Arsenal vs Brighton Prediction: Another Carabao Cup goal for Gomez

One of four all-Premier League ties in the Carabao Cup fourth round this week, Arsenal entertain Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday (19:45 BST, Sky Sports+).

Below are my Arsenal vs Brighton predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus (all knee) remain in the Arsenal treatment room, while William Saliba, Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli and Riccardo Calafiori all picked up knocks in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League and will be assessed closer to kick-off.

Football Odds

Jack Hinshelwood (foot), Solly March and Adam Webster (both knee) are sidelined for Brighton, who could also be without Kaoru Mitoma (ankle), Brajan Gruda (knee) and Joel Veltman (calf) again.

James Milner (muscle) is also likely to sit out the Seagulls' midweek trip to north London following an injury sustained in Saturday's 4-2 Premier League defeat at Manchester United.

Arsenal vs Brighton Odds

Arsenal have won their last seven games in all competitions, and Mikel Arteta's side are 4/9 to rack up an eighth-straight victory on Wednesday, implying a 69.2% probability of success. Brighton, meanwhile, are 6/1, or a 14.3% chance, to beat the Gunners for the first time since May 2023, when they won 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

The draw, which would send the tie to a penalty shootout, is priced at 18/5, with both teams to score, a winner in both Premier League meetings last season, available at 4/5.

Anytime Goalscorer - Diego Gomez (BHA) @ 5/1

I acknowledge that Brighton's previous two Carabao cup games this season were against EFL opponents, Championship club Oxford United and League 2 side Barnsley, whom the Seagulls both thrashed 6-0 away from home in the second and third rounds, respectively.

A trip to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in the fourth round represents a major step up from visits to the Kassam Stadium (Oxford United) and Oakwell (Barnsley), but regardless, five goals in two cup appearances is a sensational return from Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez, who hit his side's third against the U's in the second round and the first four against the Tykes in the third round.

The 22-year-old hasn't scored in any of his eight Premier League games this season, but he's only made four starts, and was withdrawn in the 36th minute of his latest one, the 2-1 victory over Newcastle United on October 18, due to injury.

Today's Football Fixtures

Arsenal have kept five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, but the Gunners are expected to rotate their starting XI on Wednesday, a move that may disrupt their rhythm at the back, and Brighton, who have scored in their last nine matches and at least twice in five of their last six, are primed to take advantage.

At 5/1, I just can't ignore the away side's Argentine to score anytime.

Draw No Bet - Brighton @ 4/1

This looks worth a nibble.

Having won 11 of their 13 games in all competitions this season, only dropping points in the Premier League to the last two champions, Liverpool (1-0) and Manchester City (1-1), Arsenal have been installed as big favourites to beat Brighton on Wednesday and advance to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

The Seagulls, meanwhile, have lost three times on their travels this term, including at Man United last weekend.

However, Fabian Hurzeler's side have also beaten Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in the last five weeks, and drew 1-1 with Arsenal in both league encounters last season.

The Gunners are expected to make wholesale changes to their starting XI on Wednesday, so we probably can't take recent results into too much consideration, as a completely different side could line up against Brighton. Plus, while Arsenal are on a terrific run of results, it should be noted that two of their last three victories have been by a one-goal margin, against clubs currently ranked 10th or lower in the Premier League table.

I'm not completely convinced by an away win, though, so rather than take 6/1 on a Brighton victory, I'm looking to the visitors in the Draw No Bet market at 4/1. This way, your stakes are returned should the tie finish level after regulation time.

Offers

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