Premier League Betting: Arsenal vs. Blackburn Rovers
by Nila Amerova
Arsene Wenger’s men are flush off a crucial Champions League group victory against Olympiakos to decide top spot in Group H. Arsenal beat the visiting Greeks 2:0 to take control of the group and now it is back to domestic duty as they look ahead to welcoming Blackburn Rovers to the Emirates Stadium in North London on Sunday. The Gunners need the win in this match to keep nipping at the heels of their title rivals.
Blackburn Rovers produced arguably the second most shocking result after Wigan’s win over Chelsea at the weekend when they nicked a home win over Aston Villa 2:1. As impressive the performance was and as deserving they are of all the mad props dished out for running away with the three points, it doesn’t change the fact that they have little to hope for in this match. The market’s grump-down is not an act of meanness but an exercise in sensibility. After all, they are still mired in the relegation fight and we are yet to see what they are really made of before jumping on their bandwagon.
Soccer Betting Line :
Arsenal -1½ -140 -450 3 O -105 U -115 Draw +475
Blackburn +1½ +120 +1200 3 O -105 U -115 Draw +475
Match Time: 08:30 A.M. Eastern Time Sunday October 3, 2009
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Soccer Betting Verdict: Free-scoring Arsenal outfit are tipped as the whopping favourites in the market to take the home win, listed at -450 at BetUS Sportsbook. The sixth placed Gunners are six points shy of league leaders Man U and Chelsea and three points shy of Liverpool, Tottenham and Man City – ranked third to fifth respectively. For Arsenal, gaining maximum points in this match is crucial to maintain pressure on the top quintet, if not to overhaul one or two of them. And with the momentum on their side and such an overwhelming price tag for the win they are expected to do just that.
Blackburn Rovers have struggled so much on the season that their surprise win over Aston Villa is considered a one-off. They enter at discouraging +1200 odds to win outright in this match and as they are not likely to get anything out of this match, sensible bettors will avoid those odds.
Soccer Free Picks: Arsenal -450 | Over 3 -105
