Preview

There are a lot of sceptics who think that Arizona will suffer from a SuperBowl hangover after coming so close to winning the big prize last season. However, any side that has the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Antoin Boldan and Kurt Warner are going to put up points.

The big key for the Cardinals will be if the defence plays as they did in the playoffs rather than their regular season performances.

Arizona won the NFC West en route to the SuperBowl. They finished the regular season with a 9-7 record and were 6-2 here. The Cardinals had a decent, if unspectacular, 7-5 record against other NFC teams but were 6-0 against their divisional rivals.

Boldan is a doubt for Sunday but is expected to pass a fitness test to start.

San Francisco will be hoping to return to their glory days. The number 1 pick a few years ago in Alex Smith set this side back a couple of steps but they are in a division where they can make an impact. Arizona are the strongest team in this division, so a win here could bode for brighter things for the 49ers.

San Francisco actually finished 2nd in the NFC West last season with their 7-9 record and they will know the 2 defeats to Arizona cost them a chance of winning the division. The 49ers were 3-5 on the road last season, and were 5-7 against the rest of the NFC.

Shaun Hill will get the start as Quarter Back for the 49ers and Frank Gore can expect to see a lot of carries at Running Back.

Statistics

Arizona won both meetings against San Francisco last season including a 29-24 win here. The Cardinals have won 3 of their last 4 meetings with the 49ers.

Another concern for the 49ers to think about is their 2-6-1 record against the spread against fellow NFC teams.

Prediction

Arizona may be disappointed with the way their season ended but there is a lot of confidence that they can move forward and get back to the SuperBowl this season. They have plenty of offense available to them and will still put up big points.

San Francisco know they were not too far away from winning the NFC West last season so will be confident coming into this game. I expect them to rely very much on their running game to ensure that Hill manages the game in his Quarter Back role.

I dont subscribe to the view that Arizona will struggle this season after the highs of last year. This is an intriguing game for them at home, and I believe they will put on a show and win this game while covering the spread.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Arizona Cardinals 31-17 San Francisco 49ers

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Arizona Cardinals -6.5 points