Premier League Betting: Arsenal v West Ham

Premier League / Dan Fitch / 19 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

Arsenal may have their 'Fab' number 4 back in action.

Recommended Bets: Back Fabregas to score @ [2.35]; Back both teams to score @ [2.0]; Back the draw halftime/Arsenal full time @ [4.8].

Having drawn Barcelona in Europe, Arsenal get to practice at beating a side wearing claret and blue, when West Ham visit. Dan 'The Betting Man' Fitch thinks that Arsenal will edge another close victory: Best Bet: Fabregas to score @ [2.35].

Title chasing Arsenal will look to dispense with another Premier League struggler when they play host to West Ham on Saturday evening.

Whilst it's true that a London derby is rarely straightforward and the Hammers can boast of a decent record against Arsenal in recent seasons, it would still be a major surprise if the home side were not to pick up all three points.

West Ham have lost their last three Premier League games and their away form is very poor, having won only once all season. That win came on the opening day against Wolves and since then Gianfranco Zola's team have gone 14 games without picking up another victory.

Zola's appointment as West Ham manager raised a few eyebrows and though he initially turned their results around, there are those that question his suitability for a relegation scrap.

Last week against Chelsea, Zola made the bizarre decision to start with his top scorer Carlton Cole on the bench and instead pair Mido and Ilan together. I'll now give you 5 minutes whilst you look up Ilan on Wikipedia, before continuing with the preview.

Arsenal have also had their problems with strikers this season, but with four goals in his last two games, Nicklas Bendtner has hit the sort of form to silence the boo boys at The Emirates, who groan at his every touch.

When the goalscorer markets open on Betfair closer to kick off, expect Bendtner to be priced at around [5.0] to score first and [2.2] to net at any time, with Andrey Arshavin at [5.0] and [2.25], and Cesc Fabregas at [5.5] and [2.35]. For West Ham, Cole will lead the betting at around [13.0] and [5.0].

Fabregas is expected to start the game following his recent injury and as Arsenal's top scorer this season, seems like good value in the goalscorer markets.

Alex Song will return after suspension, while Tomas Rosicky is also in contention. Aaron Ramsey, Robin van Persie, William Gallas, Johan Djourou and Kieron Gibbs are all out.

West Ham have Julien Faubert as a doubt, while Manuel Da Costa is suspended and Herita Ilunga and Mark Noble are both injured.

With so many injuries within the West Ham defence, the odds are that Arsenal won't struggle to break down a back four that have now conceded 9 goals in 3 games.

Of West Ham's last 6 Premier League games, 5 have broken the 2.5 goal barrier, while Arsenal have done likewise in their last 3 matches. Over 2.5 goals is the resounding favourite at [1.58], with unders at [2.68]. If you think that the Hammers will capitulate as they did against Chelsea, then over 3.5 goals can be backed at [2.36], with over 4.5 at [4.5].

The fact remains though that the Hammers have a great record when travelling to Arsenal. Of their last four visits, West Ham have won twice and drawn once. They also forced a 2-2 draw at Upton Park this season and came close to defeating Arsenal in the FA Cup, before eventually losing 2-1.

So the match odds of [1.24] for Arsenal don't hold much appeal, with the draw at [7.2] and West Ham at [17.0]. Given their penchant for late winners, a more attractive proposition is the [4.8] for the draw/Arsenal, with Arsenal/Arsenal available at [1.76].

Arsenal have conceded in their last three league outings and you can get odds of [2.0] for both teams to score, with an Arsenal clean sheet at [1.93]. I fancy the Gunners to snatch another victory and like 2-1 at [10.5] and 3-1 at [11.5].