There’s no better way to start the New Year than with a Premier League clash that sees Brentford hosting Arsenal.

All Arsenal wanted for Christmas was for runaway leaders Liverpool to drop some points, but with Arne Slot’s men comfortably beating both Leicester and West Ham, the Gunners will be hoping for three points in this London derby to close the gap to six points. Brentford has only won once since the start of December, so they may be the perfect opponent against whom they can do just that.

Our top tipster, Oli Nixon, has dived into the markets to find four value picks for his Bet Builder.

Two of Oli’s selections also take advantage of Paddy’s Super Sub offer, so we can be safe in the knowledge that the picks will carry over to any replacements should they be replaced.

Brentford v Arsenal Bet Builder tips

Myles Lewis-Skelley to be fouled 1+ times
Kai Havertz to attempt 30+ passes
Brentford Goalkeeper to make 4+ saves
Gabriel Magalhaes to have 1+ shots on target

WHEN: Wednesday, 1st January, 5:30pm
WHERE: The Gtech Stadium, Brentford
TV: TNT Sports

Myles Lewis-Skelley to be fouled 1+ times

Since emerging from the youth team, Myles Lewis-Skelley has earned plenty of plaudits, with Declan Rice saying this week he expects the left-back to go right to the top of the game. The tricky full-back has drawn plenty of attention from opposition wingers, being fouled 3.03 times per 90 across all competitions. That includes having been fouled in each of his five appearances since coming into the side.

Brentford aren’t the best side to back for fouls with only Man City making fewer, however, Lewis-Skelley will be up against Mads Roerslev who has committed 0.73 fouls per 90 this season. He’s also recently returned from injury and may be a little rusty having made three fouls in his last three appearances.

Kai Havertz to attempt at least 30+ passes

Mikel Arteta has been forced to shuffle his pack recently, with Bukayo Saka out injured and Gabriel Jesus returning to form in front of the goal. That has seen German utility man Kai Havertz dropped back into midfield where he’s seeing lots more of the ball. Havertz only averages 25 passes per game this season; however, in his last two games in a deeper role, he’s made 56 per 90.

Brentford are not a side that dominate the ball, and in six Premier League meetings with Arsenal, their highest possession share has been just 36%. Havertz has only started one of those games and played up front, but he still covered this line with 31 passes, so he should comfortably manage it from midfield.

Brentford Goalkeeper to make 4+ saves

Brentford face more shots on target than any other Premier League side, their opponents averaging a massive 6.5 per game. Their goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, has made 4.94 saves per game this season, making four or more in four of his last five games. Against the big boys, this number only increases with him making five against Man City, six against Liverpool, Spurs, and Chelsea, and nine against Man United.

Arsenal average 4.72 shots on target per game themselves and have forced 3.33 saves per game in the Premier League. Opposition goalkeepers against The Gunners have made at least four saves in three of their last five games, and with how open Brentford are, we can expect Flekken to be added to the list.

Gabriel Magalhaes to have 1+ shots on target

With Arteta taking the Tony Pulis approach of targeting set pieces, it makes sense to get with their main target from restarts for a shot on target.

Arsenal have scored more set-play goals than any other Premier League side, and Gabriel has played a key role in this, contributing three already this season. The Brazilian has averaged 0.33 shots on target per 90 this season, which is very healthy for a centre-back and is the target for first contact from all set plays.

Brentford have actually conceded just one set-piece goal all season. However, they’re allowing plenty of chances from them. In their last 10 matches, opposition centre-backs have been afforded 13 efforts at goal, and in those games, The Bees have given up 4.16xg from set pieces. More goals from such situations are coming; you can bet that Arteta is aware of it.

Brentford v Arsenal betting tips

Myles Lewis-Skelley to be fouled 1+ times
Kai Havertz to attempt 30+ passes
Brentford Goalkeeper to make 4+ saves
Gabriel Magalhaes to have 1+ shots on target

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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