Round 26 – Only way out
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
There is no other way to save their season, the seventh without a trophy, unless they get that fourth place in the table. Arsenal fans have once again had to endure a season of disappointments. Adding to that the taunts of a double from bitter rivals Tottenham would be too much. Their derby meeting with Spurs is key for their morale and consequently their approach to the last games left on unexpectedly shortened calendar.
West Bromwich – Sunderland
O’Neill made sure not to be beaten twice by Wenger this season. After the first match at the Stadium of Light he gathered enough information to present a stronger more prepared team when meeting them a week later. That time they won and they advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup make it seven seasons in succession for Arsenal without a trophy.
Hodgson had no FA troubles as he had already seen his side crash out at the hands of a surprising Norwich. That means they have had a two-week rest since their 1-5 thrashing of Wolves at the Molineux. Three top six sides, Everton and the derby with Wigan await after this match. Sealing a victory before that streak of games will be very important to help them ease along as they seek to avoid being dragged into a relegation squabble.
Just two home wins so far, against Wolves and Bolton, will not inspire much confidence on bets for a home win but I do see them having an edge over Sunderland. On the road the Black Cats have not been the best of sides and very often events have turned their way in those matches. Besides they may also be distracted by the impending derby with Newcastle.
Verdict: 1
I will still back the Baggies despite the poor showing at home so far. They are better rested and Sunderland have not been as convincing on away turf as their results under O’Neill would suggest.
Obscure Stat - West Brom have gone 6 home matches without a win. Over the last 6 Premier League seasons, when a home club has had such a streak, they have won the following home match in 12 of 23 matches played for a win profitability of 37%.
Wigan – Aston Villa
Derby time for the Latics and Aston Villa. With the Villains coming under fire from the fans, who have asked for McLeish’s head, and Martinez’s Wigan unable to come unstuck of that bottom place in the table this can be a chance for a comeback in both camps. A win will be mean an important three points. A defeat will be heavy.
In the build up to this match it is McLeish which has had to deal with the biggest setbacks. Ciaran Clark and Dunne are ruled out. Both forming part of his four-man starting defence he will now have to include Hutton and Cuellar to patch up his backline. Bad news when remembering that Wigan can count on some technically good players. It is true the Latics don’t score much but they can take advantage of a weakened defence with their qualities. Rodallega, Moses, Gomez and Di Santo. They all can deal damage here and endanger the position of both McLeish and Aston Villa, currently seven points from the danger line and nine from rivals Wigan.
The victory over Bolton has lifted Wigan and their chances for survival. Some training in the sun in Oman should have regenerated them and they do understand that it is now or never at this point given that with three points they would be out of the relegation zone. Dropping more points now will make it extremely difficult for them to catch up with the train that takes to the Premier League 2012/13.
Verdict: 1
A suddenly weakened Villa defence due to injuries can fall victim to Wigan’s quality strikers.
Obscure Stat - In their last 8 away matches coming off a loss in their previous away match, Villa have won just once, with draws resulting in 4 of their last 5 in such situations.
Arsenal – Tottenham
Wenger saw his side gunned down in Milan and at the Stadium of Light. Seven seasons trophy-less for Arsenal. That is unless the Gunners can claim an unlikely comeback against Milan in the Champions League from four goals down, or make an even more miraculous recovery in the league. Not likely and after having lost the first meeting with city rivals Tottenham the least they can do, apart from getting that fourth spot in the table, is winning against the Spurs.
There were days, now seemingly very distant, when the Gunners would taunt Spurs fans at how much stronger they were in comparison to their wannabe neighbours. The winds of change have blown and it is now Tottenham which can deal significant damage to their rivals by denting their ambitions for Champions League football. Chelsea, Newcastle and Liverpool are within reach and that temporary fourth place for Arsenal can soon be taken away from them.
Wenger has promised quality reinforcements as from next season. That will be difficult if they fail to land Champions League football. Besides, an “about time” is due here. Why would he let Nasri and Fabregas leave before deciding on doing that. Two star players who would have got the job half done already. Now Wenger will need to rebuild anew around van Persie, if he can keep Real Madrid’s rich hands of the wonder kid turned super striker that is.
Few are the doubters out there by now. Tottenham have a better squad and play better football than the Gunners. They should be the favourites therefore. The stadium will be against them. The injury list is not. Kaboul and van der Vaart may be recovered in time. Otherwise the team Redknapp can field is his usual with Saha or Defoe partnering Adebayor.
Arsenal still miss out on Wilshere. An immensely important presence in midfield. The Frenchman should still keep from trusting any new faces so it will his usual starting eleven with Gervinho, now back from Africa, replacing Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Verdict: Over 2.5
Playing against the top sides Tottenham have never held back. They can definitely find the net against an Arsenal defence which is potentially the weakest they have presented in years. As for keeping it shut Spurs have not been the best, conceding often on their travels.
Obscure Stat - Over the last 6 Premier League seasons, a club in 4th place has hosted a club in 3rd place on 5 occasions, with the home club winning 3 of those 5 matches played.
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