Brentford vs Arsenal Prediction, Odds and Lineups: Two tips for New Year's Day Premier League clash

New Year's Day gets underway with a bang as Brentford welcome Arsenal to the Gtech Community Stadium this evening, live on TNT Sports 1 at 5.30pm.

Matthew O’Regan has previewed the duel and provided his best bets.

The hosts come into this amidst an injury crisis. An already injury-stricken team was damaged again when goalkeeper Mark Flekken and back-up centre back Ben Mee were subbed with injuries in the 0-0 draw with Brighton, taking the Bees injury crisis to 11. It also means that The Bees have one fir senior back, so Ji-Soo Kim may have to make his first start in the back three alongside Nathan Collins and midfielder Vitaly Janelt.

Despite the injuries, Brentford have had a solid start to the season, sitting in 12th place, although they could drop down to 13th, should Manchester United defeat Newcastle at Old Trafford on the 30th.

Arsenal come into this game with only four injuries, although the absence of right-side Ben White and Bukayo Saka is a big blow. Whilst the 1-0 win over Ipswich was dominant, The Gunners had some nervy moments in a 1-0 win and Mikael Arteta will want a performance akin to the 1-5 win over Crystal Palace when they travel to West London on Wednesday.

Arsenal’s mini-injury crisis has meant that Mikael Arteta has had to turn to his youth squad to field a team and Miles Lewis-Skelly has grasped the opportunity with both hands. Predominately a centre midfield in the youth set-up, Lewis Skelly has shone at left back in his cup cameos, as well as his three Premier League starts.

The 18-year-old was trusted with the full 90 in the 1-0 win over Ipswich, claiming the man of the match award in an assured performance. The Hale End graduate is already a firm fan favourite and is staking a claim to be a main stay in the Arsenal defence.

Although it is a small sample size, Lewis-Skelly tops the Arsenal charts for fouls won per 90 (3.03). The youngster exudes confidence and is never afraid to take his opposition on. That has seen him win 3,2,2 fouls over his three starts. If he is rewarded with a full 90 yet again, expect the Brentford right-hand flank to rack up some fouls against the talented teen.

While Arsenal’s 16 goals conceded is the fewest in the Premier League, The Gunners tend to leak more goals away from home, with ten of these 16 coming on the travels. After back-to-back clean sheets away from home to start the season, Arteta’s side have now conceded in their last seven league road games.

While Brentford are injury stricken and come into this game in a poor vein of form, The Bees will be confident of getting on the score sheet. Thomas Frank’s side have scored in all bar home game, with these matches averaging 4.66 goals. Brentford have scored the most home goals in the league (26) but conceded the sixth most home goals.

While Arsenal should take the three points back to The Emirates, Brentford will fancy extending Arsenal’s clean-sheetless away run to eight games.

Brentford vs Arsenal Lineups

Mark Flekken has been passed fit and starts in goal for Brentford after he was forced off in the week. Ben Mee also starts for the hosts.

Bukayo Saka is out for Arsenal. There is a first Premier League start for Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino is also in the Gunners' first-11

The full starting lineups for Brentford vs Arsenal are displayed in the graphic below.