Prediction & odds for the game: Bournemouth (12/5) v Arsenal (10/11)

When: Thursday, 26th December 2019 @ 3pm K.O

Where: Vitality Stadium

Boxing Day will feature a fascinating clash between Bournemouth and Arsenal in the Premier League as Mikel Arteta’s reign begins.

Bournemouth

The irony that Mikel Arteta’s first game will be against Eddie Howe, who many believed should’ve got the job, is not lost on anyone. Bournemouth are still attempting to steady the ship and get out the way of their own inconsistency. They just can’t seem to bridge the gap between the top half and the bottom half, to the point where they’re just struggling to figure out where they belong. Above all else, though, they always seem to pull off the unthinkable against the perceived ‘big’ teams.

It’s safe to say that the Cherries haven’t had the easiest of schedules over the course of the last few weeks, with their only win – surprisingly – actually coming against Chelsea in what was a pretty tense encounter. In their last outing they returned to losing ways after falling to Burnley, and they were also put to the sword by Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Wolves.

Arsenal

A new era has dawned on the Emirates as Mikel Arteta has taken over as the new Arsenal manager. With the club lingering in the bottom half of the table for the first time in what feels like forever, it genuinely does feel like it’s do or die for them. If they aren’t able to get a foothold in things over the course of the next few weeks, if not months, then it’s going to be very tricky for them to turn it all around. This club deserves to be in a bigger and better position than it is, and Arteta needs to be the one to guide them there.

Arsenal have also only been able to win one of their last six games, too, with theirs coming against West Ham as they came out 3-1 winners. They drew games against Standard Liege, Everton and Norwich, but they were humbled by Manchester City and edged out by Brighton.

Conclusion

There are plenty of different reasons to believe that both teams could come away with the win, but in the end, we don’t quite think they’ll be able to manage it. We can see an entertaining if not ugly game unfolding, with both teams scrapping for the right to just get their foot on the ball. We’re picturing both teams getting their shots in and even scoring, but in the end, neither will be able to take that next step and secure the win.

As a direct result we also happen to believe that it’s going to hit the under 2.5 goals benchmark.

Verdict: Back the draw at odds of 3/1 and the under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 11/8. (All odds are taken from bet365).

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