Here at SportsCasting, we have the Arsenal vs Everton preview, prediction, latest team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Arsenal Vs Everton Preview
After their midweek UEFA Champions League victory, Arsenal will be looking to up the ante in the race for the Premier League title.
As it stands, the Gunners are two points behind Chelsea and six points off leaders Liverpool. Last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Fulham dampened the mood after a series of fine wins.
Bukayo Saka had a last-minute effort chalked off at Craven Cottage but the England star made amends against Monaco on Wednesday night.
Saka scored a brace and assisted another as the north Londoners ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. The England star has 21 goal involvements in as many appearances across all competitions this season.
Interestingly, Mikel Arteta’s side are looking for their 103rd top-flight win against Saturday’s visitors to the Emirates. The best football betting sites in the UK favour the Gunners at 1/4.
Bringing the noise once again in N5 📣
See you back at home on Saturday, Gooners ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ClPbmkj87M
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 11, 2024
Everton fell victims to last weekend’s Storm Darragh as the Merseyside derby was postponed due to player and supporter safety concerns.
The last Goodison Park derby will now be replayed at a later date. That means the Toffees will still be brimming with confidence after their 4-0 thrashing of Wolves on December 4.
Ashley Young and Orel Mangala set the Toffees on their way before Craig Dawson hit a brace of own goals. That win moved Sean Dyche’s side five points above the drop zone.
Before that victory on GW14, the Blues had endured a torrid run in front of goal. Dyche’s side went five games without scoring and also lost to Southampton in that run.
Now, Dyche leads his side into battle at the Emirates with the odds firmly stacked against him. The 53-year-old has only won two games in 19 attempts against the Gunners.
Arsenal Vs Everton Team News
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both missing for Arsenal with the pair a few weeks away from a first-team return. Doubts remain over Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Jurrien Timber is set to feature in defence for the Gunners. The Dutchman was benched on Wednesday in favour of Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Up top, the trusted trio of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli are all expected to start. Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and captain Martin Odegaard will get the nod in midfield.
Meanwhile, Everton are likely to stick with the same XI who thrashed Wolves. Michael Keane could make the matchday squad as he battles back from injury.
The likes of Chermiti, James Garner, Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson and Tim Iroegbunam are all still missing for the Toffees. Despite his barren run on front of goal, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will lead the line.
In defence, towering centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite will marshal the back-line alongside James Tarkowski. Ashley Young will start at full-back against his boyhood club.
Arsenal Vs Everton Confirmed Lineups
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Odegaard, Merino, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
Everton XI: Pickford, Young, Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mangala, Gueye, Doucoure, Ndiaye, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin
Arsenal Vs Everton Prediction
With the need to gain ground on Chelsea and Liverpool over the festive period, Arsenal will no doubt try and put on a spectacle on Saturday afternoon.
The resounding win over Monaco in the week provided the perfect preparation for the visit of Everton. Interestingly, both sides have been lethal from set-plays recently but we think the Gunners will be way too hot to handle.
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Everton
