CAN Arsenal bounce back after their shambolic defeat against Monaco on Wednesday night? Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) takes a look at the betting on this match.
Arsenal v Everton | Sunday 14:05 | BT Sport 1
I'll be honest, I'm still I'm in a bit of a daze after Arsenal's shocking defeat to Monaco on Wednesday night. I'm not a supporter of the club, but the gravitas of that loss cannot be underestimated.
After an annual (fruitless) joust with the continents elite in the Champions League Last 16, this year they were handed a very winnable tie against Monaco. Incredibly, they've lost the first leg 3-1. It's not over of course, but there's a mountain to climb.
It's a little ironic that after such a woeful domestic season, Everton are excelling in Europe. Home and away victories over trendy Wolfsburg in the Europa League group stages saw them clinch their section, and the Young Boys of Berne were their latest victims in the last 16.
It must be tempting for manager Roberto Martinez to put out a press release saying, “Fuck the league, we're concentrating on Europe”. But after just six wins from their 26 league matches this season, they're simply not in a position to do that.
In fact Everton are just six points off the relegation zone, and things could get worse before they get better on Sunday. As I've espoused in previous articles, Arsenal have a habit of getting straight back up off the canvas after a bad defeat and I'm pretty sure they'll do that here.
Just one league defeat at the Emirates in 18 months tells you how strong they are, and it's a venue where Everton have struggled. In fact the Merseyside haven't won there in nine attempts.
They haven't beaten Arsenal away in the league in 20 games, losing sixteen and drawing four since their last North London win in January 1996.
Their evident post-Europa League slump and Arsenal's ability to get back on the horse quickly means a (fairly) straight-forward Arsenal win for me.
I'm a bit more outlandish in some of my other bets on Sunday's games so I'll play it cool here and back them -1 on the Asian Handicap at 21/20 with Bet365. As you'll be aware, I'll get my cash back if they win by exactly one goal.
Best Bets
Arsenal v Everton – Arsenal -1 Asian Handicap (21/20 Bet365)
7/1 Arsenal & Chelsea Double
Fancy these sides to win on Sunday? Coral are offering new customers 7/1 on the double. The actual price is around 6/4, so that's a massive price boost!
