The Pay as you Lay Column: Upton Park could be potential banana skin for Gunners

Premier League / Andrew Atherley / 23 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Arsenal clearly have a favourite's chance, but they look too short on a ground where they have often struggled"

Every week Andrew Atherley will be selecting three odds-on shots worth laying. But there's a catch: he only gets paid by betting.betfair.com if at least two prove to be winning bets. This week, Arsenal against West Ham and two offerings from France.

Lay Arsenal at [1.55] v West Ham

Arsenal's away form has developed a few holes since their hugely promising opening-day 6-1 win at Everton and they are opposable at short odds in this London derby. They have looked shaky in trips to Standard Liege and AZ Alkmaar in the Champions League, and in the Premier League they were somewhat fortunate to win 1-0 at Fulham, having lost at both Manchester clubs. That's a mixed bag of results, and only one clean sheet in their last five away games hints at vulnerability. West Ham have scored in all three home games, which gives them a chance, and they gave Tottenham and Liverpool plenty of problems despite ultimately losing. Arsenal clearly have a favourite's chance, but they look too short on a ground where they have often struggled (four failures to win on their last six visits).

Lay Marseille at [1.88] v Paris Saint-Germain

Marseille have lost two of their last three league games and, despite their midweek win in the Champions League, there are reasons to take them on again. They have scored only six goals in four home games - four of which came in one match, the 4-2 win over Montpellier - and at present they look better set up for away games. Paris Saint-Germain are only four points behind in the table and the match odds underestimate a team that has lost only two out of nine league games and has taken something from every game in which they have scored.

Lay St Etienne at [1.88] v Valenciennes

St Etienne finished below the less celebrated Valenciennes last season and are trailing them again, the only tangible sign of progress being their 3-1 win over Bordeaux in their last home game. That could have flattered them, however, as it was followed by defeat at Montpellier and their only other win in five home games was against rock-bottom Grenoble. Valenciennes, by contrast, have shown a new side to their game, adding greater scoring power to last season's solidity. They are the joint-highest scorers in the league and have found a groove, with only one defeat in their last six league games.