English Premier
2011-10-02 - Tottenham vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premiership
Sunday 2nd October - Kickoff 4:00pm
Tottenham
Redknapp's Spurs side have very much got their season up and running again following a shaky start. Tottenham lost their opening 2 games of the season but have since won 3 on the spin to give them 9 points which is good enough for 6th place. On Sunday they face their arch North London rivals Arsenal in what looks the pick of the weekend's games.
With the Everton game being postponed, Spurs have had to start against United at Old Trafford (lost 3-0) and then host big spending City (Lost 5-1). After two games Spurs were on 0 points and had a goal difference of -7!
But fair play to Redknapp he didn't panic and Spurs went to Wolves (won 2-0) and Wigan (won 2-1) and got two decent away results. In between the two away games was a comprehensive mauling of Liverpool (4-0).
Some sides crumble after suffering beatings like Spurs took against the two Manchester clubs but instead they kept going and now find themselves right up there in their quest for that converted Champions League place.
The home form is hard to grasp with just 2 games being played the City defeat and a win over Liverpool. Both games saw one side dominate another with Spurs dishing it out in one game and taking one in the other. So which Spurs will turn up against Arsenal?
Team news is that Huddlestone, Pienaar, Dawson, Kranjcar miss out whilst Defoe and Lennon are doubts. I expect both Defoe and Lennon to miss this one or just make the bench as both picked injuries up in the Europa League win over Shamrock. As a result Sandro will play in midfield whilst up top Adebayor will be supported by Van Der Vaart in a very attacking lineup.
Predicted Tottenham Lineup:
Friedel; Walker, King, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Parker, Sandro, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart; Adebayor.
Arsenal
The Gunners find themselves in lowly 13th place right now and are having to really battle to climb back up the table after their awful start to the season. Up against Spurs on Sunday they are in for a big test and we will see if the side has really recovered or not.
Wenger's men opened the season with a 0-0 draw at Newcastle in a game that saw Gervinho sent off. Then at home to Liverpool the Gunners tasted defeat (2-0) as Frimpong saw red. Just when things couldn't get any worse Arsenal went to Old Trafford and got annihilated 8-2, a result that left them right at the bottom of the table.
Since then Arsenal has won 2 of the next 3 with a lackluster win over Swansea (1-0) and a more dominant win over Bolton (3-0). It's worth nothing that they beat Swansea because of a keeper error whilst Bolton until a red card was flashed were playing really well and causing Arsenal problems. Both games I'd say the score flattered Arsenal but still a win's a win regardless of who deserves what.
When looking at the away form it looks plain ugly. With the second worst away record in the league Arsenal can only boast 1 point from a possible 9 with 2 defeats and a draw. As mentioned above the loss at United was horrific and the draw at Newcastle wasn't too bad given they had 10 men. However, the last away game at Blackburn in my eyes was as bad as the United game.
Whilst they didn't concede 8 to Blackburn, they did concede 4 and lost 4-3 despite leading twice in the game. To make things worse 2 of Blackburn's goals were own goals from Arsenal players! The defence is a shambles and sides are creating chances against this back line. Spurs are a very dangerous team and I can't see how this game wont be high scoring.
The bonus for Arsenal fans is that, your side is scoring goals at the moment. 7 goals in the last 3 overall is good and they did get 2 at Old Trafford meaning they can definitely get as many at White Hart Lane.
Team news is that Diaby, Wilshere, Vermaelen, Djourou, Koscielny miss out whilst Gervinho, Walcott and Squillaci require late fitness tests. Wenger is hopeful Walcott will play whilst the other 2 look like missing this one. The manager must also decide who will start at left back with Gibbs my pick over Santos. With so many injured defenders Song will start at the back again meaning Frimpong starts in midfield next to Ramsey, Arteta, Arshavin and most likely Walcott. As per Van Persie starts up top after being rest in the win over Olympiakos in midweek.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup:
Szczęsny, Sagna, Mertersacker, Song, Gibbs; Frimpong, Arteta, Walcott, Ramsey, Arshavin; Van Persie.
The Betting Verdict
Tottenham is flying right now with 3 wins on the bounce and looked very sharp against Liverpool in the last home game. They have their swagger back and with Adebayor looking to put Arsenal to the sword again we may see a few Spurs goals on Sunday.
Arsenal on the other hand can only labour to wins at home and have an awful away record. Their defence is giving up tons of chances and against this Spurs side they will be punished.
If Blackburn can score 4 against Arsenal, then Spurs can at least half that and get 2. My bet will be Spurs to score more than 1.5 goals which seems a really good price to me. United put 8 past Arsenal and even horrendous Champions League travelers Olympiakos got 1.
With a passionate crowd behind them I think Spurs will attack from the off and who knows this may suite Arsenal. I can see them getting at least one myself but Both teams to score is a poor 1.50. Instead I'll trust Spurs's attacking lineup plus Arsenal's poor defence to see the home side score at least 2 goals.
Good Luck.
The Pick :
Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Spurs to score more than 1.50 goals @ 1.91 @ Coral
