Chelsea v Arsenal-Tips

All the key facts and stats ahead of the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba has scored 12 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competitions against Arsenal.

The Gunners have only been able to win two of their last 17 matches against Chelsea.

Arsenal have won more times away at Chelsea (6) than any other team in the Premier League era.

Nicolas Anelka has scored seven goals in his last 11 Premier League starts against Arsenal.

Arsenal’s recent record against Chelsea and Manchester United since their win at Stamford Bridge in November 2008: P9 W0 D1 L8 F5 A20.

Chelsea have fired in more shots on target than any other team (47), ahead of Arsenal with the second-highest tally of 41.

Both goals Chelsea have conceded have been from shots from outside the box.

Mike Dean has awarded five penalties in the last seven games that he has taken charge of a Chelsea match in the Premier League.

Andrey Arshavin has created 3.33 goalscoring chances per game in the Premier League this season, more than any other player in the league.

Michael Essien has averaged 95 touches per game this season, more than any other top-flight player.

I am sure you can decide who to place your bet on at Naijabet.com

International Football Tips

Tips,

I’m sure you’ve all heard of a booze cruise…

If you haven’t – it’s a short trip abroad to take advantage of lower prices on goodies such as alcohol and cigarettes.

With this in mind, let me introduce the ‘profit picnic’…

A short trip to Europe, where we take advantage of a number of international gimmies, with the aim of returning with a tasty profit.

So, let’s begin our journey…

Now, as Nigerian, I’m a big fan of international football.

Not so much the watching England lose side…

But certainly the betting side.

You see, the term “there’s no easy game in world football” just doesn’t apply when it comes to a number of these matches.

Estonia are never going to qualify for a major championship…

San Marino are never going to win a game…

And the most famous Kazakhstani is a British comedian.

In domestic football, accumulators are widely referred to as ‘a mugs game’ and the ‘bookies favourite’ but in international football, everything changes.

Providing you don’t go overboard, there are some nice profits to be made on some very big miss-matches on NaijaBet.

The Faroe Islands, Albania, Belarus and Armenia.

If that’s not enough to whet your appetite, then I may as well give up now.

An early entrée

A quick word of warning about this – you need to place the bet by 4pm this afternoon.

That’s the time when the first selection, the Republic of Ireland, kick-off.

The Irish travel to Armenia to take on a nation that are ranked 96th in the world and came unstuck in their previous home match, against the might of Iran, 3-1.

As you may have heard, the Republic were a tad unfortunate to miss out on the World Cup and look a very tidy outfit under Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

They will be keen to get their qualifying campaign off to a strong start and should brush the Armenians aside with the minimum of fuss.

Next up are Serbia, who kick off in the Faroe Islands at 6pm.

The Serbians were many people’s dark horses to win the World Cup and while they may not have lived up to that impressive billing, their tournament wasn’t a complete disaster…

In fact, they were the only team (bar Spain) to beat the Germans…

Vidic and co also had a good record in reaching the main event and finished above France in qualifying for the World Cup.

They take on the Faroes who, barring an amusing 2-2 draw with Scotland back in 2002, have had about as much success as an X-Factor reject.

Dinner and dessert

For the main course, we’re off to Romania for a 7pm kick-off against Albania.

Romania are quite similar to the Republic of Ireland, in that they don’t always qualify for major tournaments but they are usually there or thereabouts.

Last time they met Albania on home turf (in Euro 2008 qualifying) Romania won 6-1 and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t see a similar result this time, against a side that managed just one win and six goals in World Cup qualifying.

Finally, we round off our bet with the not so sweet French.

France may have been a complete and utter shambles in South Africa but a lot has happened since then.

With a new manager in charge and the main perpetrators suspended, Les Bleus should be set for a decent qualifying campaign.

As such, odds of 1/3 for a home win over Belarus should be gobbled down like a Christmas turkey.

These are longer odds than are being offered for England to beat Bulgaria and Bulgaria are 35 places ahead of Belarus in the world rankings.

In order to place this bet, head over to NaijaBet

Best wishes.

Tips: Liverpool v Arsenal

Liverpool (2.5) Draw (3.3) Arsenal (3)
Liverpool have started their competitive season already with 2 games in the Europa League. They are looking a lot better this season and with the new signings I expect them to do a better. Arsenal have been tipped again by many to run close to winning the league. I am not too sure. They are over rated in my eyes and they showed it at the end of last season. I am looking at the odds here for a Liverpool win and I can’t believe they are 2.5. Arsenal did the double over Liverpool last year so maybe that explains it but this year they have a new mananger and some great new signings. Liverpool win for me, its 2.5 at VC Bet. Another bet worth considering is both teams to score. Thats 2.0 at bluesquare. Looking at the stats, in the last 10 games, it would have come in 9 times.

