Jamie Griffiths picks out his best bets for Wednesday night's Group B clash at the Emirates, with the hosts tipped to take all three points.
Sevilla have won just one of their last eight matches while Arsenal have lost their last two, so both sides are desperate for a result but the Gunners, who won the reverse fixture 2-1, should be confident of taking the points.
The visitors have taken just two points from their three group games so far and are in desperate need of a win, with the potential of being six points behind second-placed Lens a real possibility should they suffer defeat in London.
Arsenal v Sevilla tips
Arsenal to win and both teams to score @ 9/5
Gabriel Martinelli to take 2+ shots on target @ 13/8
Arsenal to win 2-1 @ 17/2
Group B glory on the cards for the Gunners
Arsenal come into this game following defeats to West Ham in the League Cup and a loss to Newcastle on Saturday which has seen them slip to fourth in the Premier League.
However, they still top their Champions League group and they will be far more confident for this match knowing they are at home, having avoided defeat in their last eight competitive games at the Emirates.
Their last two results at home saw them beat treble winners Manchester City 1-0 before thrashing Sheffield United 5-0, so they will be full of confidence in front of their own fans, especially in knowing Sevilla’s only away victory this season came over sixth-tier side Quintanar in the Copa Del Rey.
The visitors should have enough to find the net on Wednesday though, having scored in all of their group games as well as netting eight times in their last four road games.
Sevilla may score in London, but the points should go the way of Arsenal who will be one step closer to qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
Magic Martinelli may hurt Sevilla
A large contingent of Arsenal’s attacking players have been misfiring of late, with Kai Havertz failing to impress since his arrival and Eddie Nketiah’s recent hat-trick glossing over his general poor performances up front.
Usual goal sources Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard are set to miss out, which means Mikel Arteta could turn to Gabriel Martinelli to provide the Gunners with some firepower.
The Brazilian left-winger scored in the reverse fixture and could feature heavily again once more up against ageing full-back Jesus Navas.
Due to Nketiah’s struggles, Arteta may draft in Leandro Trossard to lead the line on Wednesday, which would benefit Martinelli greatly as the Belgian tends to drift to his natural left-wing position, meaning the Brazilian may find himself central more often than not, which could lead to plenty of shots at goal.
Repeat of the reverse?
Arsenal were 2-1 winners in Andalucia last month, and a similarly tight affair could unfold in London on Wednesday.
The hosts should win this, but may struggle to blow their visitors away without the services of their Champions League top-scorer Jesus and key midfielder Odegaard, meaning two goals may be their limit once more.
Sevilla had 57% of the possession in that meeting, but will be unlikely to be able to control the game at the Emirates, which could work to their benefit as Arsenal were proven to be vulnerable on the counter against West Ham last week, so Diego Alonso’s side should be able to nick another goal against the Gunners.
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