Arsenal v Leeds United Tips: Back Lacazette to pick up a card at the Emirates
Leeds United are just three points behind Arsenal in the Premier League table going into Sunday’s game at the Emirates. The last time the Lilywhites won at Arsenal was back in 2003 thanks to an 89th minute winner from Mark Viduka in a 3-2 win at Highbury.
Three points for Marcelo Bielsa’s side on Sunday can be backed at 3/1, with a draw available at 11/4. Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in their last three home matches and are 5/6 to get the win with most firms
We’ve got three football tips from our man @AnthonyEadson for what should be an entertaining game that can be seen live on Sky Sports Main Event, kicking off at 4:30pm.
David Luiz and Bernd Leno should both return to the starting line-up for Arsenal having served suspensions. Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey are ruled out through injury while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may come back in at the expense of Nicholas Pepe. Leeds have no new injury concerns to report and could well name an unchanged side to the one that beat Crystal Palace on Monday.
Bukayo Saka & Patrick Bamford 1+ shot on target - 2.5pts @ 6/5 Paddy Power
Jack Harrison to be carded - 0.75pts @ 17/2 bet365
Jack Harrison 1+ shot on target, Lacazette & Dallas to be carded - 0.25pts @ 80/1
Leeds have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the league this season and I’m hopeful of an end-to-end encounter on Sunday. Two players I’ve followed regularly this season in the shots on target market this term make up the first selection, in both Patrick Bamford and Bukayo Saka. I’m backing the pair to hit the target once each on Sunday at the boosted price of 6/5 from Paddy Power.
No player has registered more shots on target in the division this campaign than Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford. The forward has 12 league goals to his name and has worked hard, often playing the full 90 minutes in the long striker position. With an impressive average of 1.55 shots on target per game, Bamford has been prolific for punters in the shot based markets and with the willingness to go forward that Leeds show, I can’t see him not having one against Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka is still just 19 years of age and looks to be maturing nicely under the guidance of Mikel Arteta. With eight shots on target in his last six games and a season average of 0.85 shots on target per game, Saka has also proved profitable in this market over recent weeks. For all Leeds’ plaudits about going forward this season, they have been questionable at the back with only West Brom and Palace conceding more goals. Arsenal should create plenty of chances and Saka can hopefully be at the forefront of.
Stuart Attwell takes charge of this game and he currently holds the best yellow cards shown per game average in the Premier League. With 4.38 cautions brandished on average I’m hopeful of a good few being shown on Sunday and I’m leaning towards Jack Harrison picking one up at the generous looking price of 17/2 with bet365.
Besides Stuart Attwell being the referee, a large part of my reasoning behind fancying Harrison to pick is that he will be up against Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. The 19-year-old has been fouled more times than any other Gunners player this term, drawing 2.1 fouls on average. Harrison has already been booked twice this season and with Attwell officiating and having to help track Bukayo Saka I think 17/2 looks too big.
Jack Harrison also features in my 80/1 longshot for the game in which I’m backing the Leeds midfielder to have a shot on target, with both Alexandre Lacazette and Stuart Dallas to be carded.
With six league goals and four assists to his name already, Jack Harrison is having a productive season in the final third. The 24-year-old has registered at least one shot on target in his last four league games and has got on the scoresheet in three of his last four. A player full of confidence I’m including Harrison to have a shot on target to kick off this longshot.
Alexandre Lacazette picked up an impressive eight yellow cards in 30 appearances in the league in 2019/2020. The Frenchman has been booked twice in the Premier League and also once in the Europa League this term and with Stuart Attwell the man in the middle I’m willing to have a small play on Lacazette considering the prices. A forward who is not afraid to tackle or to wind up his opponents, I’m surprised he’s not picked up more this season.
The final leg of this longshot is Stuart Dallas to find his way into the notebook. The Northern Irishman has four yellow cards to his name this season following on from seven in the Championship the season before. Lining up in midfield In central midfield as opposed to left-back should only bolster our chances of a card and I’ll be hoping it’s Stuart (Attwell) who does Dallas on Sunday.
I’m quietly confident of a good game between these two sides this weekend. Best of luck to anyone following the selections and please always gamble responsibly.
