So often a class of two of the “big 4” in the past this
games has become somewhat less of a big deal. They are sixth and seventh in the
table and not out of the race for fourth just yet but they need to string a
good run together as they are four and seven points adrift respectively.
Head-to-Head
The Gunners won 2-0 at Anfield in September and the record
of all their meetings since 1905 is 66 to 65 in favour of Liverpool.
I never noticed any bad blood between these two so the above
average amount of cards in these ties is surprising.
Last season Liverpool gained their first win at Arsenal
since 2000 when they beat the 10 men with two late goals. In fact there has not
been a first half goals in their meetings at The Emirates since 2008.
Stats/Form
Liverpool have conceded at least twice against all teams
ahead of them in the table bar Chelsea who scored once. The Reds have dominated
the leagues lower sides but are yet to register a win against top half
opposition taking only five points from 33 available.
Arsene Wenger’s side have lost only twice in 16 to teams
below them in the standings. They have scored two-thirds of their goals at
home.
While Arsenal were less than impressive in the cup they
overcame Brighton and Hove Albion but Liverpool were dumped out by Oldham who
are 55 places and two divisions below them in league standings.
They teams between them have only one league draw since
November.
Team News
Mikel Arteta is out for the home side with a calf injury
while Gervinho is playing the Cup of Nations. While Brendan Rodgers has no new
fitness concerns for his squad.
Verdict
Neither side would leave you with much hair if you are a fan
and their unpredictable nature makes it hard to call but home advantage is
important to Arsenal and they are the more likely winners.
I fancy both teams to score at 8/13 and this could be a bloodbath
so over 3.5 goals at 7/4 both prices with Ladbrokes.
Head-to-Head
For a team that draws so often it is surprising to see that
Everton have only drawn once with West Brom in their meetings this century.
During their fruitful early season spell West Brom won this tie 2-0 at the
Hawthorns and are one of only three sides to take Everton’s scalp this season.
They have only won once at Everton in six visits in “modern
times” a 4-1 victory in late 2010.
Victor Anichebe must enjoy playing West Brom as he has three
goals against them including one in each fixture last season.
Stats/Form
Depite their reasonable form the Baggies are now four games
without a win. They have conceded in every away game.
Everton have been abysmal in putting away chances in their
past two league games but their FA Cup win may have banished that bout of poor confidence
and given that the Baggies are allergic to away clean sheets they should manage
one today.
It is ludicrous to think that
someone has drawn more often than Everton but last night Stoke forged one ahead
in that race that nobody tries to win and Everton can get back to 12 all tonight.
Team News
The transfer speculation surrounding Peter Odemwingie
coupled with the time off given by manager Steve Clarke means he is not
available. They will also be without midfielder Zoltan Gera through injury.
Both Irish Internationals Seamus Coleman and Darren Gibson
are out through injury for the Toffees.
Verdict
Simply a draw is the best option until Everton can manage to
start scoring more freely. Priced at 16/5 with Bet365
Head-to-Head
Spurs won this meeting last season with two Gareth Bale
goals but Norwich then won at White Hart Lane and managed a draw there earlier
this campaign also. Their League Cup game resulted in a win for the Canaries in
October.
All three meetings have been level at half time.
Stats/Form
With the exception of Liverpool no side have given Norwich a
hiding at home but they have only managed one point since that fabulous run of
10 unbeaten from late October to mid December. Having been in the top seven are
now 13th and win is badly needed to steady the ship.
Without keeper John Ruddy they are not the same defensively
with only one clean sheet.
AVBs side are unbeaten in seven and only Everton conquered
them in their last 11. They got out of jail with a deserved point at home to
Man United in their last league game but lost to Leeds in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Most of their goals came away from home so you can see them in
an attacking mindset tonight again. Jermaine Defoe has scored nine of his 10
goals against bottom half opposition so he is a likely scorer tonight (5/1
first goalscorer)
Team News
As well as the mentioned John Ruddy, Steve Morrison is on
the long term injury list at Carrow Road.
William Gallas is out with a calf injury, Sandro on the long
term casualty list and Adebayor is in Africa otherwise no new team news for
Spurs.
Verdict
It is hard to see Norwich getting something from this
although their home record means they deserve respect. Tottenham took a blow on
the weekend but their main focus is the league and can win without conceding (9/4
Ladbrokes). The Half-time/Full-Time to be Draw/Tottenham -4/1 William Hill.
And a repeat of last season’s result is not unforeseeable so
Tottenham 2-0 Correct Score at 10/1 with Bet Victor.
Head-to-Head
Chelsea had two goalies stretchered off in the first ever meeting
between these two, a game that would have been more at home in the NFL where a
last second goal line clearance from Drogba gave the Blues all three points on
that occasion.
Reading failed to get the better of them in five meetings
and lost 4-2 in their August meeting.
Stats/Form
Reading have won three of their last four and are in good
heart, they came from behind in two of those. They put four past Sheffield
United in the cup and are showing the kind of form that saw them win last years
Championship.
They shipped a lot of goals to the Champions League sides
bar City so they are vulnerable to an in form Chelsea.
Only a shock defeat to QPR saw defeat for Chelsea in their
past eight league games and they have won their last four away. In a crazy FA
cup weekend Chelsea were held to a draw by Brentford.
Team News
No new selection worries for Reading.
Chelsea will be without Petr Cech who infamously suffered a
head fracture at this ground that resulted in the donning of a scrum cap in
every game hence. David Luiz is also injured, while Hazard (suspended) and
Moses and Mikel (International Duty) are also unavailable.
Verdict
26 points is the gap in the table and despite their good run
Reading will have more realistic targets. However the week has had some strange
results so far and life will not be easy for Rafa’s team.
The greater firepower
should win it for Chelsea as it did it their meeting earlier this campaign, if they escape without a goalie stretchered off they will not be too disappointed!
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