Prediction and odds for the game: Bournemouth (10/3) v Arsenal (5/6)
We are backing the away win
When: Monday 27th January 2020, kick-off 8 PM
Where: The Vitality Stadium
On Monday night, Bournemouth host Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium, in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Bournemouth
The FA Cup is way down the list of priorities for the Cherries this season. Preserving their Premier League status is obviously their main objective for the rest of the campaign. In truth, Eddie Howe’s team could have done without this game.
The Cherries really have struggled for form of late, winning just three of their last 14 games in all competitions. A rather hefty injury list consisting of eight players has not helped the team from the south coast. The home side’s injury problems mean that boss Howe is unlikely to make sweeping changes to his starting line-up for this encounter.
The Cherries have a poor recent record in the FA Cup, winning just one of their last six matches in the competition. However, that one victory was in the third round this season, as they saw off Luton Two 4-0 at the Vitality, ending a run of four defeats and one draw in the FA Cup for the team from the south coast.
The 3-1 home win over Brighton last time out will have raised spirits amongst everybody at the club. Whether it will be enough to inspire victory in this game remains to be seen.
Arsenal
The Gunners have encountered mixed fortunes since the appointment of new head coach Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard has overseen just two wins in his eight matches as Arsenal boss.
However, the team from north London are on an unbeaten run of five games in all competitions, having drawn their last three matches. A 2-2 draw at London rivals Chelsea was highly creditable, as they played near 70 minutes with just ten men after the dismissal of centre-back David Luiz. The Brazilian defender will join striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the sidelines for this game due to suspension.
The Gunners seem to be harder to beat under former-Manchester City boss Arteta. The draw at Chelsea shows that perhaps the Gunners rookie head coach has instilled a bit more steel into his team.
Arsenal have failed to make it past this round of the competition in the last two seasons after lifting the trophy in 2017. Last season the north London team suffered a fourth-round 3-1 home defeat against Manchester United. This season they defeated Leeds United 1-0 in the third round of the competition.
Conclusion
Although Arsenal are not in great form, their form is better than that of the Cherries’, whose form has been woeful of late. The home sides injury problems are the main reason we are backing the away win. However, it is unlikely to be a comfortable win, as the Gunners have won just once in their last four visits to Bournemouth.
Both sides have been involved in high-scoring games of late, so we are also backing the over 2.5 goals scored as well.
Verdict: We are backing the away win at odds of 5/6 and or over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 8/11. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
[geosnippet id=3620]Are you looking for a good bookmaker to place your bet on Bournemouth v Arsenal? Then look no further than our betting page for the Soccertimes recommended bookmakers. If this article was to your taste, then you will enjoy our soccer predictions page, where you can find two daily tips articles.
Who will make it to the fourth round of the FA Cup?
