Tag: Arsenal

Premier League Preview Aug 16th – 18th

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The English Premier League returns on Saturday with seven matches including the first competitive game in charge for Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. They play Swansea in the lunchtime kick-off at Old Trafford and their pre-season form suggests that they are unlikely to slip up.

The two teams met in the opening game last season with United inflicting a 4-1 defeat on the Swans, although the Welsh side gained their revenge with a shock FA Cup victory. Manchester United have never lost on the opening day of the EPL at Old Trafford and I don’t think they are in much danger here.

QPR gained promotion via the play-offs last season and they face Hull in one of the 3 o’clock kick-offs. Harry Redknapp has a new sidekick in the form of former England boss Glenn Hoddle but has done little to improve his playing staff. He couldn’t even use his family influence to persuade Frank Lampard to join him. This could be another uphill struggle for QPR and Hull may just be good enough to take all three points. Rangers have only managed one point from six opening weekend matches in the Premier League.

Arguably the pick of the afternoon games is the London derby between West Ham and Tottenham. Sam Allardyce will never be everyone’s cup of tea but he managed to grind out a route to survival last season and will already have calculated a points target for this season. The Hammers inflicted three defeats on Spurs last season but they finished the season poorly with five defeats in six games. Spurs have a new boss in former Saints man Mauricio Pochettino who appears to have unlocked the talent of Erik Lamela in pre-season. This is a tight game to predict but Spurs have a more talented squad.

A second London derby at 5.30 has taken on a new slant with the shock departure of Tony Pulis from Crystal Palace. Their trip to Arsenal suddenly looks very daunting, especially with the Gunners still celebrating their 3-0 Community Shield win over champions Manchester City. This looks like one-way traffic and a comfortable home win.

Another team facing a difficult start to the season is Southampton. How ironic that they should face Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday having just sold half of their squad to the Merseyside giants! Liverpool have been very busy in the transfer market spending their Suarez money while Southampton have morphed into an up-market ebay! This looks like another home banker.

Newcastle United had another turbulent season under Alan Pardew and they welcome the champions. City were poor against Arsenal last weekend but they were missing several key players and will surely put that display behind them. City have won their last four games against the Magpies without conceding a goal and something similar could be on the cards on Sunday.

Chelsea will be the last of the big teams out of the blocks when they play Burnley on Monday. Jose Mourinho seems very smug after his successful summer signings and Diego Costa seems to have slotted in well. This is the sort of fixture that cost the Blues the title last season but I will be very surprised if they don’t start off in style.

Tips

Man United to beat Swansea 3-0 @10-1 BetVictor

Hull to beat QPR @11-5 BetVictor

Spurs to beat West Ham @11-10 Paddy Power

Arsenal to beat Crystal Palace 3-0 @7-1 Ladbrokes

Liverpool to beat Southampton 4-0 @18-1 BetVictor

Man City to beat Newcastle 2-0 @9-1 BetVictor

Chelsea to beat Burnley 4-0 @21-1 BetVictor

Premiership 2014/15 Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The leading Premiership sides are busily concluding their summer transfers but Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho believes that his work is already completed.

The signature of Brazilian International Felipe Luis alongside that of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas has given the Blues a significantly stronger squad than last season as they bid to improve on their third place.

Mourinho had always insisted that last season was very much part of a learning curve for his young side but there was a deep-rooted feeling of disappointment among the fans as they ended the season without a trophy. The Blues had completed a double over Manchester City and Liverpool yet somehow contrived to drop points against inferior opposition over the closing weeks.

The progress of sweeping out the old guard is all but complete with Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard both departing in the summer. John Terry did enough to convince Mourinho that he had another season left in him at the top flight while Petr Cech is fighting to keep his number one spot.

Champions Man City have added Fernando to their squad but will be largely unchanged while Arsenal’s signing of Alexis Sanchez has done little to convince punters that a title bid is on the cards. The arrival of Van Gaal at Manchester United comes with the promise of further signings after Luke Shaw’s capture from Southampton. United were so far off the pace last season that they will have to pull something out of the hat if they are to challenge this year.

Liverpool fans must have mixed feelings about the departure of Luis Suarez. It was he and Sturridge that carried the Reds to the brink of the Premiership title last season but his World Cup antics were swiftly followed by a move to Barcelona. Southampton old boys Lallana and Lambert will not be sending any shockwaves through Stamford Bridge or the Etihad Stadium.

It is difficult to see the likes of Everton and Tottenham managing to muscle in on the act, although they will have their usual moments of optimism in a long season.

