Five reasons why Arsenal should beat Man Utd tonight

Arsenal/Manchester United, 7.45pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Arsenal have underperformed in their two previous semi-final matches this season but Arsene Wenger is confident that his side will deliver tonight and the statistics support him. And if Emmanuel Adebayor can keep his head out of the Milanese clouds for just 90 minutes, his partnership with Robin van Persie could make the difference:

Click here to claim a £25 no loss bet when backing Arsenal at 2.92 on Betfair. The Gunners are currently 4.4 to progress.

1. Arsenal have won two and drawn one of their three home games against Manchester United at the Emirates.

2. The Gunners are currently enjoying their best home form of the season having won six straight matches there.

Posted: May 5th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Why Arsenal can’t be written off despite losing the first leg

Five stats about this week’s Champions League semi-finals

1. Manchester United have scored on each of their three previous trips to the Emirates, despite only taking a point from those games.

2. However, Arsenal’s current home defensive record has been fantastic despite their injury problems. The Gunners have conceded just once in their last 12 games at the Emirates.

3. Arsene Wenger’s side have never failed to score in nine meetings with the Big Four sides at the Emirates. They have scored twice in each of their three home games there against Manchester United.

Posted: April 29th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Ten number-based stats to help you bet on tonight’s semi

Man Utd/Arsenal, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 2, Free Bets, Best Odds

0 - The number of losses Manchester United have suffered in their last 23 Champions League games.

1 - The number of victories Arsenal have claimed on their last six trips to Old Trafford. They have lost the other five.

2 - The number of times that Arsenal have faced fellow Premier League opposition in the Champions League prior to this - Chelsea in 2003-04 and Liverpool last season. On both occasions they were eliminated.

Posted: April 29th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 1 Comment

Man United’s overrated defence, John Terry’s unfortunate choice of words

Five stats about this weekend’s football

1. Four Manchester United players made the back five in the PFA team of the season despite the fact Chelsea have conceded an average of 0.59 goals a game compared to Manchester United’s 0.70 and have even kept more clean sheets - 21 to the Red Devils’ 20.

2. Middlesbrough have now lost ten consecutive Premier League away games although Arsenal’s 2-0 win yesterday marked the first time in six attempts that Arsene Wenger had got the better of Gareth Southgate.

3. Spurs have the best home defence in the Premier League having conceded just nine goals in 17 games. After their 5-2 loss to Manchester United though they have the joint-third worst defensive record on the road, shipping 32 goals in 17 games - only one less than West Brom.

Posted: April 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Arsene Wenger hunts for first win over Gareth Southgate

Arsenal/Boro, Sunday 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Arsenal are unbeaten in 19 league games while Middlesbrough have lost their last nine on the road so at first glance this looks like a home banker where the hosts’ 4/9 odds are fully justified. However, Gareth Southgate appears to know exactly how to set his team up when facing the Gunners:

» Southgate has faced Arsenal five times as a manager but has never been defeated - winning once and drawing four.

» The Gunners’ unbeaten run won’t intimidate Boro, who ended Arsenal’s 15 game unbeaten start to last season with a 2-1 win at the Riverside.

Posted: April 24th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Five reasons why Liverpool will beat Arsenal and go top

Liverpool/Arsenal, 8pm, Sky Sports 1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Arsenal are unbeaten in eighteen Premier League games and have won their last five but here are five reasons why Rafael Benitez could end both runs tonight to return Liverpool to the top of the table:

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1. Liverpool have beaten every other top five side in the league at Anfield.

2. The Reds have won their last five Premier League matches, scoring sixteen and conceding just one - from the penalty spot.

3. They have won three and drawn one of their four home league clashes with Arsenal under Benitez and are unbeaten in six meetings with the Gunners.

Posted: April 21st, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment