Football Bet of the Day: Arsenal to edge out Hammers

Title-chasing Arsenal host seventh-placed West Ham on Thursday in a meeting that could have major ramifications for both the Premier League title race and the European places come the end of the season.

The Gunners have not lost at home all season, whilst the Hammers have won two of their last three on the road.

Arsenal picked up a vitally important point in a 1-1 draw at Anfield against fellow title rivals Liverpool, in a game that saw a host of squandered opportunities for The Reds and leaves just a two point gap between the two.

West Ham made it two wins in a row against Manchester United as they defeated the Red Devils by two goals to nil, making it three wins from their last four in all competitions.

The Gunners have been perfect at home in recent weeks, taking maximum points in each of their last seven games in all competitions, including important wins against champions Manchester City and Europe-chasing Brighton.

They also boast an impressive home record against their opponents on Thursday night, winning each of their last eight meetings at the Emirates and losing just once in 15 years.

Goals have been shared around the squad again this season, with seven players registering three or more goals and Bukayo Saka once again topping the charts with eleven goal contributions.

However, despite losing just one of their last seven league games, the Gunners have only kept one clean sheet, although the 16 goals they have conceded all season is the joint lowest in the league, alongside Liverpool.

West Ham have had a promising first half of the season, currently occupying a coveted European position as well as progressing to the knockout stage comfortably in the Europa League.

Despite not having a centre-forward fit (with Michail Antonio injured), this has not stopped David Moyes’ side getting on the scoresheet with regularity, scoring 31 in the league so far.

Eleven of these goals have come via Jarrod Bowen and he is now just one goal away from equalling his best-ever top-flight goals tally for a season with half the campaign still to play.

Despite Bowen’s electric form in front of goal, there will be concerns with the defensive qualities of the Hammers, particularly away from the London stadium, as they have conceded five in each of their last two trips in all competitions.

Historically, West Ham have struggled at Arsenal, with their last win coming on the opening day of the season in 2015, but have won three of their six London derbies this season, including a 3-1 victory over The Gunners in the League Cup at home.

This is likely to be a tight affair between the two, but Arsenal to grab the victory and failing to keep out the Hammers looks a fair price at 9/5.

Check out our other Football Bets of the Day here.