The bookmakers have probably got it about right with Mourinho’s Chelsea just rated favourites ahead of Man City. The best price is just shy of 2-1 at the moment with City at 9-4 and Man United at 5-1. There are already markets up for top goalscorer, relegation and the next manager to leave their post.

Chelsea to win Premiership @15-8 Bet365

Premiership Preview 19th May

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The final day of the Premiership does not have the title or relegation drama of 12 months ago but that was always going to be a tough act to follow. In truth, Manchester United were given an easy ride to the title as their main rivals dropped tamely away. Manchester City failed to build on last season’s title success and were strangely inactive in the summer transfer market. The signing of Van Persie was sufficient to make the difference between the two teams whilst the London clubs battled it out for minor honours.

It is the battle for Champions League places that remains the only significant issue to be decided on Sunday. Tottenham will miss out again if Arsenal take all three points at Newcastle, regardless of Chelsea’s result at home to Everton. Spurs must defeat Sunderland to keep their hopes alive and rely on results elsewhere allowing them to sneak into the top four.

Chelsea v Everton

This game will have a distinct end-of-season feel about it after Chelsea virtually guaranteed their Champions League spot last weekend at Aston Villa. The question has been raised this week of a possible third-place playoff between Chelsea and Arsenal should they finish level on points, goal difference and goals scored. This scenario can only come about if Chelsea draw 0-0 and Arsenal win 2-1. Whether this will be enough to spur the Blues on to one last effort this season is another matter. Several of their players looked dead on their feet on Wednesday night as they won the Europa League with a last-gasp header from Ivanovic.

Everton meanwhile are saying farewell to David Moyes after eleven years at the helm. He was given an emotional send off by the Goodison fans last week in their 2-0 victory over West Ham and the teams look evenly matched. Rafael Benitez will also be packing his bags shortly but will surely send out a re-shuffled side for this finale. I can see Everton upsetting Chelsea’s victory parade by grabbing at least a point and a 1-1 draw might be the way to go. Kevin Mirallas looks overpriced at 11-1 to open the scoring after his two against the Hammers last week.

1-1 draw 8-1 Bet Victor

Kevin Mirallas first goalscorer 11-1 Bet365

Newcastle v Arsenal

Arsenal wavered slightly against Wigan in midweek before producing a second-half blitz to send the Latics down to the Championship after eight seasons in the top flight. Arsene Wenger will be calling on them to produce a similar effort against a Newcastle side that must be breathing a collective sigh of relief now that their Premiership status is secure. The Magpies have put in some desperate displays this season, none more so than their 6-0 drubbing at the hands of a moderate Liverpool side. Anything like that on Sunday will result in another embarrassing defeat but Alan Pardew faces an uphill task rallying his troops for this match. I can only see one winner here and it might be worth taking a risk on the 100-30 about the Gunners winning by three or more goals with Skybet. Theo Walcott is in flying form and 11-2 represents fair value in the first goalscorer market.

Arsenal to win by 3 or more goals 100-30 Skybet

Theo Walcott to score first 11-2 Coral

Tottenham v Sunderland

Tottenham were denied a place in the Champions League by Chelsea’s win in the competition last May and now look poised to miss out, possibly only on goal difference to their London rivals. They are only in contention thanks to Gareth Bale who has dug them out of many a hole this season. There is speculation that he may leave White Hart Lane if he does not get Champions League football next season but it is difficult to see them achieving that. Even so, it is worth taking the 11-4 about Bale scoring first here. Tottenham will have one eye on the Arsenal match and if that starts to go against them it is possible that their heads may drop. With the exception of their mauling at Villa Park, Sunderland have shown a lot more fight since Paolo Di Canio arrived and they could poach a point here.

Draw 19-4 Bet Victor

Gareth Bale to score first 11-4 Ladbrokes

Premiership Preview May 4th

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Norwich v Aston Villa 3.00pm

Aston Villa’s 6-1 mauling of Sunderland on Monday night has put them on the brink of Premiership survival. Christian Benteke’s hat-trick confirmed his status as one of the hottest properties in the league and questions are already being asked as to whether or not Villa can afford to keep him this summer. After such an emphatic victory, their supporters will need reminding that it was only three points and there is still work to be done.

Norwich are not yet safe themselves are not an easy side to beat at Carrow Road. They have only been beaten three times at home this season and conceded only 18 goals so Villa cannot expect to simply roll over them. A draw would probably suit both sides and that could be the value bet on Saturday.

