Betdistrict.com
After just reaching the FA Cup final after a penalty win against Wigan, Arsenal will face another key game as they have dropped out of the TOP 4 in the Premier League. West Ham will come to Emirates knowing they are safe from relegation.
Arsenal is playing really poor at the moment, the worst football they played all season. The Gunners have failed to win any of their last 5 matches but even so, they will have great morale for today`s game after qualifying in the FA Cup final over Wigan due to a penalty shootout a couple of days ago. After losing 3-0 at Goodison Park in the last Premier League round Arsenal is now 5th in the standings, 1 point behind Everton. Missing the Champions League for the first time in ages would be a disaster for the Gunners, so the hosts can’t afford any more wrong steps.
West Ham is in very good form lately, playing excellent football in the last 3 games, winning 2 of them and barely losing 1-2 to Liverpool last time out on the back of 2 penalties scored by Gerrard. The visitors seemed like a sure bet to relegate earlier this season, but a great run in the last 2 months saw them rise to the 11th place in the table, 7 points above the relegation zone. West Ham does not have too much left to play for in this end of the season but the fact that this is a London derby might fire them up.
 |
Wide betting coverage and best asian handicap market at Sbobet. Register now to get great odds and a 150 euro welcome bonus! |
Team news & lineups
Arsenal is again decimated by injuries, but this time things are looking really bad, with up to 12 players potentially being unavailable. Ozil, Flamini, Miyaichi, Gnabry, Walcott, Wilshere and Diaby are definitely out, while Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Koscielny, Monreal and Podolski are questionable. West Ham will miss Borriello, McCartney and O’Brien, while Collins and Nolan are doubtful.
Arsenal: Szcczesny – Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs – Ramsey, Arteta – Rosicky, Cazorla, Podolski – Giroud.
West Ham: Adrián – Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Armero – Downing, Noble, Diame, Taylor, Jarvis – Carroll.
I picked Arsenal to get a result both against Everton (x2) and against Wigan (-1,25 handicap) and I was dead wrong every time. Coming into this game I was thinking West Ham +1,5 looks good, but after the analysis and looking at the odds I will go with the Gunners yet again. Indeed, West Ham is in better form right now and Arsenal is playing poor, but aside from that do the visitors really have any other edge? You might argue injuries but Arsenal’s first 11 looks pretty strong, you might argue fatigue but at this level I doubt that is the case.
West Ham hasn`t beaten Arsenal in 11 games and will come into this match lacking any kind of motivation (only the derby factor will fire them up to some extent), while the hosts are desperate for points. Also, no matter how bad their results were recently, Arsenal has been a force to be reckoned with at home this season. In the last 18 games at the Emirates Arsenal only lost to Bayern Munchen and posted a statline of 12 wins, 5 draws and 1 defeat. Last time out at home, Arsenal nearly defeated Manchester City (1-1), despite them being in deep crisis. The hosts will revert to winning ways sooner rather than later and with their current morale I fancy them doing it today. Anything else but a win would almost surely see Arsenal missing a Top 4 spot and I doubt that will happen. My tip is Arsenal -1,25 asian handicap, with the home court advantage being my main argument for this bet. Arsenal struggled to break down crowded defenses lately but the fact that West Ham has no pressure should help the Gunners find open spaces and cover the handicap. After a thorough analysis I am very confident in this pick, so high stakes. Prediction: Arsenal – West Ham United 2-0.
Pick: Arsenal (-1,25 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.99 @ Sbobet
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 8.91
Event date: 15 April
