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Cardiff City held Manchester United to a 2-2 draw last round thanks to a late goal, but Arsenal could prove to be an even tougher test for the welsh team. Can they spring another surprise after also beating Manchester City earlier in the season?
Cardiff is playing above their condition until now: the 15th place they are on with 3-4-5 record does not say much, but Cardiff gained respect for their results against the two Manchester sides. The objective input is that Cardiff has a very poor squad (second worst to Crystal Palace’s), but from time to time they manage impressive performances. On the other hand, Cardiff also produced a lot of poor matches, and overall their 15th place is an accurate representation on the way the team played so far this season. Cardiff’s untrustworthy defense might have problems against the passing game of Arsenal. Cardiff has a full squad available, but their record signing in the summer (Copenhagen striker Andreas Cornelius) is still not fit to start the game.
Cardiff City lineup (4-1-4-1): Marshall – Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, Taylor – Medel – Cowie, Mutch, Whittingham, Odemwingie – Campbell.
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Arsenal has recovered well after the Manchester United defeat, and recorded two easy 2-0 wins against Marseille and Southampton, two solid sides. There is no question that the gunners will be in the title conversation this season – they have 4 points ahead of the 2nd placed team and especially they are playing very good. Wenger finally put a championship – caliber team together again. Much of this can be attributed to the signing of Ozil, but also Arsenal has arguably the best cohesion in the Premier League, both between players and the coaching staff. Arsenal generally took care of matches against weaker sides this year, with very few unpleasant surprises (actually the 1-1 at West Brom was the only one – except the first round 1-3 vs. Aston Villa). Arsenal is without Diaby, Oxlade Chamberlaine, Podolski and Sanogo. One might say that they haven’t been this healthy in years.
Arsenal lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny – Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs – Arteta, Flamini – Walcott, Özil, Ramsey – Giroud.
Arsenal is of course the better team, but the most important fact in this game is that Cardiff does not have the depth and strength to play two consecutive excellent matches against the top sides in the league. After defeating Manchester City at the beggining at the season they failed to win for three games. Basically after every good result, they had a string of poor matches. At the same time Arsenal seems more efficient and clever than ever this season. The Gunners know what a huge game this is in the fight for the title and they will put all their experience at work to assure they get a win over an inferior side. Cardiff has not been as strong as expected at home (2-2-2 record) so I reckon Arsenal will take this.
Pick an away win – a couple of goals are also expected but the visitors could keep a clean sheet and ruin the bets on goals. The odds on the Gunners are not the best for sure, but I for one will choose to go with safety rather than value for this bet. Cardiff City – Arsenal 0-2.
Pick: Arsenal
Odds: 1.62 @ Unibet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 4.96
Event date: 30 November
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