Draw 12-5 William Hill

Tottenham v Southampton (3.00pm)

Spurs were lucky to escape with a point at Wigan last weekend, courtesy of an own goal and a complete gift to Gareth Bale via some ridiculous defending. Bale was on his way back from injury in that game and should strip a lot fitter for the visit of former club Southampton. The Saints put up their worst performance for some time in slumping to a 3-0 home defeat by West Brom and look ideal opponents for Spurs as they chase a Champions League spot. With Chelsea at Manchester United this weekend and then playing host to Tottenham, that qualifying places are still very much up for grabs. I don’t expect Tottenham to let this opportunity slip and they are worth including in doubles and trebles at odds of 1-2. I also expect goals and Bet365 offer 11-8 against more than three.

Tottenham 1-2 Ladbrokes
More than 3 goals 11-8 Bet365

West Brom v Wigan (3.00pm)

We are so used to Wigan producing a Houdini-like escape that it is slightly surprising to see them still languishing in the bottom three. The 6-1 win for Villa on Monday has really piled the pressure on the Latics to start producing the goods and it is now or never for Martinez’s men. West Brom comfortably beat Southampton last week with Romelu Lukaku looking particularly sharp up front. Arguably they do not have that much to play for whereas Wigan will be scrapping for their lives. I think West Brom have enough fire power to force Wigan to settle for a point here, a result that will see them edge closer to the drop.

Draw 12-5 Ladbrokes

QPR v Arsenal (5.30pm)

With QPR now relegated, this looks like a nailed on three-points for the Gunners as they chase down a Champions League spot. Rangers looked a broken side as they struggled to a draw with Reading last week and it will be difficult for Redknapp to gather his troops for the visit of Arsenal. Although they are not well placed with Chelsea or Spurs, those two teams meet on Wednesday and Chelsea have a much stiffer run in. A convincing win for Arsene Wenger’s men could see them in pole position by Sunday night.

Arsenal 4-9 Ladbrokes
More than 3 goals 6-4 Bet365

Premier League 20th & 21st April Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Saturday

Fulham v Arsenal

Arsenal will be expected to come away with three points here after the Cottagers were comprehensively beaten 3-0 at home by Chelsea in midweek. However, their record at Craven Cottage is not that great with only one victory in their last four visits. They were not at their best when held to a goalless draw by Everton but are still enjoying a fine run of form that has seen them suffer only one defeat in eleven matches.

Arsenal to win 4-5 Paddy Power

QPR v Stoke

QPR are on the very brink of relegation and Stoke have slipped into the relegation fight with an appalling run since the New Year. The injury-time equaliser by Wigan last week summed up QPR’s season and left them hopelessly adrift. The players have been on the receiving end of some heavy criticism from their manager in recent weeks and it is surely only a matter of time before they are consigned to the Championship. Stoke, on the other hand, have time to respond to their perilous situation and could take all three points.

Stoke to win 13-5 Bet Victor

Sunderland v Everton

Everton held Arsenal a draw to keep alive their slender Champions League hopes but nothing less than a win will do here. Unfortunately for them, they meet a Sunderland side that produced their best victory of the season at Newcastle last week under new boss Paolo Di Canio. The Stadium of Light will be electric for his first home game in charge and this looks like being a very tight affair. With so much at stake for both sides, the draw looks the safest option.

Draw 12-5 Bet365

West Ham v Wigan

Much has been made of the return to form of Andy Carroll in recent days but he has flattered to deceive before. West Ham will not have things all their own way against a Wigan side buoyed by reaching the FA Cup final for the first time in their history. Coach Roberto Martinez has repeatedly stressed that Premiership survival is their priority and they gave Manchester City plenty to worry about in midweek before losing to a single goal. Wigan are the masters at escaping the drop and I can see them coming away with all three points on Saturday.

Wigan to win 9-4 Paddy Power

Sunday

Tottenham v Manchester City

Tottenham have suffered another late season mini-collapse and they have looked a moderate side without Gareth Bale. Their talisman winger could return on Sunday but he seems to be carrying an awful lot of responsibility and City can move within touching distance of securing second spot if they win this weekend. Spurs desperately need a win to put the pressure on Chelsea and Arsenal in the battle for Champions League places. The last four meetings between the sides have gone City’s way and they could extend that run here.

Manchester City to win 7-5 Bet365

Liverpool v Chelsea

Chelsea look destined to finish the season without a trophy but they still have their eyes firmly on a top four finish and they have every reason to give this game their maximum attention. They were too slow out of the blocks when losing 2-1 to City in the Cup last week but had no problem in seeing off Fulham on Wednesday. Liverpool rely heavily on Suarez but remain frustrating and the Blues could take a giant step towards a return to Champions League football with a win on Sunday.

Chelsea to win 13-5 William Hill