The Bettorlogic Injuries And Suspensions Column: No mercy even without Van Persie

Premier League / Bettorlogic / 20 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

Robin Van Persie will be out of action for a while but the stats suggest Arsenal will be just fine without him.

"The absence of RVP looks unlikely to halt Arsenal’s current momentum and the Gunners look worth supporting at [1.9] on the Asian handicap -0.75, while both teams’ attacking instincts should lead to a high-scoring game with Arsenal’s attacking options enough to suggest that [2.66] for +3.5 goals is still value without Van Persie."

Robin Van Persie will be out for approximately six weeks after an injury sustained whilst playing for Holland but the stats show this won't halt Arsenal's progress or their ability to score. Plus other key Premier League injuries and how they affect the betting.

Click Here to subscribe to Player PRO and have a free 14 day trial.

Bettorlogic have compiled a report using our player analysis tool Player PRO highlighting the most important players that are likely to be missing across the Premier League this weekend.

NB Player appearances are based on a player starting and completing at least an hour of the match unless otherwise stated. The sample is based on a team's home and away league matches since the start of last season unless otherwise stated.

Sunderland v Arsenal

Robin Van Persie

Sunderland host in-form Arsenal and will be delighted not to see Robin Van Persie lining up against them as the Dutchman has been flying recently with eight goals in his last 12 matches. However, Van Persie's absences have not proven particularly significant since the start of last season, Arsenal winning 10 of 14 (2.29 PPG) matches that he's missed compared to just 18 of the 35 (1.86PPG) that he's played.

Van Persie has been Arsenal's leading scorer since the start of last season (18 goals), with twice as many as both Arshavin and Fabregas together. Despite this, Arsenal have managed to maintain their average goals scored rate (2.1) without the Dutchman. Eduardo will likely have to take on a greater responsibility and in the three matches he's started since his career-threatening injury, Arsenal have netted four times on each occasion.

The absence of RVP looks unlikely to halt Arsenal's current momentum and the Gunners look worth supporting at [1.9] on the Asian handicap -0.75, while both teams' attacking instincts should lead to a high-scoring game with Arsenal's attacking options enough to suggest that [2.66] for +3.5 goals is still value without Van Persie.

Round-up

Man Utd v Everton

Louis Saha and Jo are both injury doubts for Everton and without them Everton's chances of scoring against the champions will be significantly reduced. Since the start of last season, Saha has played 17 and missed 30 of the Toffees games, with their average goals scored falling from 1.47 per game to 1.37; while since his arrival, Jo has played 13 and missed 12 matches with goals scored falling from 1.62 per game to 1.50.

With Everton's goalscoring opportunities looking likely to be reduced, United should run out comfortable winners here and look well capable of beating their handicap of -1.25 goals at [2.0].

Stoke v Portsmouth

Hassan Yebda and Aruna Dindane are both struggling to be fit this weekend and so far this season Pompey have failed to win as much as a point when either of the on-loan players has been absent. Both have missed four games each, Portsmouth taking seven points from the four matches that Yebda has taken part in and five points from matches in which Dindane has played .

Pompey have been struggling all season and any injuries are likely to be a big problem for the south coast side. As a result, Stoke should be able to take advantage and with their strong home record look excellent value to record another win at [2.18].