[Mario]

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
12/4/2014

Arsenal vs Southampton

Home - Arsenal
Last away matches - W-L-W-W-L-W

Arsenal FC have been wildly unpredictable this season. Just as it looks like they are in full crisis mode, they string together impressive results. And just as it looks like they are in top form, they disappoint with a limp effort. This teeter-totter play will have the stress levels of thousands of Gunner fans soaring, and one wonders if they won’t suffer another letdown after a strong week. While they did fall to Manchester United for their first PL home defeat in their last 24 matches, they admittedly played rather well in that match and arguably should’ve taken a share of the points. But those woes have been left behind as unlikely hero Yaya Sanogo scored his first competitive goal for Arsenal in their 2:0 Champions League triumph over Borussia Dortmund, and last weekend saw Danny Welbeck get back on track against West Brom as his lone-goal match winner sealed all 3 points for the North Londoners. Now they enter the midweek in 6th place with a chance to further propel themselves up the table. However, they come up against a very good Southampton team that has already eliminated the hosts from the Capital One Cup this season, and while we suspect the tables will be turned here in league action, the going won’t be easy for Arsene Wenger and his men. But it must be noted that in Laurent Koscielny’s first game back from injury, they earned their 4th clean sheet of the season.

Away - Southampton
Last away matches - D-W-W-L-W-W

Southampton FC have come back down to earth a bit after their flying start to the season, and it’s starting to look as if talk of a potential top 5 finish was rather premature. A limp 1:1 draw with Aston Villa was a bit disappointing considering the Villains were without arguably their top 3 players as well as their top 3 centre-backs. They followed that up last time out with a 0:3 defeat at home to Manchester City. They conceded more goals in that match than they had all season at the St. Mary’s Stadium, and confidence will surely have taken a hit as the players question whether they are legitimate top 5 contenders or not. However, they still sit in 3rd place and are very much a threat to the traditional top clubs. They have already knocked Arsenal out of the Capital One Cup this season behind a blistering rocket of a goal from breakout right-back Nathaniel Clyne. The Englishman should be able to give the Gunners problems down the flank, especially considering both Arsenal left-backs are dealing with knocks and likely won’t be at 100%. Nevertheless, striker Graziano Pelle has cooled off a bit since a patch of torrid form, and considering the fact that they will be facing a revenge-minded Arsenal side, the Saints may not have enough firepower to avoid their second consecutive defeat.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-0.75)
Away - (+0.75)
Pick - Arsenal (-0.75)
Odds - 2.04
Stakes - 10/10
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ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
12/4/2014

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur

Home - Chelsea
Last away matches - D-W-W-D-W-D

Cesc Fabregas along with Diego Costa has been the best summer signing this season and his partnership with his compatriot has been one of the reasons for Chelsea being at the top of the table. Even though the Brazil-born striker will miss out on Wednesday, the former Arsenal midfielder will be looking to exploit a nervy Tottenham backline as they try to repel wave after wave of Chelsea pressure. Fabregas has is one half of the best central midfield partnerships this season along with Nemanja Matic and has already bagged a league highest 10 assists in only 13 games, well on his way to break Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in 2002/03. With an 89.4% passing accuracy in the league Fabregas has dominated games with his intelligence and movement, creating 43 chances for his teammates along the way, an average of 3.3 per game. He has completed 989 passes this season and will be looking to playing against Spurs, something that he relished during his time with the Gunners.

Away - Tottenham Hotspur
Last away matches - W-W-W-L-D-D

The Danish international has netted two goals in his last two Premier League appearances and is finally starting to show signs of the tremendous potential he was touted as having from his Ajax days in the past few weeks. With five goals in the league so far, he is Tottenham’s second highest goal scorer behind Nacer Chadli. The 22-year-old has created 25 chances for his teammates though he is yet to get an assist, while registering a pass accuracy of 83.6% and a shot accuracy of 53%. He was also monumental in his side’s 2-1 win over Everton with his defensive work down the left flank, and would be required to do more of the same against the likes of Fabregas to help out his midfield that will be stretched on Wednesday.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-1.00)
Away - (+1.00)
Pick - Tottenham Hotspur (+1.00)
Odds - 2.26
Stakes - 10/10