Arsenal vs Bournemouth predictions and betting tips – Will Gunners go 12 points clear?

Arsenal got their season back on track in midweek, beating Sporting CP in the Champions League, but their two previous domestic matches did not go well. Mikel Arteta’s men need to bounce back this weekend.

Will Bournemouth throw a spanner in the works, or can Arsenal extend their lead at the summit of the standings as the Premier League returns?

• Arsenal to win and over 2.5 goals – evens with QuinnBet
• Both teams to score – 20/23 with 247Bet
• Viktor Gyokeres to score any time – 21/20 with bet365

Arsenal vs Bournemouth odds

Find the latest Arsenal vs Bournemouth betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Arsenal vs Bournemouth predictions

Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Sporting CP on Tuesday will not live long in the memory of anyone who witnessed it.

A dull encounter eventually produced a notable moment in first-half stoppage time, as Kai Havertz struck to give the Gunners a precious first-leg lead. They are now in pole position to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

It was a hugely important win, for more ways than one. Firstly, it gave Arsenal an aggregate advantage in that European tie. Secondly, it drew a line under two painful domestic defeats.

Just before the March international break, Arsenal lost 2-0 to Manchester City in the final of the EFL Cup. Just after it, they were beaten 2-1 by second-tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals. All of a sudden, two routes to silverware were closed off.

Had Arsenal suffered defeat by Sporting CP in midweek, it would have only compounded their woes. Their success in Lisbon means they have wiped the slate clean ahead of this weekend’s clash with Bournemouth.

Four weeks have passed since Arsenal were in action in the Premier League, but the situation at the top of the division has not changed.

Arteta’s charges still hold a nine-point lead over Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand. And next Sunday, Arsenal will go to the Etihad Stadium.

The gap between the two sides could still be nine points when that game kicks off. If results go Arsenal’s way on Saturday and Sunday, it would be 12. If City beat Chelsea and Arsenal lose to Bournemouth, it would be six. That makes this a potentially pivotal weekend in the title race.

The league leaders will not be at full strength when Bournemouth come to town. Ebere Eze, Bukayo Saka, Piero Hincapie and Jurrien Timber were already out, along with long-term absentee Mikel Merino. 

Since the Sporting CP game, that quintet have been joined on the treatment table by Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard.

That is less than ideal. Arsenal may have the deepest squad in the league, but many of their absentees are key players. Others will have to step up this weekend and potentially against Manchester City on April 19.

Bournemouth arrive in north London on an 11-game unbeaten streak, so this will be another test of Arsenal’s title credentials.

Arsenal vs Bournemouth betting tips

Saturday’s Premier League action begins at the Emirates Stadium, where Bournemouth are this weekend’s visitors.

Arsenal to edge it

Arsenal won ugly in midweek, as they have been doing for much of 2026. They will probably have to grind a victory out again on Saturday.

That does not mean this will be an uneventful affair. Bournemouth are a good watch and they will not simply sit back and hope for the best.

This is unlikely to be a comfortable, convincing home win, though. We do expect Arsenal to get over the line, but it will probably by a narrow margin against a team that has not lost since the Gunners beat them 3-2 on January 3.

If Bournemouth score, as they have done 22 times against the traditional big six this season, Arsenal would need two goals to triumph.

Back Arsenal to win and over 2.5 goals at evens with QuinnBet

Bournemouth to find net

Bournemouth seem to enjoy playing against the bigger teams in the division.

Their counter-pressing style is better suited to opponents who will take the ball and play out from the back. 

Arsenal fit that category, which is one of the reasons why Bournemouth scored twice against them at the Vitality Stadium.

The Gunners have not been as defensively assured as usual in recent weeks. Bournemouth, the division’s joint-fifth highest scorers on the road, are primed to take advantage.

Choose both teams to score at 20/23 with 247Bet

Arsenal need Gyokeres

With Saka, Trossard, Eze and Odegaard all missing, Arsenal will need the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres to step up.

The jury remains out on Gyokeres, who has not proved to be the world-class striker Arsenal were hoping for.

He still chips in with goals, though, and Arsenal fans will hope his confidence is high after Gyokeres scored four times for Sweden in the recent international break.

Gyokeres also found the target against Southampton last weekend, and he is our pick to find the net in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Choose Viktor Gyokeres to score any time at 21/20 with bet365

Arsenal vs Bournemouth predicted lineups

• Arsenal expected lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Havertz, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
• Bournemouth expected lineup: Petrovic; Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Christie, Scott; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson.

Where to watch Arsenal vs Bournemouth

• Location: Emirates Stadium, London, England.
• Date and time: Saturday 11th January, 12.30pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 1.

More Premier League predictions

We have plenty more Premier League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.