Arsenal vs Cardiff Predictions

Cardiff return to action for the first time since Emiliano Sala’s tragic disappearance when they visit the Emirates on Tuesday night. The Bluebirds are set to honour the forward ahead of the game. However, they need to put a difficult week behind them as they look to move out of the Premier League’s relegation zone. They were beaten 3-0 in a relegation six-pointer at Newcastle, and they’ve had a 10-day gap between that clash and their meeting with the Gunners.

Arsenal were eliminated from the FA Cup on Friday night, after a 3-1 defeat at home to Manchester United. They couldn’t match the resurgent Red Devils, despite managing a 2-0 victory over Chelsea the week before. That win over the Blues did leave them just three points shy of the top four, so Unai Emery’s men will be continuing their push for the Champions League spots in Tuesday’s clash. With a five-game winning run at home in the league, Arsenal should get back into form in this game.

Cardiff head here with one of the league’s worst away records. They’ve lost eight of their 11 matches on the road this term, picking up only five points in 11 matches. The Bluebirds have also struggled against the league’s best sides, losing to all of the current top seven. Their defeats to the top four sides have come by an aggregate score of 17-2, which suggests that this trip won’t be easy for the Welsh side.

The hosts have more than enough firepower to rack up a big victory here. Arsenal duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have each scored four Premier League goals against promoted sides this season – no player has scored more so far this term. They meet the league’s second-worst defence this week, while only Man City and Liverpool have outscored Arsenal in the Premier League so far, with the majority of their goals coming at the Emirates.

The Gunners have scored 2.17 goals per game at home this season, a number they should boost against the Bluebirds. Cardiff have scored just six times on the road this term, conceding a huge 21 times in 11 matches. Most of their defeats have been heavy, losing by two or more goals in 62% of their away defeats. Arsenal have won by a two-goal margin or greater in eight of their nine home wins, so we think there’s great value in backing the Gunners with a -1 handicap in this game.