English Premier
2012-02-01 - Bolton Wanderers vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Wednesday 1 February 2012 - Kick Off 8pm
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers were trying to tie up the signing of Marvin Sordell at the time of writing as the most vital transfer window in their recent history came to a conclusion tonight. Owen Coyle's team have certainly picked up some form of late and would have been boosted by the defeats for Wigan and Wolves on Tuesday night.
The Trotters are 17th in the Premier League table after the results on Tuesday, and they have a chance to create a bit of separation from the bottom two teams in the table and potentially also from Blackburn Rovers who play on the same night. However, they will have to improve on their 2-1-8 home record, scoring 14 goals in those games and conceding 25. They have the worst home defence in the League and have lost the most home games along with Blackburn Rovers.
Bolton have lost just 1 of their last 7 games in all competitions, and they have won 3 in a row although 2 of those were in FA Cup ties. That should still breed confidence in a side that has struggled for much of the season, as should the 3-1 win over Liverpool here last time out. The team are unbeaten in their last 2 games here, although had lost 10 of their previous 11 Premier League games at the Reebok before that.
Tim Ream has been brought in to replace Gary Cahill, but he is set to miss this game. Marvin Sordell's deal may be completed, but I am unsure if the paperwork would allow him to compete in this game or wait until the weekend to make his debut.
Arsenal
Arsenal must have been very happy watching some of the action on Tuesday night as Chelsea have opened up the door for a battle for the Champions League place. It does seem that the top three teams have gotten away from Arsenal who will have to fight off the challenge of Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United if they want to return to Europe's top table.
The Chelsea draw with Swansea means Arsenal are just 6 points behind the Blues in the final Champions League place and they also have this additional game to play. The Gunners would move back above Liverpool into 5th place if they win this game, although their away form has been hit and miss all season. Arsenal are 4-1-6 on their travels, scoring 22 goals but conceding 25, giving them the worst away defence in the League so far.
Arsenal are also looking to reverse some bad form in the League where they have lost their last 3 Premier League games. They have lost 3 of their last 4 away games in the League, including back to back defeats at Fulham and Swansea.
Johan Djourou is available and could return to the side despite being given a torrid time against Manchester United in their last League game. Mikel Arteta and Thierry Henry are both available, but Bacary Sagna is not quite ready to make a return.
Head to Head
Arsenal have already beaten Bolton Wanderers twice this season, both times at the Emirates Stadium.
Bolton beat Arsenal here 2-1 last season, but Arsenal had won on their previous 4 visits to the Reebok Stadium.
Prediction
I have said many times this season that Arsenal's defensive problems makes them a dangerous side to be backing at odds on against anybody, and that has been backed up by their recent defeats at Fulham and Swansea.
However, Bolton Wanderers, despite a recent upturn in fortune, are not really a side I would want to back with their own defensive problems in games recently, an area I expect Arsenal will find some success in this game.
While I am not keen on picking either side to actually get a result, the 'Over' and 'Under' markets have been priced up fairly well.
With all that said, I am still keen to get one market on my side and that is Robin Van Persie to score at anytime at a stand-out price of evens at Coral.
The Dutchman continues to find the back of the net, adding 2 more goals against Aston Villa on Sunday and he has scored in his last 3 games in all competitions to back up a productive 2011.
I just don't understand this price and I think he would be far shorter if he had a different name- I imagine Wayne Rooney would be around 1.60/1.70 and possibly shorter if he had been on a run like this, so Van Persie has to be the pick.
The Statistics :
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pick :
Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Arsenal
