Tag: Arsenal

Arsenal and Dortmund to grind out draw

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The Champions League group stages are coming to their conclusion and Arsenal can book their place in the knockout phase by taking a point from their clash with Borussia Dortmund.

The Germans need only a point from their two remaining fixtures to guarantee finishing top of the group. The theory is that the group winners will meet slightly easier opposition in the next round but everyone knows that there are no easy games in the Champions League.

What should be a clash of English and German title contenders is actually a long way short of that with both teams struggling domestically. Arsenal have lost their last two Premier League games against Chelsea and Manchester United and are already fifteen points adrift of the leaders. Realistically, the Gunners are already resigned to chasing a top four spot and ensuring Champions League football next season.

The loss of Jack Wilshere through injury is a blow to the team who had the majority of the possession against United but created very little. Ironically it was French International Olivier Giroud who brought the game to life but he is not eligible for Wednesday night’s game at the Emirates. He was expected to be out until the new year so Wenger left him out of his 25-strong squad for the qualifying group stages.

Arsenal do still have plenty of attacking options with the in-form Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck leading the attack. Both players have shown flashes of brilliance in the Champions League this season and will need to do so again if they are to unlock the German defence.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been quite superb in this tournament, scoring 13 goals and conceding just one on the way to maximum points. Their domestic form does not even come close to that with only 11 points from 12 games. Like Arsenal, they also suffered an injury set-back at the weekend with the loss of Marco Reus until the new year.

The reverse fixture resulted in a comfortable 2-0 win for Dortmund with Arsenal performing well below par. Apart from a brilliant 4-1 win over Galatasaray, Arsenal have been at their best so far this season. They looked set to dish out a thrashing to Anderlecht when racing into a 3-0 lead only to let it slip in the final thirty minutes.

Arsenal can still win the group but neither side would be too disappointed with a draw here and that looks the safest bet. The odds against a 0-0 draw also look too tempting to refuse.

Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund DRAW @13-5 BetVictor

Arsenal 0 Dortmund 0 @15-1 BetVictor

Premier League Preview Nov 22nd to 24th

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The Premier League returns on Saturday after the International break with Chelsea four points clear at the top.

Bookmaker Paddy Power has already paid out on the Blues winning the title and you can actually back them at better odds to win on Saturday than to win the league. Their next opponents are West Brom who have given Chelsea a few problems in recent matches. The Blues have only beaten them once in their last five meetings.

Of course, there are differences with this Chelsea team. Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas were declared unfit for Spain’s International fixtures but are both fit to start on Saturday. It would be no surprise to see Costa on the score sheet yet again.

Manchester City were probably glad of the International break after a poor run of form in League and Cup. Sergio Aguero has kept City in touch at the top of the table but they cannot afford to let the gap get any bigger. They already trail Chelsea by eight points and will be tested by the visit of Swansea. The Welsh side have made a very impressive start to the season and could draw level with City if they were to pull off a shock win. The bet here is for City to edge it by a single goal.

Newcastle have turned their season around with five straight wins. Full credit for Alan Pardew who has been under intense pressure from the media this season. They face QPR who have also shown signs of a revival under Harry Redknapp. A win over Aston Villa followed gallant efforts against Liverpool and Manchester United. Newcastle can extend their winning run with the advantage of home support.

The big game on Saturday is the tea-time kick-off between Arsenal and Man United. The Gunners will be sweating on late fitness tests for Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck but they should be fit to start. Welbeck would be dismayed if he were to miss a clash against his former club but Sanchez is the man with the golden touch lately. He can again be Arsenal’s match winner against a United side that continues to have defensive problems.

Liverpool and Spurs both have tricky looking fixtures at Crystal Palace and Hull respectively. You just don’t know what you will get from either side at the moment so I am going to swerve both matches. Finally, the Saints should go marching on at Villa Park on Monday night. Villa were desperately poor against QPR while Southampton seem to have plenty of attacking options.

Diego Costa to score and Chelsea win @10-11 Ladbrokes

Sergio Aguero to score and Man City win @11-10 BetFred

Man City to win by one goal @11-4 Bet365

Alexis Sanchez to score and Arsenal to win @11-4 Paddy Power

Newcastle to beat QPR @5-6 Bet365

Southampton to beat Aston Villa @4-5 William Hill

Premier League Preview Nov 8th – 9th

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It’s been said many times before but the top sides are often vulnerable on the weekend immediately after playing in Europe.

Two of those sides clash in the match of the weekend when Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield in Saturday’s early kick-off. Brendan Rodgers courted controversy by dropping/resting three of his star players for the Champions League match at Real Madrid in midweek. His players saved him to a certain extent by ONLY losing 1-0, although many Liverpool supporters were understandably disappointed.

Jose Mourinho started with Oscar and Costa on the bench in Maribor but sent them out for the second half in a game that produced quite a gripping second period. The coach has been critical of some of his fringe players in recent weeks and famously fielded a supposedly weakened side at Anfield last season. They went on to win 2-0 in a game that effectively handed the title back to Manchester City. I thought Willian played very well against Maribor until substituted and he could be worth a bet at 16-1 to be MOTM.

