Arsenal FC vs Bournemouth, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 04/05/2024

Odds via Tonybet

Arsenal vs Bournemouth. Shape of the Teams.

Arsenal is the first title contender to play this weekend’s Premier League action. Manchester City will play 4h30 later, while Liverpool will face Tottenham on Sunday. The pressure will vary from game to game and will highly depend on how Arsenal fares, potentially creating a chain reaction.

Arsenal’s role as a leader and a team that pushed for the title last season is well established, though they remain a work in progress.

Bournemouth, however, is trickier to assess, given how inconsistent they have been throughout the season. Andoni Iraola saw red at the beginning of the campaign, with Bournemouth lingering at the bottom of the league. 

Despite the poor start, Bournemouth’s president reaffirmed his trust in the Spaniard and it paid off. Iraola redeemed himself and remained unbeaten with the Cherries for weeks on end. Although their record in recent weeks is far from the best, it’s significantly improved, highlighted by a decisive 3-0 victory over Brighton.

However, the Gunners have the psychological edge as they defeated Bournemouth 4-0 in their last encounter. Iraola’s style comes with many drawbacks, one of them being that his team is often ‘too dynamic’, resulting in players being lost in excessive transitions. 

With a game plan that requires intense play throughout the ninety minutes, mental exhaustion in the players’ eyes is not uncommon. All of this promises a juicy clash on a fine Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal FC vs Bournemouth Match Info

• Date and Kickoff Time: Saturday, May 4, 7:30 AM EDT
• Stadium: Emirates
• Location: London, England
• Last match: Bournemouth vs Arsenal FC: 0-4 (September 30, 2023, Premier League)

Arsenal FC vs Bournemouth, Odds

• Pick: Arsenal FC to win
• Odds: -477 (Tonybet)

Arsenal is among the best teams out of possession, but also one of the most risk-averse teams in the Premier League. This just adds more excitement to the tie, as Iraola’s high-press, intense style of playing the game promises a clash where one team encounters their antithesis. In many ways, Bournemouth could potentially be Arsenal’s kryptonite, and the Gunners will have to be creative not to fall into the hands of Iraola’s masterplan.

During Arsenal’s commanding 4-0 victory in their last encounter, Iraola was still adjusting to the Premier League’s demands. Adaptation takes time, from a tactical and human perspective. By now, Bournemouth has embraced Iraola’s tactics, much to the delight of their fans. The team has elevated their performance, drawing against Manchester United and troubling other top sides. Bournemouth is currently 10th, which is a testament to the success of Andoni Iraola.

But there is one ‘but’: injuries. Mikel Arteta has a fully healthy squad but the same can’t be said about Andoni Iraola. Key players like Andoni Iraola. Tyler Adams, Marcus Tavernier, Luis Sinisterra, Romain Faivre, Chris Mepham, and Antoine Semenyo are all sidelined due to injuries. To add insult to injury, Kerkez is suspended and Iliya Zabarnyi is potentially absent, awaiting medical clearance.

While Bournemouth will look to Dominic Solanke to spearhead their attack and create scoring opportunities, Arsenal will be counting on the craftiness of Martin Ødegaard. Ødegaard’s deceptive approach, akin to a “Greek Gift,” dazzles opponents right before delivering critical blows. His performances have silenced those who once questioned his ability to lead Arsenal’s ambitious project.

The possible absence of Iliya Zabarnyi could be a game-changer. The Ukrainian’s presence enables the Cherries to play through the middle, given his great ball-playing skills. In his absence, the rather average Lloyd Kelly would take over, potentially slowing down Bournemouth’s gameplay.

Arsenal FC vs Bournemouth Betting Tip

• Pick: Arsenal to keep a clean sheet
• Odds: +106 (Tonybet)

Arsenal is not a team with the most talented individuals but rather an XI that is one of the most cohesive in terms of balancing different profiles. Between Saka, Ødegaard, and Saliba, we see a wide variety of different types of players. 

Solanke has been performing excellently for Bournemouth this season, but seeing him score is rather tough against Arsenal’s top-notch defensive line – he is alone among many. If Solanke struggles to make an impact, Bournemouth’s offensive strategy might falter, vulnerable to collapsing without its foundational piece.

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.