Burnley v Arsenal preview

Burnley v Arsenal preview: In-form Gunners seek eighth successive Premier League win

Arsenal will go in search of an eighth successive Premier League victory when they travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley in the Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1 from 4.45pm.

Last weekend's emphatic 4-1 defeat of Liverpool moved Arsene Wenger's high-fliers up to second and victory at second-bottom Burnley will close the gap on leaders Chelsea to four points, the day before Jose Mourinho's side travel across London to face Queens Park Rangers.

The Gunners have built impressive momentum since the New Year's Day loss at Southampton, winning 15 of 17 games in all competitions.

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• Burnley v Arsenal

• April 11, 2015 4:45pm
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That has allowed them to overhaul Manchester United and Manchester City and all but guarantee their place in next season's Champions League.

The Clarets are now second from bottom with just seven matches to go, although they collected a much-needed point against Tottenham last time out and are just two points behind fourth-bottom Hull.

Team News

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is focussing on narrowing the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea with seven games to go

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny (groin) and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (rib) face fitness tests ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League match at Burnley.

Midfielders Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby are all back in contention following injury lay-offs, as is France defender Mathieu Debuchy. England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) continues his rehabilitation.

Burnley midfielder Matt Taylor could make his return from a seven-and-a-half month Achilles injury lay-off against Arsenal on Saturday.

Midfielder Dean Marney and defender Kevin Long (both cruciate ligament) remain on the long-term absentee list.

However, winger Ross Wallace (knee) and right-back Steven Reid (calf) could return for the Barclays Premier League contest.

Opta facts

Burnley have let in 10 goals in their last four matches against Arsenal in all competitions (average of 2.5 per game).

Arsenal have won each of their last seven Premier League games, the best current run in the division. No side has won eight in a row at any point this season.

Arsenal have exactly the same record after 31 games as they did last season (W19 D6 L6).

Santi Cazorla should make his 100th Premier League appearance in this game, while Aaron Ramsey could clock up 150.

There have been fewer goals in the final 15 minutes at Turf Moor this season (3) than any other Premier League ground.

Danny Ings has scored (9) or assisted (4) half of Burnley’s 26 goals this season.

Olivier Giroud has scored 10 goals in his last 10 matches for Arsenal in all competitions.

Merson’s prediction

Sean Dyche says Burnley will be up for the challenge of beating the sides around them in the Premier League

Away win. Arsenal don’t lose these games. The sun will be shining. It’s always the same. Arsenal win their last 10 games of the season and then next year is their year – although it won’t be. They do it every year.

They were great against Liverpool and scored four worldies. When they get it going they are as good as anyone. I can’t see Arsenal slipping up like Manchester City did at Burnley – they are a different animal.

Arsenal are quicker on the break and are ruthless in these games. I do think Burnley have a win or two in them somewhere, so I wouldn’t write them off in the relegation fight just yet.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (Sky Bet Odds 11/1)

Betting

Arsenal are Sky Bet's odds-on favourites at 8/15 to maintain their once seemingly unlikely title push with a victory, having come in from as long at 200/1 to 22/1 to win the Premier League ahead of the weekend. Burnley are 5/1 to cause an upset and 16/5 to hold another north London outfit to a draw at Turf Moor, although another 0-0 is deemed unlikely at 12/1. The Clarets remain odds-on for relegation despite last weekend’s creditable result but are deemed the most likely of the bottom three to survive at6/5. Olivier Giroud heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2, closely followed by Alexis Sanchez at 4/1, with Danny Ings rated the Clarets’ main threat at 8/1 to net first.