Football Betting: Arsenal learn winning style from Barca

Premier League / Frank Gregan / 11 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Arsenal have been a very profitable side to follow in the correct score market, where six of their 11 league games have ended as any other scores."

Frank Gregan has been impressed by the Gunners so far - so much so that he is predicting big things for them this season. Meanwhile, Madrid could face the ignominy of watching their greatest rivals win Europe's biggest prize in their own back yard...

The season is just about a third of the way through and the Premier League table is taking a familiar shape. The top three are all members of the Big Four and Liverpool who have been having a thoroughly miserable time of it are still only three points off fourth spot.

Many thought that the money would talk this season and that Man City would be in the mix but despite being in sixth place the general consensus is that they should be doing much better, given their resources. However, if evidence is needed that dosh brings results one needs to look no further than Tottenham who find themselves in a very lofty fourth spot.

There's no doubt that Harry Redknapp has done a superb job at White Hart Lane but he has certainly been given the tools with which to do it. Spurs are current the second biggest spenders in English football behind Man City. Daniel Levy has made the funds available and Harry has not been scared to spend them. In the past 16 months they have spent just short of ₤150 million on transfers.

Despite their investment, Betfarians believe that Tottenham and Manchester City are unlikely to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season. City are priced at [44.0] and Tottenham at [170.00]. After their success on Sunday, Chelsea are odds-on to win the title at [1.98] with Manchester United out to [4.4].

Arsenal have long been considered as technically good as anyone in England but have in recent seasons suffered from a lack of steel and strength in depth. When they're good they are a joy to watch and they were at it again at the weekend, during their 4-1 demolition of Wolves.

Arsene Wenger's men hold second spot above Manchester United courtesy of a goal difference which is twice as good as the Reds. They also have a game in hand which could close the gap at the top to only two points but they are still a bigger price at [4.7].

They have been a great in-play back, having been matched at [12.0] after early successive defeats in Manchester. They've also been a very profitable side to follow in the correct score market, where six of their 11 league games have ended as any other scores.

I recommended backing Arsenal at the start of the season to win the Champions League along with one of the Spanish giants to be decided at a later date. That later date is now upon us and having kept a close eye on both Real Madrid and Barcelona it is now time to nail the colours to the mast.

If Arsenal need convincing that 'eye candy' can win a national title they should look no further than Barcelona. They have been in great nick all season playing some tremendous stuff and they make up my coupled bet for the Champions League title along with the Gunners. Barcelona are priced at [5.5], odds likely to shorten after they have beaten Real Madrid in the Nou Camp on the November 29.

I watched Real Madrid make an embarrassing exit from the Spanish Cup, the Copa Del Rey last night. They won 1-0 on the night against Alcorcon, minnows from the suburbs of Madrid that play in Segunda B, which is not even a national league but divided into regions. They lost 4-1 on aggregate and the pressure is building on coach Manuel Pellegrini. There is nothing the Catalans would like more than to lift the Champions League trophy at the home of their greatest rivals!