Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Odds & Preview: Premier League Round 10
- With one win in five Premier League matches, Arsenal are in dire need of a win when they host Wolves on Sunday
- Wolves are just one point ahead of the Gunners
- Get the latest odds, betting analysis and a pick below
Round 10 of the 2020-21 Premier League season has some great matches. One of the headline fixtures is Arsenal and Wolves’ Sunday clash, two teams separated by a lone point in mid-table, who hold ambitions of a top six finish. This might not have title implications like other matches this weekend, but it has the potential to be a turning point in the respective seasons of the two teams.
Since Wolves returned to the Premier League, the matches have been closely fought. It’s been two draws and a victory apiece, with Arsenal winning the most recent meeting in July of this year. Another tight match is to be expected on Sunday, though the latest odds make Arsenal comfortable favorites.
The table below has the odds, correct at the time of writing, for Arsenal vs Wolves.
Arsenal vs Wolves Odds
| Matchup | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal vs Wolves | ARS -0.5 (+106) | WOL +0.5 (-127) | ARS +106 | WOL +285 | DRAW +230 | Ov 2.5 (+130) | Un 2.5 (-157) |
All odds taken Nov 27 at DraftKings
No Creativity
Arsenal and Wolves have scored nine each in their opening nine Premier League matches. Teams with fewer goals so far: West Brom, Burnley, Sheffield United.
This isn’t a freak of poor finishing, either. Chance creation has been a real problem for both teams. They sit in the bottom six of the league in expected goals, with Wolves third from bottom. Again, Burnley and West Brom are the only sides who have created lower quality chances than Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. Arsenal’s 10.01 figure is slightly more respectable, but it still puts them just above Newcastle.
Arsenal vs Molde
Joe Willock 🅰️🅰️
Reiss Nelson ⚽️
Folarin Balogun ⚽️
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Arsenal has scored one Premier League goal in their last five matches. Wolves have scored once in their last three away from Molineux.
These are two teams who require counter-attacking opportunities to create chances. Arsenal has been lulled into slow, nothingness possession too often, but they still rank 11th in the league in average possession, just ahead of Wolves in 13th. This has the makings of a stalemate.
Average Defenses
The stale attacks are not balanced by steely defenses. Each team has conceded ten so far, good for joint-second best in the league, but their expected numbers tell a different story. They have both ridden their luck on the defensive end – the chances given up make them middle-of-the-pack defensive teams.
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— Wolves (@Wolves) November 25, 2020
Both teams sit off defensively, ranking in the bottom seven teams in the league in pressures. Wolves have pressured the ball the fewest times of all Premier League teams in the attacking third. Arsenal are also towards the bottom in that category. Given they both average around 50% possession, these stats aren’t drastically skewed by the amount of ball they have.
When they give it up, there’s no rush to force the opponent into a mistake. They are happy to settle into their shape and wait for a chance to attack in transition.
Arsenal vs Wolves Premier League Stats
| 12th | Position | 9th |
| 9 | Goals scored | 9 |
| 50.5% | Average possession | 48.8% |
| 11 yellows, 1 red | Cards | 9 yellows, 0 red |
| 9.1 | Shots per match | 12.4 |
| 56% | Shots inside the area | 52% |
| 11.64 | Understat expected points | 10.20 |
Canceling Each Other Out
Wolves are 15th in penalty area touches this season. Arsenal are 16th. Counter-attacking sides will have fewer touches in the box than possession-heavy teams, but those numbers are a concern. These are two teams who set up primarily to halt their opponent.
What happens when neither side wants the ball? This match could head towards a pass-fest, but not of the artistry of peak Spain or Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. Both of these teams can look lost when the onus is on them to pick apart a defense. Neither are perfect defensively, but they are good enough to stick in their shape and make it difficult for their opponent.
Troy Deeney criticises Mikel Arteta’s treatment of Mesut Özil: “It’s a shame. I said last week, that he’s one of the best players I’ve played against. I think he’s very good and I think Aubameyang would thrive off someone like that slipping balls in. He sees passes others can’t.” pic.twitter.com/Hww06Ltav6
— MÖS (@MesutOzilStats) November 26, 2020
Even before this match has kicked off, it falls into ‘needs a goal’ territory. Two teams restrained by caution need the impetus of a match to chase to make this an entertaining clash.
The draw looks a really good bet at +230, though ‘Under’ 2.5 should get a lot of backing as the safer option.
Pick: Draw (+230)
Sam Cox is a freelance writer and sports junkie, who has spent the past several years immersed in the online gaming industry. He has worked with 888sport, Oddschecker, and Colossus Bets to name a few. Based in the UK, Sam also runs Franchise Sports with his brother.
