Arsenal v Bournemouth Betting Tips [4 May 2024]

The stakes are high for league leaders Arsenal as they enter the final three matches of their Premier League campaign. The first of those is a home game against 10th placed Bournemouth. The Gunners return to the Emirates Stadium right after their massive 3-2 win over North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. While they occupy the driving seat, Arsenal’s title charge isn’t in their hands. Second-placed Manchester City are a point behind them and with a game in hand. Mikel Arteta’s side has bounced back well from setbacks against Aston Villa and Bayern Munich and the Spaniard will need this resilience here. Their game against Spurs almost turned sour as a second half comeback slashed their lead from 3-0 to 3-2. The best news for Arsenal coming here, apart from their home form, is the expectation to welcome Jurrien Timber back. We don’t expect the Dutch international to start but his inclusion should provide a comfortable cushion for a side with just two losses in 17 home league games.

A 4-0 loss to Arsenal in their last meeting stretched Bournemouth’s winless run in this fixture to eight games. The last time they visited the Emirates, Bournemouth almost caused an upset, leading 2-0 after 57 minutes but ended up 3-2 losers. On four straight losses against Arsenal, they will have the underdogs’ feel coming to this game. Fortunately, at 48 points, the Cherries’ Premier League status is preserved and the pressure will be reduced here. Bournemouth still have a say on who wins the league title and have it in them to cause a major upset here. Straight wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton reignited their ambitions for a top-half finish. In their most recent outing, Bournemouth trounced Brighton 3-0 for a second win in five games. Two wins only in eight league matches away from home, however, don’t point to a very confident side on the road. It won’t help that they are facing a side that has dominated them in recent years. Furthermore, Bournemouth have conceded two or more in five of their last eight away matches.

Arsenal are playing at home, where they rarely lose, and face a side they haven't lost to in eight straight games. Bournemouth last won this fixture in 2018, and are on four straight defeats to Arsenal coming here. The visitors also failed to score in half of their last six meetings with Arsenal, who have eight clean sheets in 12 league games. Arsenal will have more incentive here, and it suits them that they are favorites. Our prediction for Arsenal v Bournemouth is for Arsenal to win with a clean sheet.