English Premier
2009-03-14 - Arsenal vs Blackburn Rovers
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: England, Premier League
Saturday, 14th March 2009 - Kickoff 15:00
Arsenal
Arsenal come back from their successful trip to Rome with 4th place in the Premier League back on the agenda.
Recent weeks have seen the Gunners improve their record to 13-10-5 over the course of the season which leaves them 3 points behind Aston Villa who currently occupy the 4th spot. A win here would see Arsenal leapfrog Villa.
Arsenal are 7-5-2 at home, scoring 18 goals and conceding 11. While only Manchester United and Liverpool have lost less games at home this season than the Gunners, the problems they have at the Emirates is highlighted by the fact that they have scored less goals at home than bottom club West Brom.
Arsenal were unbeaten in 17 games before they lost in Rome in 90 minutes. They are, however, unbeaten in 18 domestic games in all competitions. Arsenal have been struggling to win games in the Premier League of late, drawing 5 of their last 6. They have also drawn their last 3 home Premier League games.
Eduardo has been ruled out of this game by Arsene Wenger. Arsenal's injury problems are beginning to clear up but they should still be missing Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor here.
Blackburn Rovers
Sam Allardyce has his Blackburn side playing in the same mould as his former Bolton side and they have the same grit and determination to grind out results.
Rovers have moved up to 15th in recent weeks as they look to preserve Premier League football in this part of North West England.
Their record is 7-9-12 and this is a respectable 4-4-6 away from home where they have scored 17 goals while conceding 23. At the moment, Blackburn have a 2 point cushion over Portsmouth in 18th.
Blackburn have only been beaten 2 times in their last 11 Premier League games, once at Manchester United and one at home to Aston Villa, but they have picked up 7 points from their last 3 games. Rovers have only lost 1 of their last 5 Premier League games away from home and they have actually won their last 2 on their travels.
Paul Robinson should continue in goal after he returned from a recent injury against Fulham on Wednesday.
Head to Head
Arsenal managed to win 0-4 at Blackburn earlier this season to increase their winning record over Rovers to 3 in a row.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 6 games at home against Blackburn and have actually won 5 of those games.
Prediction
Arsenal will look to continue on their quest to ensure Champions League football for next season and will see this as a big chance to strike a pyschological blow against Aston Villa by overtaking them in the League with a win here.
Blackburn have been in good form in the League of late, and have managed to climb out of the relegation places. They have been playing well and gave United a fright at Old Trafford recently. Another performance like that will be required.
Allardyce used to give Arsenal real issues with his Bolton side and I expect Blackburn to play in a very similar vein. After 120 minutes and penalties in midweek, and then having to travel back to London, Blackburn may well have an edge here to keep the game close at the very least.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Arsenal 1-1 Blackburn Rovers (Possibly 2-1)
