Arsenal vs Brentford Prediction: Can Thiago keep on scoring?

Premier League leaders Arsenal will look to extend their five-point lead in midweek, as they host Brentford (19:30 GMT, Sky Sports Main Event). The Gunners drew with Chelsea last time out while the Bees beat Burnley 3-1 on home soil to break into the top half of the table. 

Below you can find my Arsenal vs Brentford predictions featuring team news and more.

Team News

Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard hasn’t started a game in two months after injuring his knee at the start of October, but that could change here after he came off the bench against Chelsea. 

In defence, Mikel Arteta is without Gabriel (thigh) and William Saliba also missed the weekend draw, with Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié deputising at the weekend, with Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber at full-back. 

“He [Saliba] had a little niggle, but I think it is going to be a matter of days,” said Arteta at his Tuesday morning pres conference. “So, let’s see if he is able to do that tomorrow.”

Brentford boss Keith Andrews could switch to a five-at-the-back once again at the Emirates, but should have the same players available to him after a successful weekend win. Kristoffer Ajer or Ethan Pinnock could come into the defence as a result, with Mikkel Damsgaard potentially set to be sacrified in a bid for more solidity.

On-loan wide man Reiss Nelson cannot face his parent club but Igor Thiago will lead the line again after his brace against Burnley.

Arsenal vs Brentford Odds

Arsenal are the obvious favourites to win this game, priced at 4/11 to take all three points. That gives them an implied win probability of 73%, while an away win is 17/2 and a draw is 4/1.

BTTS is 11/10, over 2.5 goals is 8/11 and Viktor Gyokeres is the favourite to score first at 7/2.

Arsenal to win and BTTS @ 21/10 

Arsenal are incredible right now, and it will come as no surprise to anybody that I am backing the league leaders to win this game of football. Their form at the Emirates has been superb (five wins, one draw in the PL) and they have also beaten Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid at home in Europe this term. 

However, they’ve conceded goals in their last four outings, and they could be without their best two centre-backs in the form of Gabriel and Saliba, so I think Brentford will find a goal, probably through Thiago who has 11 goals in 13 games this term. Talking of which…

Igor Thiago to score anytime @ 11/4

I don’t care who he is playing, I believe Thiago can score anytime against most teams he plays this season. He’s been a revelation for Brentford this term, scoring a ridiculous 11 goals in 13 games this season, including five in his last three outings in the Premier League. 

He will fancy his chances of roughing up this Arsenal defence, even though there is obviously still quality in the back four. The Gunners are conceding goals right now, and Thiago can’t stop scoring them - so it seems like we are getting massive value on the Brentford man to strike again.

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