Arsenal vs Blackburn – Fit van Persie can destroy poor Blackburn
Published:Arsene Wenger is more than hopeful that Robin Van Persie will be fit to play against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday evening, and should he do so, Steve Kean’s side are in for a rough ride.
Van Persie has 10 goals in 10 games against Blackburn and 19 goals in his last 19 starts, the 8/13 for van Persie to score any time looks a solid money earner.
Match Odds
Arsenal are 1/4 to beat Blackburn and with a record that reads seven wins, one draw and one defeat in their last nine games, Arsenal look to be the banker of the weekend.
Blackburn are in serious danger of starting next season in the Championship and Steve Kean’s side are without a win in seven, and without an away victory in 2011.
Even at 11/1 there is no value in backing Blackburn, but on a weekend where the sides around them at the bottom of the table can pick up points, there is plenty of value in backing Blackburn in the relegation betting at 11/8.
Total Goals
This fixture has provided us with 22 goals in the last five meetings and Arsenal have scored 17 of them.
While over 2.5 goals may be short at 8/15, it seems the obvious bet and Arsenal’s clean sheet record – just one goal conceded at the Emirates in six games – may be under threat considering Blackburn have scored in each of their last three meetings with Arsenal.
A 4-1 Arsenal win is available at 14/1 but punters may find more value in finding the Blackburn goalscorer which is likely to come from a set-piece.
The Gunners have conceded 52% of their goals from set-pieces and Christopher Samba looks a great bet at 8/1 to score at any time as he is the club’s joint second top scorer.
A £20 stake on Arsenal beating Blackburn 4-1 would return £300. New customers can sign up here to get £60 in free bets.
