Arsenal vs Brighton: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Both teams are looking to continue perfect starts to the Premier League season, however we are backing the favourites Arsenal to win this game at home. They have been stellar at the Emirates, winning nine of the last 10 league fixtures they have played there.

In this fixture against Brighton, the Gunners have been successful offensively, recording the first goal in four of the last five meetings. They have also won three of the last four meetings, with Brighton scoring in two of these games. As a result, we expect the over 2.5 market to hit in this one, as it has landed in five of the last six – Arsenal 3-1 Brighton

Arsenal welcome Brighton to the Emirates, with both sides looking to continue their perfect starts to the season in the Premier League.

Date: 31/08/24

Kick-off time: 12:30

Venue: Emirates Stadium

After two seasons of finishing runners-up to Man City in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are looking to make it a third time lucky and finally lift the trophy for the first time since 2004. So far, they have won both of their games, including a statement victory last time out at Aston Villa, a fixture which they lost twice last season.

Last season, they scored 91 goals, sharing them around nicely with three players recording 12 or more strikes. Bukayo Saka led the way with 16, whilst Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard followed with 13 and 12 respectively. All three have already opened their accounts for this campaign as they look set for another big season.

Visiting the Emirates is an impressive Brighton side who have also won both of their first two games. There was a lot of scepticism on how the Seagulls would fare this season under new manager Fabian Hurzeler, who is just 31 years old, but they have made a perfect start to the season with victories against Everton and Manchester United. They are looking to make it three in a row, but face perhaps the trickiest test in the league in an away trip to Arsenal.

As well as a new man in the dugout, there are plenty of new faces in the squad as Brighton have made a number of reinforcements. After making Europe the season before last, they finished 11th in the previous campaign, a position they should be confident in improving this time. Amongst the new recruits is Georginio Rutter from Leeds and Yankuba Minteh from Newcastle, with more reportedly on the way. However, it is the familiar faces who have made an offensive impact so far, with the likes of Danny Welbeck, Kaoru Mitoma and Joao Pedro finding the back of the net.

The number of options they have could cause problems for the Arsenal backline, though they will have their work cut out for them. No team allowed fewer than the Gunners’ 29 goals last year, and their back four is once again anchored by the brilliance of William Saliba. Despite allowing some big chances at Villa, they have yet to concede a goal this year, and they will be confident in continuing that trend.

Since 2020, Arsenal and Brighton have faced off nine times in the Premier League. The Seagulls have won three games to Arsenal’s five, and will be hoping to avoid a third defeat in a row this weekend. Their last victory against the Gunners came in May 2023, when they won 3-0 at the Emirates. Julio Enciso, Deniz Undav and Pervis Estupinan were the goalscorers that day. Last season, Arsenal did the double over their opponents, scoring five and conceding zero. At home, they were 2-0 winners with Gabriel Jesus and Havertz on the scoresheet. The reverse fixture finished 3-0 thanks to goals from Saka, Havertz and Trossard.

Arsenal vs Brighton will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1.

Arsenal

Gabriel Jesus was not in the squad for last week’s game against Aston Villa due to a groin issue, so will be a doubt for this weekend. Jurrien Timber made his first start following his lengthy injury, whilst Takehiro Tomiyasu remains out.

Brighton

Brighton should have no fresh injury concerns with a number of players possibly set for a return in their midweek EFL Cup fixture. The likes of Pervis Estupinan and Evan Ferguson could feature, which would put them in contention for this weekend. Solly March is the only long-term absentee with a knee injury.

Arsenal:

In their last five games, Arsenal have won four and lost one. It was a positive pre-season for the Gunners, and their campaign got off to the perfect start with a 2-0 victory over Wolves at home. They will be looking to finally win the Premier League title, and goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka ensured they picked up three points in their opener.

A tricky trip to Aston Villa followed, but they passed the test with a 2-0 win. Ollie Watkins missed some huge chances in either half, but Arsenal took theirs thanks to substitute Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey.

Their final three pre-season games resulted in two wins and one loss. The first of this stretch was against Liverpool in which they lost 2-1. Mo Salah and Fabio Carvalho gave their opponents a two-goal lead, before Havertz halved the deficit. They returned home to face Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon in two more friendlies. Arsenal beat Leverkusen 4-1, thanks to strikes from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Trossard, Jesus and Havertz. Centre-back pairing William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were the scorers in a 2-0 win over Lyon.

Brighton:

In their last five games, Brighton have been perfect, winning all five. It was a dominant end to pre-season for Brighton, form which continued in the first game of the season. It was a perfect start for the Seagulls as they beat Everton 3-0 away from home. Kaoru Mitoma put them ahead after 25 minutes, before Danny Welbeck doubled their advantage shortly into the second half. Ashley Young was sent off for the hosts, and Brighton added a third through Simon Adingra.

They followed this with a stunning late 2-1 win at home to Man United. Welbeck put them ahead against his former side from close range, though Amad Diallo netted an equaliser. United thought they took the lead but were denied by an offside on the line, before Joao Pedro took advantage of some dreadful marking to net the winner in the 95th minute.

Pre-season ended with three straight wins, the first of which being a 4-2 victory over Japanese side Tokyo Verdy. They then faced Championship team QPR, winning 1-0. Their final friendly was a 4-0 win over Villarreal. Welbeck netted a brace, whilst Joao Pedro and Yankuba Minteh were also on the scoresheet.

• Latest match predictions
• Football tips
• Football accumulator tips
• Football bet of the day