Arsenal strengthened their push for a top four finish on Monday thanks to a 2-0 win over Newcastle United and they are looking to do so again on Sunday.
But the Gunners have the tough task of facing Everton on the road. If there is one thing that could stop Arsenal from making the top four this season, it is their away form and the Everton clash is a huge test.
Arsenal’s away form is what had pundits following the win over Newcastle predicting the club to still miss out on the top four, while it’s also the key reason behind a similar prediction by sports analysts at Football Web Pages.
That indifferent away form, which has seen Arsenal lose five games away from the Emirates this season, has also led to three prominent pundits all predicting different outcomes at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Paul Merson, Mark Lawrenson and Michael Owen have all predicted the game for Sky Sports, BBC and BetVictor respectively and come up with differing conclusions.
Merson, a former Arsenal legend, was naturally the only one to pick the Gunners. He has them to win 3-1 and explains why.
Merson told Sky Sports: “Everton rinsed West Ham last week and if it wasn't for Lukasz Fabianski I don't know what the score would have been.
“But don't forget how bad Everton were in the first half against Chelsea in the game before. If they play anything like that, I think Arsenal will blow them away as they are very good going forward. Arsenal have also got a bit tighter at the back and I think they will get a massive win here.”
But Lawrenson went completely the other way with his prediction and has Everton to beat Arsenal 2-1, with the former Liverpool defender insisting that the Gunners’ poor away form will continue.
“Arsenal’s home form is outstanding which is why they are in the Champions League places, but they are not great on the road - their away record is only the 10th best in the top flight,” Lawrenson explained in his BBC column.
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“This is a big test for the Gunners. Everton have done well of late and they have got the bit between their teeth at the moment.
“In the second half of their last home game - a 2-0 win over Chelsea - they looked wired in to what they needed to do.
“The Toffees fans will demand the same again and, if the players can produce a repeat performance, I think they will win.”
Meanwhile, Owen is predicting a 1-1 draw in his BetVictor betting column.
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Now you’ve seen what the pundits are predicting, you can try your hand at our new Footie5 game with the Pools!
Next round of Footie 5 fixtures on April 6: Bournemouth vs Burnley, Huddersfield Town vs Leicester, Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace, Birmingham vs Leeds United, Preston vs Sheffield United.
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