ENGLISH FA CUP BETTING PICK - ARSENAL V PLYMOUTH

English FA CUP

2009-01-03 - Arsenal vs Plymouth

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Analysis:

Arsenal comes into this match with the aim to qualify to the fourth round of the FA Cup by beating lower league opposition in the form of Plymouth Argyle when they meet at The Emirates Stadium.

For the record, under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal are unbeaten against teams outside the Premier League with their last FA Cup upset coming against Sheffield United way back in January 1996.

As for Plymouth, last season they were beaten by eventual winners Portsmouth and the season before they managed to reached the last eight of the competition.

However, they do not have a good record against teams from the top flight is not impressive with their last win coming against West Brom in the fifth round way back in 1984.

Arsene Wenger is likely to field a strong side here instead of a young side and that could mean Emmanuel Adebayor will start upfront since he did not feature in the high scoring 2-2 draw with Aston Villa as he was suspended.

Adebayor had Nicklas Bendtner as his striking partner for Arsenal's 1-0 win over Portsmouth and they are likely to be retained although Robin van Persie could see action at some stage of the match. The likes of Eduardo or Carlos Vela could also be brought on if Wenger wants to give them a feel of the FA Cup.

Wenger could also give a rare start to Jack Wilshere who is a youngster in the team. However, the likes of Gavin Hoyte and Jay Simpson will not be available after they have been loaned out to Watford and West Brom respectively.

Norwegian defender Havard Nordtveit has returned to Arsenal after a poor loan spell with Spanish outfit Salamanca and he could find himself in Arsenal's starting line up if Arsene Wenger decides to throw him on and rest his first choice defenders.

The likes of Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky all remain long-term casualties for Wenger while Alex Song (thigh) and Johan Djourou are unlikely to start this match after just recovering.

As for Plymouth, defender David Gray,who has just joined on loan from Manchester United could be given a start here. He will compete with Mat Doumbe for the right-back slot in place of David McNamee, who is suspended for this match. Midfielder Simon Walton is also suspended for this match.

On-loan Blackburn forward Paul Gallagher should start this match havign recovered from a knee injury, while Emile Mpenza has recovered but the Belgian International will start from the bench.

Striker Rory Fallon as well as captain Karl Duguid will return to the starting lineup after having missed their last match at Ninian Park. There is also the chance that young left winger Craig Noone could feature after having played well in the 2-0 home win over Southampton on Boxing Day.

Take Arsenal to win and give the 1 3/4 ball away here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Arsenal to win this match.