Arsenal vs Leeds United
Arsenal and Leeds United are set to collide at the Emirates Stadium with a spot in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on the line.
The two clubs are on opposite sides of the Premier League form table at the moment. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last seven in all competitions (five wins, two draws) and have climbed back up to the top half of the standings.
Meanwhile, Leeds are still languishing near the relegation zone and are struggling to pick up points. The Whites continue to deal with a host of injury concerns, which is a big factor why the EFL Cup 2021 betting odds have the Gunners as the favourites to go through.
Talking Points
Arsenal in the middle of impressive unbeaten run
After a rough start to the season, Mikel Arteta appears to have steadied the ship at Arsenal. His Gunners are in the midst of a seven-match unbeaten run, which they extended after an impressive 3-1 home win over Aston Villa on Friday.
Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued his rich vein of form with another goal, his fourth in his last six games.
Emile Smith Rowe also produced another excellent performance. He had a goal and an assist, the second time he’s had such a game in his last four outings.
Arsenal have treated this season’s EFL Cup quite seriously. They’ve opted to play many of their senior players in the first two rounds against West Brom and AFC Wimbledon, which have resulted in a 9-0 aggregate scoreline.
Aubameyang made a host of EFL Cup 2021 highlights as he scored a hat-trick against West Brom while Alexandre Lacazette has two goals in the competition.
Look for Arteta to do the same and field a fairly strong side against Leeds to keep their impressive run of results going.
Young Nuno Tavares has started both cup games thus far, and the 21-year-old left-back looks almost certain to keep his place after an impressive performance against Aston Villa with Kieran Tierney out injured.
Martin Odegaard and Nicolas Pepe are also contenders to return to the side with Arteta usually rotating his attackers on a game-to-game basis.
Struggling Leeds still missing key pieces
It has been a rough first quarter of the season for Leeds United. The Whites are currently one place above the relegation zone with seven points and just one win through nine games.
They followed up their maiden win against Watford with a 1-0 defeat to previously winless Southampton and a 1-1 draw against Wolves, where they needed a stoppage-time penalty from Spanish striker Rodrigo to get a point.
Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa is still dealing with a significant injury crisis which has left him without many of his star players. Top striker Patrick Bamford has been out for over a month due to an ankle injury. Meanwhile, key midfielder Kalvin Phillips as well as defenders Junior Firpo, Robin Koch and Luke Ayling are still missing.
All five are not expected to return in time for their match against Arsenal, which will leave Bielsa with very few options in his squad.
With a very winnable game against Norwich coming up this upcoming weekend, there is a possibility that Bielsa will opt to rest the likes of Raphinha, who has also been dealing with his own injury knocks, and other key starters, for the midweek cup tie.
History
It has been a while since Leeds tasted victory against Arsenal. The Whites’ last win over the Gunners came in 2003. They’ve met nine times since, five of which coming in the FA Cup. Leeds forced a replay in 2011 by drawing at Arsenal, but the Gunners have won the other four times.
And last season, Leeds again held Arsenal to a goalless draw at Elland Road before losing 4-2 at the Emirates. Aubameyang starred in that as he scored a hat-trick.
Betting Tip
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Arsenal vs Leeds United | Over 2.50 @ 1.85 |
| October 27, 02:45 (GMT+8) |
SBOTOP odds have Arsenal at 1.71 to beat a banged-up Leeds, who are priced at 4.40 to pull off an upset at the Emirates.
It will certainly be an uphill battle for the Whites to go away from home and steal a win against an in-form Arsenal side that will be keen to keep their unbeaten run going.
But at the very least, the Whites will likely continue to play their aggressive style against Arsenal, which should lead to a high-scoring affair.
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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