English Premier
2010-01-20 - Arsenal vs Bolton Wanderers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: England, Premier League 2009/2010
Wednesday, 20th January 2010 - Kickoff 7:45pm
Arsenal
Arsenal have a chance to take over at the top of the Premier League with a win by 2 goals here and who would have predicted that after their 0-3 home loss to Chelsea a little under 2 months ago. Arsene Wenger's side is sure to pick up confidence if they can take the lead in this title race and it may be the belief they require to go all the way.
The Gunners are 3rd in the Premier League but only 3 points behind Chelsea at the top and 2 points behind Manchester United in 2nd, although Arsenal do have a game in hand over United. They are 8-1-1 at the Emirates this season where they have scored 30 goals and conceded only 9.
They are currently on an 8 match unbeaten run in all competitions and they have won 6 of those games. Arsenal are unbeaten in 4 games at the Emirates Stadium since the Chelsea defeat and they have won 3 of those games with clean sheets. Arsenal drew 2-2 here with Everton in their last home game.
Theo Walcott, Denilson and Jack Wilshere will all have late fitness tests but Samir Nasri is out. I will expect the same side that started against Bolton 3 days ago to start here.
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers did not quite do enough to earn a result in their 0-2 defeat against Arsenal as Owen Coyle took charge for the first time. There were some real encouraging signs that they will have enough to avoid relegation this season but I am sure Coyle would have preferred to not see Arsenal again so soon.
The Trotters are 19th in the Premier League after results over the weekend but they are only 1 point from safety with the added knowledge of having a couple of games in hand over the teams above them. Bolton are 2-2-4 away from home where they have scored 10 goals and conceded 15. Only Stoke have conceded less goals on their travels in the bottom half of the Premier League, but this could be due to Bolton having played 2 games less away from home than most teams above them.
The defeat on Saturday was Bolton's first in 5 games in all cometitions which is a surprise since they sacked Gary Megson not too long ago. They have not won any of their last 6 away from home in all competitions but will take heart from the fact that they have only lost 1 of their last 3.
Bolton have the same players available to them as Sunday.
Head to Head
The myth that Arsenal cannot play against Bolton has been scuppered in recent seasons with the North Londoners winning their last 7 against the Wanderers.
Arsenal have won their last 3 games at home against Bolton. Only 1 of those wins came by 2 goals though.
Prediction
Arsenal have really been performing well recently, especially when considering the injuries they are also dealing with, in particular up front. Cesc Fabregas is having a huge season for them in midfield, and his admirers grow with each game he plays.
Bolton will look to give a good account of themselves, but I am sure Owen Coyle will be glad to see the back of Arsenal so he can get down to the business of picking up realistic points. While anything they get will be a bonus, I am sure they will know in the back of their mind that they have bigger and more important matches to win coming up.
A hammering for Bolton is not what is required for Coyle to build their confidence but I cannot see beyond a comfortable Arsenal win. I do expect Arsenal to do enough to be sitting proudly at the top of the table at 10pm Wednesday evening.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Arsenal 2-0 Bolton Wanderers
BEST BETTING TIP :
Arsenal WIN
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Arsenal -1.75 Asian Handicap
