Live on Skysports 2: Sat 12.30: Back in the title hunt, Arsenal are 4/6 with Betdaq to claim top spot, at least temporarily, by beating rivals Spurs.
Draws for Manchester pair, City and United and a well deserved home defeat for Chelsea at the hands of Sunderland meant Arsenal were the big winners in the title race last weekend, their hard-fought three point haul at Everton seeming all the more valuable in light of the results of the sides around them.
The Gunners were subsequently the significant movers in the title betting, coming in from 7/1 to 4/1 with William Hill to land their first Premiership crown since 2004 but they face a stern test of their championship mettle this weekend as they welcome local rivals Tottenham to the Emirates Stadium.
Nevertheless, Arsene Wenger’s troops are odds-on favourites at 4/6 with Betdaq and as long as they don’t perform as they did in their last home match, the shock reverse against Newcastle, Arsenal are the most likely victors.
Tottenham are 888Sport’s 9/2 outsiders and although they undoubtedly have the quality to run the Gunners close, their leaky defence can ultimately be their undoing. Harry Redknapp’s charges haven’t kept a clean sheet since the season’s opening day and could concede at least twice in this one (4/7, bet365) but they have the ability to strike at the other end too, so Totesport’s 4/6 for both team s to find the net is worth considering.
Ladbrokes’ 8/1 for the hosts to edge it 2-1 catches the eye then and a victory for Wenger’s men by a one-goal margin at 13/5 with Partybets is a less specific alternative. Betfred meanwhile, mark 8/13 against a match total of three or more goals and Gunners schemer Samir Nasri is 23/10 (Paddy Power) to contribute to that tally at some stage.
Chelsea were so poor at the back against Sunderland that they have been friendless in the market all week and even out significantly from the opening price of 8/13 they possess no appeal whatsoever at 4/5 with Stan James as they head to Birmingham. The one positive for Carlo Ancelotti is that his defence, so easily opened up on Sunday, will come up against one of the league’s least prolific attacks and as City’s six home games have produced just eleven goals, Stan James’ 10/11 for this contest to yield fewer than 2.5 could be the best bet at St Andrews.
Manchester United remain unbeaten yet they appear vulnerable on an almost weekly basis and Betfred’s 1/4 looks too small as they face Wigan at Old Trafford, where William Hill’s 14/5 for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men to shade it by one is about as good as it gets. Neighbours City meanwhile, may have to settle for a point (23/10, Totesport) at Fulham and it’s 8/1 with Ladbrokesto finish goalless at Craven Cottage.
Possessing similar draw potential are Bolton’s clash with Newcastle and Aston Villa’s visit to Blackburn, those two fixtures available at 11/4 and 23/10 with and Coral respectively to finish all square and Monday’s game between Sunderland and Everton, is also 23/10 (Totesport) to end in stalemate.
Elsewhere, Liverpool are a home banker at 8/15 (Ladbrokes) against struggling West Ham, despite drifting following the announcement of Steven Gerrard’s absence, Blackpool are a tasty 8/5 courtesy of Betfred to see off Wolves and price West Brom at 5/4 to send Stoke home from the Hawthorns empty-handed.
Recommended Bets:
Under 2.5 goals in Birmingham v Chelsea – 10/11 (Stan James)
Fulham and Manchester City to draw – 23/10 (Totesport)
Arsenal to beat Spurs by one goal – 13/5 (Partybets)
