English Premier
2010-03-27 - Birmingham City vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: England, Premier League
Saturday, 27th March 2010 - Kickoff 3pm
Birmingham City
Birmingham City have really come off the boil in recent weeks after a solid middle of the season virtually guaranteed them Premier League football next season although they have remained a totally different side at St. Andrews. Europe seems beyond them now, but Alex McCleish is likely to receive funds this Summer to strengthen his side further for the 2010/11 season.
The Blues are 9th in the Premier League and I think that looks like a position they will hold on to until the end of season. Fulham in 10th are 6 points behind Birmingham while Everton have moved 4 points clear in 8th place. They do remain one of the stronger sides at home with a 7-6-2 record at St. Andrews and they have scored 15 goals but conceded only 10 in those games. Manchester United are the only side to have conceded less goals at home than Birmingham so far this season.
They have only won 1 of their last 5 games in all competitions which has seen them exit the FA Cup in the 6th round. However, 4 of those games were away from home and Birmingham are now unbeaten in their last 12 games at home. Impressively, Birmingham have played 6 of the sides currently occupying the top 8 places in the Premier League at home and have only been beaten by Aston Villa 0-1. Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Everton all came away with draws from this venue.
Birmingham do not have new injuries to report at this time.
Arsenal
Arsenal are the form side in the Premier League over the course of recent games as they look to end the barren run without a trophy. With Barcelona awaiting in the Champions League Quarter Final, there may be a feeling that the Premier League title is more within their grasp than European honours. Either way, Arsenal fans are sure to be delighted with a new trophy in the cabinet at the Emirates.
The Gunners fell back down to 3rd in the table after results on Sunday and during the week but remain only 2 points off the top. Arsenal are 8-3-4 away from home this season, scoring 30 goals but conceding 18 in those games. They are the joint top scorers away from home in the League this season with Chelsea.
Arsenal have now won 6 straight games in all competitions while also winning 6 in a row in the Premier League since losing back to back games against United and Chelsea. Arsenal have scored at least 2 goals in their last 6 games. They have won 2 in a row away from home in the Premier League, but both games needed late goals to secure the 3 points. Before those wins, Arsenal had failed to win in 4 away games, losing 3 of those.
Thomas Vermaelan joins William Gallas in missing this game which means Sol Campbell is likely to be partnered by Mikael Silvestre at centre back. Nicolas Bendtner is also going to need a late fitness test before he is passed fit.
Head to Head
This will be Arsenal's first trip back to St. Andrews since the 2-2 draw that effectively saw them lose the title 2 years ago. That game is perhaps remembered mainly for the horror tackle on Eduardo which broke his leg and the William Gallas protest at the end of the game after Birmingham were awarded a penalty.
Arsenal have won on 3 of the 5 trips they have made to Birmingham in the Premier League recently with Birmingham only winning 1 game.
Arsenal did beat Birmingham 3-1 earlier this season at the Emirates Stadium.
Prediction
Birmingham do not have much to play for this season in terms of achievements, but the players and the manager will not want to end the season with a whimper after a great run during the Winter months. They will also be aware that funds are available to strengthen the side and effectively are playing for their places in the squad next season.
Arsenal have been on a great run as they push the leaders all the way in an exciting end to the season. The players will have bad memories of this ground after seeing their title challenge fall apart here 2 years ago and the task is made that much harder with the 2 first choice centre backs missing.
This is a really intriguing game but I think Birmingham can do enough to avoid defeat and dent the Gunners title charge. Birmingham proven difficult to beat all season here and they should be set out with the same formula that has worked so well against the other big sides this season. I feel Birmingham can score and I will play them on the Asian Handicap with a goal start as even a 1 goal defeat would mean getting the money back.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Birmingham City 1-1 Arsenal
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Birmingham City +1 Asian Handicap
