No side has drawn as many games this season in the Premier League than Arsenal – half of their matches, 13/26, have ended in a stalemate.
13/5 is a brilliant price and we’re happy to back that all day long.
We also reckon Everton score, as they have done in nine of their last 10 games on the road.
The 4/7 on both teams to score is short, so we’re tempted to go for both to net in a fast-paced first half to boost the odds.
That’s a massive 3/1 and will be a great way to end the weekend.
SunSport’s best bets
Yet another draw at the Emirates: 13/5
Both teams to score: 4/7
Each side to net in the first half: 3/1
*All odds from Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