Latest Tip: Football Betting Tips

Tottenham (2.4) Draw (3.4) Manchester City (3.1)
Its the new big 4 team vs the wannabe big for team. Harry Redknapp has more or less kept the same side whereas Manchester City have pulled out the chequebook again. This is a tricky fixture to call. Man City will have problems getting the new signings all working together. Their pre-season was pretty poor. Its going to be hard for Mancini to get them all working together on day one. After Christmas maybe when the team has gelled I could make a good case for City. This fixture has been kind for Spurs over the years. Its been 2-1 5 times in a row only to have been broken last year 3-0. I’ll go for Spurs here. If they are going to build on last years achievement then this is the type of game they have to win. Its 2.4 at William Hill.

Aston Villa (2) Draw (3.4) West Ham (4.3)
Last week this game had a totally different dimension. With O’Neil leaving, it leaves Villa with no manager. This has pushed the odds out for Villa. They were as low as 1.62 before O’Neil’s departure. Villa have made new signings to its going to be the same team that finished 6th. West Ham are in the rebuilding stage. With Avram Grant at the helm this year they probably won’t be staring relegation in the face like last season. I can see why the odds have gone up on Villa but I am not sure I agree with that. Its the same team but with O’Neil. I think that Villa at even money at naijabet is a pretty good price considering.

Blackburn (3) Draw (3.3) Everton (2.5)
I think that Blackburn will struggle this season. They were fortunate to finish 10th last season and with no new significant signings it will be hard not to get pulled in to the relegation battle. Everton finished strongly last season and are expected to do better than the 8th they finished last season. If they hadn’t has the slow start last season they could well have been in the Champions League. As no team has significantly changed I’ll make my prediction on what would have happened if this game was played at the end of last season. I think a draw. Its also nice its the biggest price on the coupon too. 3.3 at William Hill.

Bolton (2.3) Draw (3.3) Fulham (3.5)
Bolton look like they are going to have a better season this year. Owen Coyle steered them away from relegation last year and has built significantly on his squad. Fulham have a new manager in Mark Hughes who must be kicking himself for taking that job now the Villa job is available. Saying that, Fulham are a decent side and have progressed much over the last 2 years. In terms of betting, this is one of the trickier fixtures to call. I am not too keen on Bolton at 2.3 at home to a decent Fulham side but then again I am not too keen on 3.5 on a Fulham side that won once away from home all season. I’ll plump for the draw again at 3.3 at William Hill

Sunderland (2.25) Draw (3.4) Birmingham (3.6)
What happened to Sunderland last season was a mystery. They started strong but a bad run at the end meant they finished nearer the bottom that the top. They have sold one part of their striking partnership in Kenwyne Jones but still have Darren Bent. He was injured for the England game midweek but looks like he’s going to start. Birmingham over achieved last season I think. I can’t see them doing what they did last season again. Betting wise its a tricky one and any result wouldn’t be too much of a surprise. You can sign up to NaijaBet to place your bet.

Wigan (1.83) Draw (3.6) Blackpool (5)
The first odds on game of the weekend. Who would have thought that Wigan would ever be odds on to anyone in the Premiership? Their opponents are Blackpool though that are 1.29 to get relegated. If Wigan fail to win this they will struggle this year. Blackpool have a few things on their side. They more or less have the same side which came up. Hull came up a couple of seasons ago and started off flying. If they are going to win any games away from home this season this could well be it. I still expect Wigan to win this though but not willing to back it. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I back Wigan at odds on in the Premiership.

Wolverhampton (2.4) Draw (3.3) Stoke (3.3)
Wolves have strengthened their side with new signings Jelle van Damme, Steven Fletcher and Steven Mouyokolo who are all expected to start. Unknown players to me but Jelle van Damme has got to have the coolest name in the Premiership. Kenwyne Jones is Stoke’s big summer signing which could be good for them. They’ve never had an out and out striker relying more on set pieces to get their goals. Betting wise this is another tricky call. I think under 2.5 goals is nailed on but at 1.63 best price at Bet365 it doesn’t seem worth it. I think the draw at 3.3 looks the best bet. I am weary of picking too many draws though after last seasons total lack of draws early on. Its 3.3 at Totesport anyway.

Chelsea (1.18) Draw (7.5) West Brom (21)
Banker of the weekend possibly. I am not too sure myself. Chelsea will more than likely win this but at 1.18 its not a price that I’ll be backing as a single. Last season they had an easy game against Hull and it took a late goal from Drogba to win it. Their pre-season hasn’t been good, most noticeably losing to Manchester United in the Community Shield. If you lose at a short price its much more painful that losing at a big price. I think the Chelsea to win to nil at 1.8 at bluesquare
is a much better bet. The bookie is saying that its 4 times less likely that Chelsea win than it is for them to win to nil. That can’t be right.