GUNNER be another comfortable home win for Arsenal

The future of Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino was unknown at the time of writing this preview. The Argentine boss was thought to be considering his position after his close friend and chairman of the Saints Nicola Cortese resigned after a dispute with the owners of the club over the future direction of the team. The Saints with or without the pair will line up at the Stadium of Light in the live lunchtime game (12:45, BT SPORT).

The presence of Gus Poyet has lifted Sunderland from the bottom and a win here would likely move them out of the bottom three . The Black Cats are 11/5 (betfred/BETVICTOR) to continue their run of three straight wins in all competitions including a 4-1 hammering of Fulham last time out against a Saints side with just one in their last eight away games.

With so many question marks it looks a tough game to call from a betting point of view though the 9/2 (SKYBET) are offering on Adam Johnson to score at anytime could be worth an interest following his hat-trick last weekend and the promise of Gus Poyet that the England man will see a lot of the ball in attacking areas.

Arsenal take on Fulham at the Emirates (15:00) in a London derby on Saturday and the home side are as short as 2/9 (GENERAL) for a sixth straight victory.

It is hard to see past the Gunners taking all three points here as they are in such good form and Fulham have a terrible record at Arsenal failing to win in any of their 27 previous visits. The 2/9 is too short so you might want to expand and you can get 4/6 (BETVICTOR/paddy Power/SPREADEX) Arsenal HT/Arsenal FT or 21/20 (BETVICTOR) the Gunners win to nil. This could be the way to play it as the North London side have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last eight games at home in all competitions. Those who think Fulham can put history behind them and build on their 3-0 FA Cup win over Norwich can back them at 14/1 (BETVICTOR/888 SPORT/unibet) while the draw is 23/4 (888 SPORT/unibet).

Tony Pulis will come up against his former side on Saturday (15:00) when his current Crystal Palace team take on his old Stoke team. Palace are the 11/8 (ladbrokes) for the game as they take on a Potters side who have no wins from their last eight away Premier League away games. The Eagles meanwhile have lost just one of the last five in front of their own fans, drawing two of these and the game to finish all square is on offer at 12/5 (TOTESPORT/betfred) while the Stoke away win is priced at 13/5 with BETVICTOR.

I think this will be a close game to call that could be decided by one goal either way if not ending in a draw so I will instead look at one of the side markets for my recommended bet. I think it might be worth an interest in both teams to score at 11/10 (CORAL). I know this game does not scream goals at first glance but look beyond at the numbers and you will see that this reprsents value. Palace have found the net in each of their last five against sides in the bottom half of the table while Stoke have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last seven. The Potters meanwhile have only failed to score in one of their last six and this was against Tottenham.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Arsenal to beat Fulham to nil, 21/20 (BETVICTOR)
SILVER: YES in both teams to score, Palace v Stoke, 11/10 (CORAL)
BRONZE: Adam Johnson to score anytime v Southampton, 9/2 (SKYBET)

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18/01/2014     © Frixo 2026