English Premier
2012-05-13 - West Brom vs Arsenal
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 13 May 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
West Brom
It could very much be a party atmosphere at the Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon as the fans get a chance to pay their respects to Roy Hodgson before he takes over as the England manager. Hodgson took charge of a West Brom team that looked on an inevitable slide back into the Championship, but he managed to help them preserve and then build on their Premier League status.
The Baggies would surely like to send Hodgson on his way with a top half finish, something they will gain if they avoid defeat and Sunderland fail to beat Manchester United at the Stadium of Light. That would secure 10th place in the Premier League for West Brom as they look to improve their 6-3-9 record at home where they have scored 19 goals and conceded 19.
The side have been in good form of late, losing just 1 of their last 6 Premier League games including going unbeaten in their last 4. West Brom have also found their feet at home to close out the season, losing just 1 of their last 6 here and picking up full points in 4 of those games. In fact, West Brom have kept clean sheets in 5 of their last 6 at home.
There are a number of injuries in the West Brom camp, with the likes of Chris Brunt, Peter Odemwingie and Jerome Thomas all doubtful, while Gabriel Tamas is expected back in the squad after being missing for personal reasons.
Arsenal
Slip ups in the final furlong means this game is absolutely huge for Arsenal and their chances of playing in the Champions League next season. They are likely to be finish in the top 4 regardless of other results on Sunday, but are in serious danger of finishing below Tottenham Hotspur who can overtake them with a win and Arsenal failing to win here.
That could lead to problems as it would drop Arsenal from 3rd to 4th in the Premier League table and a chance they miss out on the Champions League altogether if Chelsea win the competition next Saturday. They do bring in an 8-3-7 away record into this game, scoring 32 goals and conceding 30 in those games, meaning only the two Manchester clubs have won more games on their travels in the League.
Arsenal have failed to win any of their last 4 Premier League games, drawing the last 3 following a 1-2 loss to Wigan Athletic at the Emirates Stadium. The team have won 1 of their last 3 away games in the League, that coming at woeful Wolves, while they have failed to win at QPR and Stoke City in that mini-run.
Bacary Sagna unfortunately broke his leg last week and joins Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshire and Per Mertesacker as a long-term casualty. Theo Walcott is a doubt for this one, but both Andre Santos and Johan Djourou should win their race for fitness.
Head to Head
Arsenal thrashed West Brom 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season, but they have had a mixed record when visiting the Hawthorns in the Premier League.
The teams drew 2-2 here last season as Arsenal recovered from a 2-0 deficit, and that means the last 3 League games has now seen one of each result come out.
Prediction
This is a must win game for Arsenal to secure their top 3 position, but I think the layers are taking a chance by making them short odds to win this game considering West Brom are not going to roll over for them.
The Baggies will still be focused in ensuring Roy Hodgson goes out with a bang and not a whimper and I think there is every chance they can get a result in this one and open the door for Tottenham Hotspur to take the third spot in the table.
With this being the last game of the season, motivation can be hard to gauge, but there seems enough for West Brom to get on with and to secure a result and I will chance them to do so here.
Personally, I wouldn't go in too heavy on any of the games on the final day as the Euro Championships are just around the corner and motivation, or lack of, can seriously impair bets made.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
West Brom 1-1 Arsenal