The rest of the weekend action is a bit tame in comparison with opportunities for Man United (v Crystal Palace) and Man City (v QPR) to bounce back from their respective disappointments. City look the more suspect after their disastrous defeat at home to CSKA Moscow with two players sent off. Even if Chelsea stumble at Anfield, it is no foregone conclusion that City will close the gap.

In fact, it could be Southampton that benefit as they are at home to struggling Leicester. Ronald Koeman is no fool and he knows that it is vital to accumulate as many points as possible while this rich vein of form continues. Pelle will give Leicester plenty of problems and he could be worth noting in the goal scorer markets.

Diafra Sakho’s back in action for West Ham after missing last week’s 2-2 draw at Stoke. He will again be a popular choice in the scorer markets but why change a winning formula? Aston Villa slumped to a sixth straight defeat against Spurs and this looks like three points for the Hammers.

Arsenal looked to be in cruise control against Anderlecht but somehow allowed a 3-0 lead to disappear. Arsene Wenger must surely have read the riot act after that second half collapse and they now face a tough game at Swansea on Sunday.

A red card in the match Liverpool v Chelsea @2-1 Skybet

Willian to be man of the match @16-1 Paddy Power

Graziano Pelle to score and Southampton to win @17-10 Paddy Power

Diafra Sakho to score and West Ham to win @11-4 BWin

West Ham to beat Aston Villa @8-11 Bet365

QPR (+2 handicap) v Man City @8-11 Ladbrokes

Swansea (+1 handicap) v Arsenal @4-5 Ladbrokes

Premier League Preview Nov 1st – 3rd

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Betcirca followers made a small profit last week from our Premier League bets but it could have been so much better! Eden Hazard looked certain to score when clean through on goal against Manchester United but uncharacteristically fired straight at the keeper. The Belgian magician had tormented Maribor’s defence earlier in the week and he is worth another chance to find the killer touch against QPR on Saturday.

Chelsea fielded some of their lesser lights at Shrewsbury in the Capital One Cup but Jose Mourinho was not impressed by their scrappy 2-1 win. I expect a nearly full-strength side to line up against Harry Redknapp’s side and run out convincing winners.

Wilfried Bony did us a good turn when scoring last weekend and his Swansea side now travel to Goodison Park to play Everton. This is one of several intriguing games this weekend. Everton seem to be back to their best with Lukaku back among the goals but the Swans were very unlucky not to win at Anfield in the Cup in midweek. I think there will be goals in this match with Everton possibly just sneaking it.

The Manchester derby is a difficult one with City having hit an unexpected dip in form and United gradually improving. City’s troubles began when they allowed a two-goal lead to disappear in Moscow and they have since lost to West Ham and Newcastle. United were let off the hook by Chelsea last week but did not really do enough to convince me that they can win this one.

Diafra Sakho was highlighted in this column a couple of weeks ago and his incredible scoring streak now runs to seven consecutive matches. The world and his dog will be hoping that he can make it eight when the Hammers travel to Stoke and why shouldn’t it? Stoke will be in low spirits after losing twice to Southampton in a week and Sam Allardyce will have his tactics mapped out as usual.

Alexis Sanchez is the player in form at Arsenal and he is taken to get on the score sheet at home to Burnley with a big home win likely. Saido Berahino is another playing with his shooting boots on and he can continue the good work for West Brom this weekend at Leicester.

Newcastle stunned Tottenham last week and followed up by winning at Man City in the Capital One Cup. I don’t know how close Alan Pardew came to the sack but you have to admire his guts in toughing out. They now host a ragged Liverpool side who somehow escaped with a win over Swansea in the Cup but still look vulnerable in defence. Both sides can score in this one but the result could go either way.

Newcastle v Liverpool Both sides to score@4-6 BetVictor

Alexis Sanchez to score and Arsenal beat Burnley @11-10 Boyle Sports

Eden Hazard to score and Chelsea beat QPR @11-10 Paddy Power

Wilfried Bony to score for Swansea v Everton @5-2 Totesport

Everton v Swansea more than 2.5 goals @5-6 BetVictor

Saido Berahino to score and West Brom beat Leicester @6-1 BWin

Diafra Sakho to score and West Ham beat Stoke @6-1 BWin

Premier League Preview Oct 25th – 27th

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The highlight of this weekend’s Premier League action has to be Sunday’s game at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Blues start the weekend five points clear at the top of the table but United are potentially dangerous rivals with their summer influx of stars. They have improved offensively but their defence is another matter and Jose Mourinho will be looking to exploit this with the pace of Hazard and Willian.

At the time of writing, Costa’s availability is unknown but Loic Remy is definitely out. That could leave Didier Drogba as the only realistic option at centre-forward. He has looked a long way short of his best but Hazard was brilliant against Maribor in midweek and Chelsea can create goals from almost anywhere on the pitch. Take Hazard to score in another victory for the Blues.

