Andy's Saturday tips - Arsenal will recover
There's a big weekend of football to look forward to with three of the fiercest derbies in English football being played. Elsewhere, Manchester United travel to White Hart Lane, a tough trip for any Premier League team these days. Dropped points there will halt Sir Alex's fantastic recent run and be a huge fillip for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea. Not to mention Tottenham of course. First up is Saturday and six Premier League matches...
West Ham v Arsenal
After their respective cup results this week, there will be plenty who think West Ham can get a rare home win against a side that has often got the better of them in recent years.
As ever, though, we need to consider the context of those results. West Ham did okay in Tuesday's match, playing a good first half and showing plenty of spirit to score that second after conceding and going down to ten men. But Birmingham aren't the greatest travellers and a 2-1 deficit with the second leg still to come won't be seen as a disaster by Alex McLeish.
As for Arsenal, I know the likes of Cesc Fabregas made a rare Carling Cup appearance but they were still four or five players short of their best 11 and it was evidence of how they miss guys like Samir Nasri when he's not around; their play just lacked that extra bit of imagination and creativity they get when he's on the pitch. Besides, just like Birmingham, Arsenal know they've still got the return leg to come and will fancy their chances of progressing to the final.
West Ham have had a pretty good time of it since Christmas in all three competitions they've been involved in, bar their thrashing at the hands of Newcastle. But it's not easy for a team with a relatively small squad to put in another big performance for the second time in a week.
And with Arsenal bringing back their big guns, I can't really see the Hammers being able to live with an XI that has that little bit more class and guile about them.
Recommended Bets:
Back Arsenal to win at [1.6]
Back Arsenal to win 3-1 at [15.0]
Back over 2.5 goals at [1.85]
Andy's predictions for Saturday's 3pm kick-offs...
Chelsea v Blackburn
We don't see cricket scores from Chelsea in the Premier League anymore like we did earlier on in the season but they should be able to do enough to get a win and recover some lost confidence.
Recommended Bets: Back Chelsea to win at [1.3]; 2-1 at [11.0]
Manchester City v Wolves
They may not admit to it but that defeat at Molineux a few weeks back really hurt Manchester City and they'll be out for sweet revenge. I think they'll get it.
Recommended Bets: Back Manchester City to win at [1.36]; 3-0 at [10.0]
Stoke v Bolton
Bolton are the better side at the moment but at home Stoke can still raise their game from time to time and I fancy them to nick this.
Recommended Bets: Back Stoke to win at [2.22]; 1-0 at [8.0]
West Brom v Blackpool
West Brom will have to win this sort of match if they're to stay in this division and on this occasion, I think they will.
Recommended Bets: Back West Brom to win at [1.84]; 2-1 at [10.0]
Wigan v Fulham
I expect a share of the spoils between two teams who are evenly matched, as their points tallies suggest.
Recommended Bets: Back the draw at [3.3]; 1-1 at [7.2]
Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 14 Jan 2011
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