English Premier
2009-09-26 - Fulham vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Football: England, Premier League 2009/2010
Saturday 26th September 2009 - Kickoff 17:30
Fulham (14th) 2-0-3 4:7
Fulham's problems this season can be summed up in two words ... "goals scored".
With just four goals in the league this season, Fulham have struggled to finish off chances that have been created - although things were looking better in Fulham's last home game a 2-1 victory over Everton with the return of Bobby Zamora, Andrew Johnson and Danny Murphy making a significant impact.
Last weekend's 1-2 loss at Wolves was a step backwards though, the goal came from the penalty spot, and the midweek loss to Man City in the Carling Cup after extra time may take something from the legs of Gera who played 120 minutes.
Fulham Team News :
Fulham's Simon Davies is out with a foot injury, which he aggravated in the midweek defeat to Manchester City.
Roy Hodgson will also be without Erik Nevland, Andrew Johnson (shoulder) and Toni Kallio (Achilles).
Arsenal (7th) 3-0-2 17:8
Arsenal are pretty much like any Arsenal side under Arsene Wenger in the last three years, full of talent and quality, but perhaps lacking in experience and depth in the squad.
The Gunners were too good for Wigan Athletic last weekend, winning 4-0, but to my eye Arsenal looked a little disorganised at the back and 3rd choice keeper Vito Mannone looks very inexperienced.
A 2-0 midweek win in the Carling Cup over Championship leading West Brom looks a reasonable result, but both clubs made plenty of changes, and all we really learnt was that Arsenal have a great bunch of kids in Carlos Vela, Sanchez Watt and Jack Wilshere.
Arsenal Team News :
The return of both Andrei Arshavin and Robin Van Persie will give Arsenal plenty of talent going forward, and that's probably just as well because the Gunners have yet to keep a clean sheet on the road in the league this season.
Theo Walcott could also feature in his first game of the season for the Gunners. But Manuel Almunia is still out with a chest infection so Vito Mannone is likely to deputise in goal again.
Head to Head
Fulham and Arsenal have gone to it in recent seasons - with the home side winning two of the last three games here at Craven Cottage - although the Gunners hold a 4-0-2 record in the last six season.
Arsenal have tended to dominate the reverse fixtures too (4-2-0) but Fulham grabbed a 0-0 draw at the Emirates last season to take their season haul against Arsneal to 4 points.
The Betting Verdict
Arsenal's pair of defeats in Manchester against both City and United underline that it's not easy for a young side to win on the road - and Fulham have proved last season that they are no soft touch against Arsenal.
But Roy Hodgson's side do try and play a good brand of passing football which helps Arsenal, and the trip from North London to Craven Cottage is a local derby not 290 km trip.
I have a feeling that Arsenal are motivated to get an away win, and given last seasons results they are also forewarned about Fulham's potential if taken lightly.
Fulham have lost here recently to Liverpool (0-1) and Chelsea (0-2) and although I think that they'll find a way to score past Arsenal's flaky defence - I think that the visitors will come out on top.
Fulham fans might want to ignore that and take a wee punt on the home side at prices over 5/1 (6.00+) as recent history shows that Fulham should be rated better than just getting 1 win in 6. It's a good value punt - but might not pay out this season.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Fulham 1-2 Arsenal
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take ARSENAL to win as the most likely result.
