Premier League betting – Arsenal vs West Ham

Arsenal vs West Ham betting preview

Arsenal League Position: 2nd League Form: DLLWW

Arsenals league form had been erratic at best, from losing 3-2 at the Emirates to West Brom to winning 3-0 away from home against Manchester City. They have found themselves preforming well against the top sides while stuttering against the stragglers, with their 1-1 draw against Sunderland being prime evidence of this. However after this week’s 4-0 away from home thrashing of Newcastle by a relatively second string Arsenal side, they still look very decent title contenders and more than a match for the struggling West Ham.

Striker Robin Van Persie is still side-lined along with other key figures in the shape of Thomas Vermaelen and Manuel Almunia. Meaning that reserve goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski who last season was a symbol of Arsenals defensive frailties should step in. However it looks as if times have changed and in the last 4 games Fabianski has shown himself to be the keeper Wenger must have believed he was when he was signed meaning that Arsenals’ chances of keeping a clean sheet are far greater than they ever were.

Another key figure for Arsenal this season has been Samir Nasri, the 23 year old bagging 4 goals in his last 4 league games, so a flutter on him to be the first goal scorer with the odds at 9/1 on Paddy Power doesn’t look like a bad offer.

West Ham League Position: 20th League Form: DWDDL

West Ham’s position propping up the table doesn’t look like a promising one, especially when they are facing an in form team in the opposite region of the division. With a team largely built arounfd the talents of midfielder Scott Parker and relying on the defensive capabilities of fellow Englishmen and occasional world dup duffers Matthew Upson and Robert Green the Hammers are looking severely below par.

The arrival of Avram Grant looked promising at the beginning of the season; however the host of ex Pompey flops that have followed have done precious little to instil confidence. The strike partnership of Frederic Piquionne and Victor Obina has looked potent at times but this has been rare and mainly against teams in the lower half of the table. The 3-1 Home defeat of Stoke in the Carling Cup will definitely mean that the Hammers go into the next game with some confidence, with Scot Parker still producing most of the goals from midfield though a good bet could be for him to bag the last goal with a hefty 40/1 at Bet 365.

Match Predictions:

Correct Score: Arsenal 4-1 at 16/1 SkyBet
Samir Nasri: 1st Goalscorer at 9/1 Paddy Power
Last Goalscorer: Scott Parker at 40/1 Bet 365

By John Fernandez

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