Hull City V Arsenal Betting: Saturday, 13th March (ESPN)

Hull City V Arsenal

Saturday, 13^th March – 17:30 GMT

TV Coverage: ESPN

Hull City

League Position: 18th

Recent Form: DWLLL 

Not the ideal fixture to be taking three points out of but one the Tigers will do their utmost in to at least ensure it’s a competitive affair as they welcome title chasing Arsenal to the KC Stadium. With Hull occupying one of three relegation spots, any points would be handy in their cause to avoid the drop, but the Gunners not only beat them 3-1 in their last visit to Humberside but also stuck three pas them back at The Emirates just four months ago, with Hull failing to even reply in that clash. So, will Phil Brown have his Tigers fired up for the second encounter with the Gunners this season, or will they prove a toothless bunch once more?

Well, if their recent form of three successive defeats is anything at all to go by then the answer would be toothless. However, in Hull’s defence, all three were away fixtures; losing at Blackburn (1-0), West Ham (3-0) and more recently Everton (5-1), with the latter the most emphatic of the lot and coming at just the wrong time, just before they welcome an Arsenal team who scored five past Portuguese giants FC Porto in midweek. 

Right, with the ugly facts out of the way, we turn towards the prettier parts, much like Beauty & the Beast, with Hull clearly the beast I’m afraid, despite their recent vein of form back at home. In Hull’s defence, and they would need a strong lawyer to battle their case for three points this weekend, they are unbeaten in their last three at home, but, more importantly, they beat a Man City side 2-1 in their most recent home appearance – A City team who later went on to beat the current league leaders Chelsea in emphatic fashion.

Funnily enough, Hull have been partial to a bit of home resistance this season as back in October they went on a month long run without losing at home, going six games unbeaten at the KC. After avoiding defeat to Wolves (2-2), Chelsea (1-1) and Man City (2-1), Hull have not only gone three unbeaten at home and boosted their survival claims significantly, but they’ve also put together some surprisingly strong home form, with both Chelsea & Man City failing to beat Hull at the KC this month, so perhaps Hull are capable of adding another high-profile team to their shocker list.

Arsenal

League Position: 3rd

Recent Form: LWWWW

The Arsenal camp will be in buoyant mood after they surprised us all with their stunning efforts in the Champions League last-sixteen on Tuesday. Cesc Fabregas was ruled out of even featuring for the Gunners in midweek so to win in such an emphatic and domineering manner was sensational, and a credit to all involved in preparing the side for that big clash. Arsenal ran out more than comfortable winners in a 5-0 romp at the Emirates, becoming the very first English side to go into the draw for the quarter’s.

It’s back to the real business now though as Arsenal set their sights on another crucial victory on Saturday, this time the reward will be three huge points. Arsenal’s recent rich vein of form; winning their last four league games, has resulted in the Gunners being thrown straight back into this title equation, with Arenal now just two points off the pace set by Manchester United. In fact, victory on Saturday, what would be their fifth on the spin, could send the Gunners top of the league should Chelsea’s come a cropper against their London rivals, West Ham. That doesn’t look likely though, so Arsenal might merely have to settle for a win that would keep the pressure firmly on Chelsea and Man Utd.

Arsene Wenger will be supremely confident of his teams chances as they have a good record against Hull of late, having won their last two clashes with the Tigers. Moreover, while Hull have been struggling in front of goal, Arsenal have been creating chances a plenty, even if they haven’t exactly been as clinical as one might hope. They proved on Tuesday night though that this Arsenal side had goals in them so Hull could be their unlucky victim which they unleash their wrath on this weekend. Arsenal last couple of games have been more about battling qualities rather than outright skill and technical ability, with the Gunners having to win in an unfamiliar untidy manner of late. That should have been different however had they put away the majority of their chances, especially on Saturday against Burnley.

Arsenal were a team waiting to erupt after weeks of spurring chance after chance and only managing the odd few goals in games, which would be good for some but not for an Arsenal side who pride themselves on their forward prowess and ability to score goals. Porto were the side they unleashed their fury on but have they used it all up on the Portuguese side?

Match Verdict: Arsenal to WIN – 1.44 Boylesports

We’re going with the form book here, although that’s a bit misleading considering Hull haven’t lost at home in their previous three visits. Even so, Arsenal looked far too tasty to oppose after Tuesday’s demolition job of Porto. Moreover, Arsenal have been used to battling their way to results of late and should be battle hardened for their trip to Hull. The Tigers aren’t the most physical of sides but they do get in your face and close you down with some sharp tackles. However, Hull are also a team which get deflated pretty fast so a quick strike for the Gunners could be a huge blow as Hull aren’t renowned for their scintillating comebacks.

Arsenal for us as they aim to complete a hat-trick of wins against the Tigers, one that would keep them in the hunt for the Premier League crown and pile more pressure onto Manchester United who play 24 hours later.

Match Odds:

Hull City – 9.00 WilliamHill

Draw – 4.80 VCbet

Arsenal – 1.44 Boylesports

SoccerBetting Value Pick: Nicklas Bendtner anytime scorer – 2.38 StanJames