Arsenal vs Bolton Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips: Back Raheem Sterling in first Gunners start

Arsenal get their Carabao Cup campaign underway at home to League One Bolton tonight (7.45pm).

Surprisingly, the Gunners have only lifted the League Cup twice, and not since 1992/93, while Bolton were two-time finalists in 1994/95 and 2003/04.

Below, we have pieced together two Bet Builders for tonight's clash, including a 9/2 fancy featuring Raheem Sterling who will make his first start for the Gunners.

As mentioned in the intro, Arsenal don't appear to be massive fans of the League Cup and we can expect a much-changed side from the one that drew 2-2 at Man City last weekend. The Gunners have had taxing trips to Tottenham, Atalanta, and City in the space of just eight days, so Mikel Arteta has decided to make a whole host of changes; giving Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling the opportunity to shine from the off here against Bolton.

It won't come as a huge shock to learn that Arsenal are the huge 1/8 favourites, so there's far more appeal in backing a win and over 3.5 goals in the match at 9/10 with Midnite.

Bolton have had an indifferent start to the season. They've claimed cup wins over Mansfield, Shrewsbury, and Barrow, but last year's beaten League One play-off finalists have already been defeated three times in six league games this season, including a 4-0 loss at home to Huddersfield, which leaves Ian Evatt's men 19th in the table.

With the pressure starting to build, the Trotters responded with a 5-2 win at home to Reading last weekend, but could be in store for a long night in the capital. There have been 16 goals in their last three matches in all competitions and I'm expecting this trend to continue at the Emirates tonight, with the hosts coming out as comfortable winners.

Arsenal have been ahead at the interval in three of their five league matches so far, including in both home games, and have been priced up at 2/5 to take a lead into the break against Bolton.

Arsenal have, surprisingly, failed to score more than two goals in a game so far this season. However, they have had a difficult set of fixture to negotiate, having already faced the likes of Aston Villa, Brighton, Tottenham, Atalanta, and Man City; and scored twice in the first-half away to Pep Guardiola's defending champions before the sending off changed the nature of the contest.

Wednesday's match at home to Bolton, who have shipped 12 goals in their last six games, should give Arteta's troops the chance to sparkle from an attacking perspective, with over 2.5 home goals added to the mix.

Four of Arsenal's five Premier League matches this season have had 10+ total corners and, with the Gunners expected to dominate, we're likely to see a fair share of corners tonight, with over 9.5 total match corners looking a smart play at 3/4.

Finally, I'm backing new signing Raheem Sterling to score in his first start for the Gunners, and first appearance for his new side at the Emirates. He'll be looking to make an impact and has the ideal opportunity to do so against a wobbly Bolton backline.

This takes our Bet Builder to 9/2 with Midnite, who are offering new customers £30 Free Bets & 50 Free Spins when you sign up today.

Arsenal vs Bolton Team News

Arsenal Starting XI:
Porter; Nichols, Kiwior, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Sterling

Bolton Starting XI:
Southood, Dacres-Cogley, Forino, Almeida Santos, Toal, Williams, Sheehan, Dempsey, Arfield, MaAtee, Collins

Arsenal vs Bolton Head-To-Head

It's been 12 years since the clubs last met back in 2012, a game which ended goalless. Arsenal won the two meetings prior to that and in total have 58 wins to Bolton's 39 in this fixture, with the other 36 drawn.