English Premier
2007-03-03 - Arsenal vs Reading
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
ARSENAL
Arsenal's young and inexperienced squad have been exposed over the last fortnight with three cup defeats at the hands of PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea and Blackburn.
It's not that Arsenal were outplayed in any of these games, the Gunners more than held their own in all three matches, but they failed to take the chances offered and then were beaten by quality goals from the opposition.
It happens sometimes, but it happens more often to kids, and while I understand that Arsene Wenger's "youth first" approach is forced upon him by the escalating transfer prices for experienced players, Arsenal also have to acknowledge the football fan phrase "you don't win anything with kids" has a basis in fact.
Back to the league this weekend, and the benefit of home advantage at the Emirates Stadium - where Arsenal have started to make winning a frequent habit.
Arsenal Home Form (8-5-0 32:10)
11/02/07 W 2-1 v Wigan
21/01/07 W 2-1 v Man_Utd
02/01/07 W 4-0 v Charlton
23/12/06 W 6-2 v Blackburn
16/12/06 D 2-2 v Portsmouth
02/12/06 W 3-0 v Tottenham
UPDATE
Theirry Henry is definately out - and that will hit Arsenal's chances by about 10% - and Baptista and Aliadiere are less than clinical in their finishing.
READING
Reading were in action themselves in midweek, losing an FA Cup replay 2-3 to Manchester United after enduring a horror opening 6 minutes when they conceded three quick goals to kill off the match.
Reading's rise to 6th in the table is a testament to their attacking style, as the promoted side have the 5th highest goals scored tally in a continuation of the same play they showed in the Championship last season.
Reading Away Form (4-3-7 16:20)
24/02/07 L 1-2 v Middlesbrough
03/02/07 W 2-0 v Man_City
14/01/07 D 1-1 v Everton
30/12/06 L 2-3 v Man_Utd
26/12/06 D 2-2 v Chelsea
09/12/06 D 0-0 v Watford
HEAD TO HEAD
Arsenal cruised to a 4-0 win in the reverse fixture at Reading earlier in the season.
THE VERDICT
Arsenal cannot afford to rest players in this game - as they sit in 4th place with Bolton close behind - and the Gunners need to stop the run of losses with a positive result.
So Wenger will have to field as strong a line-up as possible and Arsenal will aim to kill this game off early and perhaps make second half substitutions.
The Pick :
Arsenal 3-1 Reading
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll take ARSENAL to win at a bigger price than I expected.And I might also be tempted into a bet on ARSENAL / ARSENAL in the HT/FT market as I expect a faster start from the home side in this match.
OVER 2.5 GOALS also looks like a very valid play too.
