Prediction: Leeds vs Arsenal

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who are desperately seeking a bounce this weekend, Leeds will welcome Arsenal to an empty Elland Road on Sunday afternoon.

Leeds

Starting with the hosts, while Leeds might have really burst onto the scene after ending their Premier League exile over the summer, the Whites find themselves in the midst of a real sticky patch. Freefalling down the table after their bright start, Marcelo Bielsa’s men were last seen earlier in the month getting hit with thumping back-to-back 4-1 defeats against Crystal Palace and Leicester. While the in-form Patrick Bamford might have been able to extend on his individual purple patch after bagging a consolation strike at Selhurst Park, the former Napoli boss has seen his side record just a single Premier League clean sheet this season. In fact, Leeds have conceded 17 goals in their first eight Premier League games this season. They last conceded more at this stage of a top-flight season in 1946-47. It should also be noted, Bielsa’s side have managed to collect just a single point from their last three contests at Elland Road.

Team News

Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips is available again following a month out with a shoulder problem.

Rodrigo could also feature after recovering from Covid-19 but Pablo Hernandez, Jamie Shackleton and Diego Llorente are unavailable.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, although Arsenal might have managed to lift both the Community Shield and FA Cup at Wembley over the summer, the Gunners could still be reeling from what was a woeful showing heading into the international break. Hit with their worst home defeat since November 2019, Mikel Arteta’s squad were hit with a 3-0 hammering at home against Aston Villa and some have even started to question the Spaniard’s position in the Emirates’ dugout. Marking their return to action with their goal difference keeping them outside the top-half of the table, Sunday’s guests have now managed to collect just three points from their last four Premier League contests. Drawing another blank against Villa last time out, the Gunners have also shown a host of issues in the final third. Remarkably, Arsenal have failed to record a single goal from open play in any of their last four top-flight contests on the bounce.

Team News

Arsenal will be without Sead Kolasinac and Mohamed Elneny after their positive coronavirus tests on international duty.

Thomas Partey is unavailable because of a thigh injury.

Key Factors to Consider

• Arsenal have won each of their last three meetings against Sunday’s hosts.
• Leeds were last seen earlier in the month getting hit with back-to-back 4-1 defeats against Crystal Palace and Leicester.
• Arsenal have managed to collect just three points from their last four Premier League contests.
• Three of Leeds’ home fixtures this season has seen both teams find the net.
• Patrick Bamford has already recorded seven Premier League goals this season.

Conclusion

On paper, we could be in for a lively contest at Elland Road when the Premier League returns. Along with Leeds entering the international break with thumping back-to-back 4-1 defeats against Crystal Palace and Leicester, the Gunners also come under real scrutiny for their own woeful display in the capital. Blown away at the Emirates and hit with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, Sunday’s guests have managed to win just one of their last four top-flight contests and they also mark their return sat outside the top-10. In a matchup between two sides showing a host of issues at the back, we’re backing over 2.5 goals on Sunday.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet