Wigan Vs Arsenal

This weekend we are treated to the first of four games that most sides will play in a bumper 12 days around the festive period. This first of these is the televised match Saturday lunchtime in which Wigan host Arsenal at the DW Stadium. 

Arsenal have had a troubled time so far this season. There has been fan unrest over stars being sold in the summer, indifferent league form, a Champions’ League Group runners up place (leading to being drawn against top seed and much fancied Bayern Munich) and the rather embarrassing Capital One Cup defeat away to League Two Bradford City last week. Having said all this Arsenal remain just two points behind North London rival Spurs in the battle for 4^th place. On top of this Arsenal have struggling Newcastle at home and then Southampton away to come, as well as what could be an important rest day on Boxing Day when their scheduled fixture at West Ham has fallen victim to a tube strike.

Wigan have lost five out of the last seven in the Premier League and have fallen into the bottom three and relegation dogfight for the first time this season. They started the season well enough but defensive frailties have cost them in recent weeks, conceding two or more goals in each of their last seven outings. 

The match odds show Arsenal as clear favourites, with Bet Victor the most generous at 4/5 on the away win. The draw is a tempting 11/4 with Bet365 while shopping around will give you as much as 4/1 (Betfred and Boylesports) on the home win. Arsenal destroyed Reading 5-2 on Monday night, however this is a Reading side who have lost six on the spin and Wigan should provide a bit more fight. A concern for Wigan is that the highly rated 20 year old Republic of Ireland International James Mcarthy is likely to be missing through injury. Mcarthy has been linked to all the big clubs in recent weeks and with him missing in the centre of midfield the likes of Carzola and Podolski may dominate possession.

We are finding this a tough one to call (although if we were pushed the draw at 11/4 looks overpriced) so are going to put our tips on some of the other markets. We really fancy a hat full of goals with both sides struggling defensively and neither side likely to sit back and play for a draw. Over 4.5 goals (i.e. 5 or more) is 7/2 with Paddy Power while for anyone feeling bold 6 or more goals is available at 15/2. It may make sense to put the bulk of your stake at shorter odds, and leave a little on the higher risk bet.

For the goalscorers markets we fancy Arouna Kone, available at 8/1 with Skybet. Arsenal rarely do things easily and Wigan’s top scorer Kone can be a real threat from set pieces where Arsenal have really struggled this season. Theo Walcott is 10/1 to score 2 goals or more with Coral, and provided he gets the nod in his now preferred central role, this could be good value for the pace he has to run at Wigan’s frail defence.

We also fancy corners in this game. Arsenal average nearly 7 corners a game and will be looking to hit Wigan on the break with their pace with plenty of wide play. Wigan chalked up an impressive 11 corners of their own in their last home game and will look to put Arsenal under pressure with balls into the box. This makes 11/8 from William Hill on over 12 corners look very appealing.

Liverpool Vs Fulham

The Saturday tea time game sees Fulham travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool.

Liverpool have a disappointing 22 points from 17 games so far sitting 12^th, with their last game a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa. Having said this new boss Brendan Rodgers seems to have convinced the fans, and media, to buy into his long term strategy. Liverpool will be buoyed by news this week of Raheem Sterling signing a new deal at the club. The exciting 18 year old was previously on a youth apprenticeship contract with other sides reportedly trying to lure him, however he has penned a deal to keep him at Anfield for the next five years.

Fulham have just 4 points from their last six matches and are in danger of slipping towards the bottom three, having said that a win at Anfield would see them leapfrog Liverpool, so tight is the middle of the table at the moment (Arsenal in 5^th are closer to the bottom three than they are to Man Utd at the top). Fulham’s last game in fact saw them become the first team to lose to QPR this season.

The match odds see Liverpool strongly fancied to bounce back from last week’s disappointment against Villa. They are best priced 4/7 (William Hill) with the draw 3/1 (Betfred) and Fulham as long as 6/1 (Bet Victor).

Fulham look out of sorts without long term injury casualty Brian Ruiz and a ban to Steve Sidwell will not help their chances of seeing much of the ball in midfield at Anfield. Liverpool have players like sterling, Cole, Shelvey and Suarez who will get the ball down and run at Fulham while Gerrard and Joe Allen can cover and control. We fancy Liverpool to win at ease and 10/3 from Skybet for Liverpool to win by 3 or more is appealing.

The draw half time, Liverpool full time is 10/3 with Ladbrokes and could be a good bet if you fancy Fulham to be resolute, or Liverpool to struggle to break Fulham down. We also fancy Liverpool to win to nil at 8/5 with Bet365 with Fulham likely to struggle to build much pressure on Liverpool’s goal.

Luis Suarez is way out ahead on his own in the first goal scorer market at 7/2 with Paddy Power to score first, however we like the look of Sterling to score and Liverpool to win at 7/2 with Bluesq looks a good shout. With Fulham such underdogs you might be tempted by a generous 10/1 on Berbatov to score first. The Bulgarian has looked sharp this season, and of course scored a hat trick against Liverpool, which included an overhead kick, back in his Manchester United days.

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