Man City blew a two-goal lead in Moscow and that will have made it a miserable journey home. They now play a confident West Ham who have found a new scoring machine in Diafra Sakho. He gave us a 5-1 winner last week when scoring for his sixth consecutive game. Sam Allardyce patted himself on the back for working out how to beat Everton after their Europa League match and will have a similar plan for the champions. The Hammers might be worth supporting on the handicap.

Southampton were superb last week in demolishing Sunderland 8-0 and will be full of confidence for the visit of Stoke. You can’t help but think that Ronald Koeman’s side have to slip up sooner or later but I would be surprised if it is on Saturday. Take Pelle to score in a Saints win.

Another man in form is Wilfried Bony of Swansea and he can get on the score sheet at home to Leicester. The Swans were hard done by at Stoke last week and should be able to grab all three points here. Arsenal are not the ideal opponents for Sunderland after last week’s humiliation at St Mary’s and it is difficult to see any other result than a win for the Gunners. It should be routine win for Everton at struggling Burnley and Tottenham can put the pressure back on Alan Pardew by defeating Newcastle.

Monday night’s game is QPR versus Aston Villa. Harry Redknapp’s side fought manfully at home to Liverpool last week but somehow managed to lose 3-2 after twice appearing to have salvaged a point. Villa are not the most reliable of teams but this game could be draw material along with Saturday’s game between West Brom and Crystal Palace.

West Ham (+1 handicap) to beat Man City @6-4 Bet365

Graziano Pelle to score and Southampton to win @17-10 Ladbrokes

Arsenal to beat Sunderland @4-5 Stan James

Wilfried Bony to score and Swansea win @9-4 Paddy Power

Eden Hazard to score and Chelsea win @5-1 Coral

QPR v Aston Villa DRAW @9-4 Bet365

Premier League Preview Oct 18 – 20th

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The Premier League makes a welcome return on Saturday after the International break. First up are champions Manchester City who host Tottenham in the lunchtime kick-off.

Spurs have been down this route before, arriving here in buoyant mood last year to be thumped 6-0. They also suffered similar humiliation at home, conceding a further five as City waltzed through their non-existent defence. Will Tottenham make a game of it under Mauricio Pochettino?

Although Spurs trail City by just three points, this is really a match that the Champions should win if they are to keep tabs on Chelsea. Sergio Aguero scored three times against Spurs last year and is back to something like his best. He looks a decent bet to score in a home win.

Arsenal are currently residing in eighth place and they need a confidence booster at home to Hull. The dust has now settled on another defeat for the Gunners at Stamford Bridge and Arsene Wenger has begrudgingly apologised for shoving Jose Mourinho. There should not be too much to get fired up about in this one, although Hull may feel that they have a score to settle from last season’s FA Cup disappointment.

Burnley are starting to look like good things for relegation and a defeat at home to West Ham on Saturday would confirm that view. Sam Allardyce has pulled a rabbit out of the hat with Diafra Sakho who has scored in all five games so far for the Hammers. He could be worth combining with a Hammers victory, especially with Stewart Downing relishing his new role as midfield provider.

League leaders Chelsea travel to Crystal Palace for a game that they should win in a canter. Somehow they contrived to lose this match last year and it provides an opportunity to measure their progress since. Three points against Palace counts just as much as three against Arsenal and that is a lesson that they should have learned from last year. The bookmakers are growing to hate Diego Costa as he keeps coming up with the goods. He even scored for Spain in midweek and the omens are not good for Palace.

Everton must be scratching their heads when they look at the league table and see themselves one point above the drop zone. They have played some good football this season but their defence has been woeful. They need to tighten up against a slightly unpredictable Aston Villa side but should just edge it.

I would normally skip past Newcastle v Leicester but the Alan Pardew show re-starts at 3pm with more trials and tribulations expected. Papiss Cisse is the only man keeping Pardew in a job at the moment and he will be the key player again on Saturday. Don’t put it past him to pop up and save his boss for the third time in little over a month.

Southampton continue to astound and sit proudly in third position. They are at home to Sunderland but you get the feeling that the pressure will start to tell sooner or later. They needed a world class goal from Pelle to beat QPR and Sunderland returned to winning form last week. It may be worth taking the Black Cats to steal a point on Saturday.

QPR look as weak as Burnley at present and should provide Liverpool with a much-needed three points on Sunday while Stoke and Swansea has “draw” written all over it. The mega-bucks spent at Old Trafford have started to pay off and they can continue their upward climb by winning at the Hawthorns on Monday. Di Maria continues to impress and can get on the score sheet for the Red Devils.

Sergio Aguero to score and Man City win @11-8 Coral

Arsenal to win by one goal @11-4 Skybet

Diafra Sakho to score and West Ham win @5-1 Bwin

Diego Costa to score and Chelsea win @6-5 Ladbrokes

Everton to win by one goal @11-4 Skybet

Papiss Cisse to score and Newcastle win @15-4 Bwin

Southampton v Sunderland DRAW @3-1 Bet365

Liverpool to win by three or more goals @4-1 Skybet

Stoke v Swansea DRAW @21-10 Bet365

Angel Di Maria to score and Man Utd win @3-1 Paddy Power