Arsenal vs. Everton – England Premier League Match Preview, Emirates Stadium, Islington, North London, England 11 AM EST Sunday December 8, 2013
By Jason Green, Soccer/Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Match Odds: Arsenal 1.66 / Everton 5.00 / Draw 3.75
Moneyline: Arsenal -150 / Everton +400 / Draw +275
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
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Everton has been a solid club for years now, but the knock on them is that they were always tough at home, but could not win the big matches on the road. However, they debunked that myth in their last match with a big 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Arsenal is in the lead in the EPL race and to say they are in top form would be an understatement. Since losing to Man U on November 10th the Gunners have won 3 straight league matches and in that span they have scored 7 goals and have not conceded any.
Everton sits in 5th place in the league table 7 points behind Arsenal. This a tough part of the schedule for the Gunners, as after the Everton match they hit the road to face Manchester City and then host Chelsea. On the other side of the coin Everton can really get a push in the league table, as 2 of their next 3 matches come against clubs in the relegation zone and the other is hosting 11th place side Fulham.
The Gunners have 3 clean sheets in a row and they have conceded the fewest goals in league play. G Wojciech Szczesny anchors a solid Gunners’ defense that has been impenetrable as of late that will be facing an Everton offense that has scored 8 goals in their last 3 matches.
The Everton defense has 2 clean sheets in a row, but can they make it 3 facing an Emirates Stadium facing an Arsenal side that has scored the 3rd most goals in the league? Big question.
Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud have combined for 15 goals this season, which has accounted for almost half of the Gunners’ goals. Arsenal has a solid midfield and they play a very fluid style of soccer, so it is key that the Everton midfield plays well and they do not let Arsenal dictate the match.
Everton has a goal differential of +9 while Arsenal is at +19. The issue for Everton on the season has been their defense, which has been solid as of late. They came out with confidence in the big win over Man U and narrowly lost the time of possession battle, which they will have to duplicate to beat the Gunners.
While there are 4 Everton players that have 2 goals apiece the main player Arsenal’s defense will have to worry about is Romelu Lukaku. He has 8 goals on the season and must be marked at all times. If the Gunners can shut him down they have a great chance to win.
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Last season at home these 2 teams played to a 0-0 draw.
In their last 10 matches Arsenal has an O/U 2.5 goal record of 3-7 and Everton is at 6-4.
In the last 6 Premier League matches between these 2 teams Arsenal is unbeaten with 4 wins and 2 draws. At least Everton can take solace in the fact that the 2 draws have come in the last 2 matches.
Arsenal Recent Form
11/10/2013 Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0 (Premier League)
11/23/2013 Arsenal 2 Southampton 0 (Premier League)
11/26/2013 Arsenal 2 Marseille 0 (Champions League)
11/30/2013 Cardiff City 0 Arsenal 3 (Premier League)
12/4/2013 Arsenal 2Hull City 0 (Premier League)
Everton Recent Form
11/3/2013 Everton 0 Tottenham Hotspur 0 (Premier League)
11/9/2013 Crystal Palace 0 Everton 0 (Premier League)
11/23/2013 Everton 3 Liverpool 3 (Premier League)
11/30/2013 Everton 4 Stoke City 0 (Premier League)
12/4/2013 Manchester United 0 Everton 1 (Premier League)
Jason’s Prediction to Win the Match: I have to admit I like Everton, but while coming off a great win over Manchester United at Old Trafford they do not match up well with Arsenal. The Gunners have too much offense and are in top form and they will come out swinging. Look for Arsenal to control this match and win by a score of 2-0 or 3-1.