Birmingham v Arsenal
Well i thought the 1X here would be a decent bet when the fixtures were released earlier in the week and now after Arsenal's defeat at West Ham and the injuries they have at the minute i don't think i can not try Birmingham here as the price is very nice imo.
I am not quite sure why exactly Arsenal struggle so badly on the road in the EPL this season. They have a side that is perfect for counter attacking football and when you see they have a record of 2-3-6 away from home it is pretty surprising due to the quality in the side.
Everton 1-0 Arsenal
Aston Villa 0-0 Arsenal
Charlton 0-1 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-0 Arsenal
Bolton 2-0 Arsenal
Wigan 2-3 Arsenal
Tottenham 1-1 Arsenal
West Brom. 2-1 Arsenal
West Ham 0-0 Arsenal
Middlesbro 2-1 Arsenal
Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal
I find this quite worrying and they definately have some sort of problem away as bar Chelsea, and possibly Bolton they should be taking at least a point off these sides as they aren't the best teams they have faced yet.
Still some very tricky ties to OT, Anfield, Ewood to name a few.
West Brom, Boro and Everton are definately games you'd expect them to come away with a victory and to think they only have scored 1 goal in their last 5 away fixtures is pretty worrying to me.
So just going by that the 1X looks a decent shout but then you take injuries into account and it really is very very dangerous for the Gunners.
Quote:
Campbell's absence deepens Arsenal's problems at the back, with eight defenders now unavailable.
Ashley Cole, Gael Clichy, Lauren, Kerrea Gilbert and Pascal Cygan are out injured and Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue are away at the African Cup of Nations.
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That is some huge players missing for them and ones you don't have any confidence in Arsenal being able to play their reserve players who would be able to do the same job as theese injured ones.
Birmingham are just the kind of side this make shift Arsenal side won't want to come up against at the minute.
They have some momentum going now and are unbeaten in their last 4 league home games now and will be buzzing after the draw they got from Anfield.
Heskey and Sutton upfront is going to cause the Gunners backline a whole heap of problems. Sutton is an inspired signing imo and will add so much to this side.
Good in the air, great inter play and although he won't score you 15+ goals in a season like he did in his peak he will still notch a few in for them and this was a great bit of business for Bruce.
Pennants form is starting to pick up too and he will be a big player as if he can get some quality balls into the box you'd have to fancy Birmingham to get something from them.
I wouldn't advise big stakes on this but i think it is in with a very good shout.
Birmingham to win @ 3.95 Betfair
Birmingham to draw (cover) @ 3.4