ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - WEST HAM UNITED V ARSENAL

English Premier

2009-10-25 - West Ham United vs Arsenal

A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner

West Ham United v Arsenal
Football: England, Premier League
Sunday 25th October 2009 - Kickoff 16:15

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West Ham (19th) Home : 0-1-2 5:7

West Ham have really struggling this season, after winning on opening day the hammers have gone 0-2-5 in the next seven league games.

Performances at home have been a bit better, with narrow defeats to Tottenham (1-2) and Liverpool (2-3) hardly awful performances, but the Hammers have simply been conceding too many goals.

There are rumours of a £100 million takeover of West Ham before the next transfer window, which should be good news in the longer term - but it's got to be unsettling to players right now.

Friday night Team News :
Scott Parker returns from a one-match ban for struggling West Ham, while Kieron Dyer (hamstring) could feature.

Mexico international forward Guillermo Franco is hoping for his debut after building his fitness in the reserves.

Arsenal (4th) Away : 2-0-2 10:7

Arsenal have been busy since getting back from the International break, and with a 3-1 win over Birmingham City, and a 1-1 draw with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the Champions League the performances were acceptable if not fully flowing.

Manager Arsene Wenger says that his young squad have the depth he needs to challenge for the title, and this is the sort of fixture that will test his theory as the Gunners have six players out injured - and this is a game that the Arsenal need to win to compete with the top four.

Captain Cesc Fabregas has stepped up in recent weeks, socring in three of the last six games, and providing half a dozen assists as well, and strike Robin Van Persie is benefiting from that.

Friday Night Team News :
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is fit again after six weeks out with a virus and is pushing for a recall.

Striker Eduardo is expected to return from injury, but Niklas Bendtner (groin) and Tomas Rosicky (knee) are doubtful.

Definately out Injured: Denilson (back), Djourou & Walcott (knee)

Head to Head

It's actually pretty even league meetings between West Ham and Arsenal in the Premier League over the last six seasons.

Arsenal have won on the last two trips to Upton Park, but even so, Arsenal's record here is only 2-3-1 in the last six.

The reverse fixture at Highbury / Emirates Stadium also underlines West Ham's quality, with Arsenal having a slight edge of three wins, one draw and two losses.

The Betting Verdict

West Ham had a good run of results over Arsenal 3-4 years ago, but I wouldn't call the Hammers a bogey side, as the good results were earned with some quality performances.

I'm not seeing that same touch of class from West Ham this season, although you have to applaud the way manager Gianfranco Zola is getting the Hammers to play.

But this Arsenal side look better, if still a little suspect defensively, and if Arsenal can score 2+ goals in this game then I think that they'll win.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

I'll back ARSENAL to win a well contested game.