English Premier
2008-12-13 - Middlesbrough vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Middlesbrough (12th - Home : 3-2-3 8:12)
Middlesbrough Team News :
Boro defenders Robert Huth and Chris Riggott could return to the side after injury, David Wheater is suspended.
Gary O'Neil and Mido (hamstring) will miss out, while Justin Hoyte and Andrew Taylor (knee) are doubtful.
Middlesbrough Squad :
Turnbull, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz, Aliadiere, Arca, Digard, Hines, Downing, Sanli, Alves, Jones, Emnes, Johnson, McMahon, Grounds, Walker.
Arsenal (4th - Away : 4-1-3 13:9)
Arsenal have lost their last two away games, going down 0-2 at Burnley and 0-2 at Portuguese champions Porto, but in both games manager Arsene Wenger sent out a team of kids and claimed that they were good enough.
Obviously they weren't (they lost) and it's this myopic approach to being prepared to lose "meaningless" games that frustrates Arsenal fans.
Notwithstanding that the team sent out were young, it's still two away losses that hardly can be useful when trying to build the confidence of a very young squad.
And then on the other hand, Wenger can get his young charges to go out and beat Chelsea in the league at Stamford Bridge - so who the hell knows what Arsenal are going to turn up here.
It should be a much stronger Arsenal line-up (on paper).
Arsenal Team News :
Arsenal expect to have captain Cesc Fabregas (knee) back along with several other first-team players. Full-back Gael Clichy (hamstring), Robin van Persie (thigh) and the rested Emmanuel Adebayor should be available again along with defender Bacary Sagna.
Arsenal Squad :
Almunia, Clichy, Gallas, Silvestre, Sagna, Denilson, Diaby, Fabregas, Eboue, van Persie, Adebayor, Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Song, Vela, Bendtner, Ramsey, Wilshere.
Head to Head
Middlesbrough have two wins and a draw from their last three home games against Arsenal ... and have also drawn their last two games against the Gunners at the Emirates too.
Preliminary Verdict
Arsenal have already lost three times on the road this season at Fulham, Stoke and Man City and yet they can turn around and beat Chelsea in a big game.
That seems to sum Arsenal up this year, inconsistant and as such it's hard to recommend a punt on the Gooners at odds-on, even though the away win is the most likely result.
But either side could win this game, and based on the Arsenal dodgy form I'd have priced these sides up at around 2.80 / 2.20.
So that biggest price of 4/1 (5.00) on Middlesbrough looks outstanding value for a sneaky tenner.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Middlesbrough 1-1 Arsenal
BEST BETTING TIP :
The draw for me - but most punters don't like betting on draws ...so as a "roughie" consider taking MIDDLESBROUGH to cause a surprise at prices of 4/1 (5.00)
