Preston vs Arsenal: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Arsenal come into this one as heavy favourites, and we expect them to advance with a comfortable win. They have a spectacular away record in 2024 across their domestic fixtures, with just one defeat in the calendar year. However, this did come in their most recent away game at Bournemouth.

Preston could provide a challenge for the Gunners, who will likely rotate against lesser opposition. The hosts have a formidable home record over the last five games, having remained unbeaten. Their record reads two wins from five and three draws, though. Arsenal have won the first half of their fixtures in five of their last seven games and won five of their last eight fixtures away from home, stretching back to last season – Preston 0-2 Arsenal

Preston welcome Arsenal to Deepdale in the Round of 16 of the EFL Cup, looking to cause an upset against the Premier League title contenders.

Date: 30/10/24

Kick-off time: 19:45

Venue: Deepdale

It has been a difficult campaign for Preston so far, but they have enjoyed an extended cup run which has earned them a home tie against Arsenal. They reached this stage with a pair of comfortable wins over Sunderland and Harrogate Town in the first two rounds, before beating top-flight Fulham on penalties in the third. In the Championship, they are in 17th place, though are unbeaten in their last five games. Should they advance, it will be the deepest League Cup run in their history.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have enjoyed a strong start to the season, though recent results have seen them fall behind in the title race. They lost their unbeaten streak with a defeat to Bournemouth, before dropping further points to Liverpool at the weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side were 5-1 winners against Bolton to set up this tie.

The visitors have not reached the final of this competition since 2018, and have not won since 1993. A victory would keep them amongst the favourites to lift the trophy this year. They should be confident in progressing against lower-league opposition. In all competitions this season, the Gunners have scored 25 goals, but they come up against a defence in confidence, keeping three clean sheets in their last five.

If Preston are to threaten a strong Arsenal backline, they will lean on Emil Riis Jakobsen who has been leading the line. He netted six times last season and has scored a pair this campaign. Arsenal have several threats that can cause damage, though this game presents an opportunity for other players to get minutes. Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri scored a brace in the previous round and will look to impress once more.

These two teams have not faced off since 2017 in the FA Cup. Arsenal won 2-1 away from home to advance. This was the first meeting between the pair since 1999 when they played in the League Cup. Overall, Arsenal have won the last three games, scoring eight goals.

Preston vs Arsenal will be available to watch on Sky Sports+.

Preston

Milutin Osmajic remains out as he continues to serve an eight-match ban. Preston should have no new injury concerns, though manager Paul Heckingbottom could name a changed side for the cup tie.

Arsenal

Arsenal have a number of injury doubts, though Mikel Arteta is likely to rotate his side regardless. Martin Odegaard is still out injured, but Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber returned at the weekend. Gabriel was substituted with injury so may sit out. Arteta could give some minutes to youngsters such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Preston:

In their last five games, Preston have won two and drawn three. It had been a tough start to the season for Preston, but an upturn in recent form has allowed them to move up in the table. This run started with a dominant 3-0 win over playoff chasing Watford. Milutin Osmajic scored a second half brace, before Ali McCann added a third to put the game to bed.

A tough trip to promotion candidates Burnley followed, but they held their hosts to a goalless draw. They restricted Burnley to just one shot on target, though managed just two themselves, however it was a positive point. They returned to winning ways with a 1-0 over Coventry. Emil Riis Jakobsen netted the winner with less than 20 minutes to go.

Norwich were the next visitors to Deepdale, coming away with a 2-2 draw. Sam Greenwood and Duane Holmes gave the home side a two-goal lead after 12 minutes, but the Canaries fought back to salvage a point. Their most recent game was a fixture at Plymouth. The final result was 3-3, though Preston squandered a 3-0 lead. Greenwood, Mads Frokjaer-Jensen and Brad Potts put them in a commanding position, but the hosts fought back in the second half, including a 92nd minute equaliser.

Arsenal:

In their last five games, Arsenal have won three, drawn one and lost one. The Gunners had enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season until their recent league game against Bournemouth. They lost 2-0 away from home with goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert. William Saliba had earlier been sent off. This preceded a European home tie against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. They were narrow 1-0 winners with an own goal providing the decisive moment.

Last time out, they faced Liverpool in a huge clash at the top of the table. The Gunners had a couple of key absences, but they still managed to come away with a 2-2 draw. They took the lead twice through Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino, but were pegged back on both occasions.

This run started with a return to Champions League action and they picked up their first win against PSG. They won 2-0 with goals from Kai Havertz and Saka. Before the international break Arsenal won 3-1 against Southampton. The Saints took a shock lead, but a quick response from Havertz levelled the score. Gabriel Martinelli and Saka secured the three points.

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