Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal
A traditional meeting between two proud English footballing institutions this.
And how the tables have turned – for now at least – as Wolves prepare to host the Gunners six points ahead of them in the Premier League table with six points remaining.
Two years ago, Wolves had only just been promoted from the Championship!
That the Black Country boys continue to be in contention for a Champions League berth next season, while also being in the last 32 of the Europa League in a campaign they began nearly 12 months ago, is testament to the players and manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Life has not been as rosy for Arsenal who are on their third manager of 2019/20 (when you include a temporary appointment) and have again displayed their regular weaknesses and failings all too regularly.
Mikel Arteta, though, deserves time, something his full-time predecessor Unai Emery was not really given.
Talking Points
Arteta has already said he is preparing for three different squad-building scenarios depending on their final league position and has not ruled out having to wheel and deal more generally in order to recruit.
Creating some of their own Premier League highlights at Molineux would certainly earn him some brownie points, as well as keep alive Arsenal’s faint hopes of qualifying for next season’s Europa League.
Having lost their first two matches after the restart, the Gunners have now won their past three, have an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to, while Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is level on 19 goals with Leicester’s Jamie Vardy at the top of the Premier League scoring charts.
It’s certainly a quick turnaround following their 4-0 trouncing of bottom club Norwich in midweek.
That result highlighted their undoubted attacking strength, even if it took two opposition mistakes to make the breakthrough against the Canaries.
With key matches against Leicester, north London rivals Spurs and newly crowned champions Liverpool to come over the next week and a half – followed by that FA Cup semi-final – there is no question this fixture heralds the start of a week which could define their season.
Wolves go into this one after a week off but also entering a key period and knowing this kick starts a run of four games in just 12 days.
They will also hope to do better than the last time they hosted a north London giant when they went down to a last-gasp defeat.
For Wolves, whatever happens in the final month of the season, they can look back with pride at a second successive top flight campaign in which they have surpassed expectations.
For Arsenal, what happens next is arguably more pivotal.
History
Overall, Arsenal have the edge with 57 triumphs to 30 Wolves wins and a further 28 draws.
Yet since being promoted two seasons ago, Arsenal have yet to beat Wolves. Last season this contest saw the home side run out 3-1 winners with Ruben Neves, Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota all on target in a dominant first half before Sokratis Papastathopoulos added a consolation.
The reverse fixture at the Emirates finished 1-1 when a late Henrikh Mkhitaryan equaliser cancelled out Ivan Cavaleiro’s opener.
It was the same scoreline in north London earlier this term when Raul Jimenez earned Wolves a point after Aubameyang had opened the scoring.
This corresponding fixture last season was the first time in all competitions that Wolves had beaten Arsenal since 1979.
On that occasion, they won 3-2 at Highbury.
The very first meeting between the two clubs came in 1904 when Woolwich Arsenal won 2-0 – the scorers that September day were Tim Coleman and Charlie Satterthwaite.
Betting Tip
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Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Arsenal | Over 2.50 @ 2.13 |
| July 5, 00:30 (GMT+8) |
The SBOBET Premier League betting odds reflect this is expected to be a close contest.
Wolves will start as favourites and can be backed 1X2 @ 2.31 or Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.02.
Arsenal are a bit further out with odds available 1X2 @ 3.20 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.33. The draw @ 3.05 could be a popular bet.
If Wolves are going to repeat last season’s showing – correct score 3-1 – you could earn yourself a pay day of @ 22.00.
If you are expecting a re-run of the encounter earlier this season – correct score 1-1 – a more likely @ 5.40 is on offer.
For two sides whose attacking displays receive regular plaudits, then goals should be a given.
Total goal 2-3 is available @ 1.90, total goal 4-6 @ 4.10 and over 2.50 goals @ 2.09.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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