Burnley V Arsenal Betting – Wednesday 16th December

Burnley V Arsenal

Wednesday 16^th December – 19:45 GMT

Burnley

League Position: 13th

Recent Form: DDLLD

Owen Coyle will be pondering yet another master-stroke as his Burnley side go in search of yet another big scalp when Arsenal come to Turf Moor in midweek. Burnley, who have already beaten both Man Utd and Everton at home this season, will be eager to not only add Arsenal to their ever-gorinw famous collection but to also add some vital points onto the board after only managing three points from their previous five outings in the league.

Could Burnley really be the next Hull City? After a fabulous start to the season which seen them claim the early scalp of the champions, Man Utd, Burnley’s fortunes have taken a big turn for the worse after a win less run of five games, although we should bare in mind that three of those were away fixtures. Nevertheless, we can’t keep making up excuses for Burnley’s poor away showings and with this, Burnley are piling yet more pressure on themselves to pick up more points at home. The pressure does appear to be getting to them as it’s now been two home games without a win for Burnley after Fulham held them to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Like most news clubs that enter into the Premiership, their best performances tend to come at home in front of a capacity crowd. This has been the case for Burnley this season with 17 of their 18 points all coming at Turf Moor. The pressure on them attacking as many points at home as they can is becoming too much and playing at home could soon turn into a burden. After losing seven of eight on the road, the press are already pinning Burnley’s survival hopes on their home form and the Burnley players have obviously felt the pressure as they’ve failed to win at Turf Moor in their last two appearances there, drawing 1-1 with Aston Villa and Fulham.

Burnley are without a win at home since October, with a 2-0 win over a hapless Hull City their last home success. They’ve been restricted to just one goal in their previous two home outings and it does appear the novelty affect it’s wearing off around Turf Moor. This is a make or break part of the season for Burnley as this was the time when Hull City’s reality check of last season firmly smacked them in the face. For now, Burnley have a small cushion over the stragglers, but a poor Christmas would see them drop right into the mixer within no time. Defeat against Arsenal could pave the way for a tricky new year.

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: WLLWW 

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal’s victory at Anfield on Sunday, over a full-strength Liverpool, has lifted the Gunners right back into the title chase. To be fair, after watching both Chelsea and Man Utd at the weekend, we wouldn’t disagree but it’s putting together a run for form without an out-an-out striker that’s our biggest concern but perhaps Turf Moor could be the setting for an Arsenal resurgence.

The victory over Liverpool will have lifted the spirit in the Arsenal camp but they weren’t at their glistening best, although we doubt Arsene Wenger will give a damn about that. The three points was all that mattered in a game where Arsenal were extremely sloppy in the first 45 minutes but very comfortable in the latter exchanges. Arshavin, one of the best buys we think Arsene Wenger has made in his thirteen year spell at the club, scored Arsenal’s winner and after impressing up front in that lone striker role, despite his height disadvantage, we expect the pacey Russian to start in the same role at Burnley.

Wenger would be foolish to change a winning set up and we hope Arshavin gets what he deserves in another forward starting role at the expensive of Eduardo, who has disappointed when given the opportunity this season. In this set up, Arsenal looked very dangerous when they did stride forward, although, when Arshavin isn’t being used as a winger, Arsenal do lose that bit of spark and guile down the left wing and, although Arsenal did score twice, they didn’t create very many clear cut chances. Samir Nasri struggled, while Cesc Fabregas was non-existent for most of the game, so maybe Arshavin will be dropped back a little deeper to aid a lost Arsenal midfield.

Arsenal have been far more vulnerable on the road this season then those previously and their victory at Anfield was just their fourth of the season, although they’ve had some tough away fixtures. They’ve endured three away defeats already but all three were against very good sides in Man Utd (2-1), Man City (4-2) and Sunderland (1-0). The funny thing is, though, is that Arsenal only really deserved to lose against Sunderland as they were far better in the other two. However, the game with Sunderland was their very first without Robin Van Persie and the Gunners have quickly acclimatised to life without their influential Dutch international, winning two on the spin.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Burnley W: N/A Arsenal W: N/A Draw: N/A

This will be the first Premiership meeting between the two, although Burnley did beat the Gunners 2-0 in the Carling Cup last season, what was a young Arsenal side that night, along the way to reaching the semi-finals, before eventually losing out to Arsenal’s local neighbours, Tottenham Hotspur.

Match Verdict: Arsenal to WIN – 1.53 SkyBet

Burnley have shown signs of weakness in recent outings, especially in defence, whereas Arsenal are building up ahead of steam, with victories over Liverpool and Stoke City boosting the morale in camp. If Arsenal seriously believe that they can challenge for the title then games such as this simply have to be converted into three points, no ifs or buts about it. Burnley have been at their strongest at home this season and the fans will no doubt come out in their droves to support their side once again against a ‘Top Four’ side, but it will be in vein as we expect the Gunners to overpower Burnley at Turf Moor and extend their winning run to three games.

Match Odds:

Burnley – 7.50 VCbet

Draw – 4.30 Boylesports

Arsenal – 1.53 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Andrei Arshavin FGS – 5/1 BetFred