Arsenal V Birmingham

Arsenal V Birmingham

On New years day I had Manchester down for big stakes to beat Birmingham and cover the handicap. Well they didn’t and United won 1 – 0. But, it was a very poor United display in which they never really got into the game and Fergie criticised the United support afterwards for being so quiet. Well its Arsenal’s turn today to face Birmingham on their own patch but I’m confident that Arsenal can make up a 2 goal-winning margin. Arsenal were lucky to take a draw from their midweek fixture against Tottenham in the carling cup. However that has to be said that it was a reserve team that Wenger put out and you can be sure that he will have a much stronger team out today. He does have some injury worries to contend with though, as Senderos is out, Eboue, Song and Toure are away at the African Nations Cup and Van Persie has the flu.

Birmingham sit in 16th place flirting dangerously with the drop zone. They have taken 7 from a possible 33 on the road and have scored 10 and conceded 20 goals along the way. They are a hard team to judge because they are so unpredictable. They put in a great battling performance away at Old Trafford10 days ago and then went out of the FA Cup without a whimper, losing to lowly Huddersfield Town. They are not affected by the African Nations Cup and have a full squad to chose from with the exception of Damien Johnson who must wear a skullcap after a collision a few weeks ago.

Verdict
Arsenal are missing a few today but any time they have Fabregas on board they will be ok. The Emirates is a fine open space and perfect for Arsenal’s wide attacking play. Birmingham have failed to score in half of their away games this year while Arsenal have kept 6 clean sheets at the Emirates. Arsenal just have too much class and a 2 or 3 – 0 win should be on the cards.

Arsenal –1.5 ( 1.81 @ mansion) 5 points