All the attention in the sports world in North America will be placed on one event for the next two weeks. Early Super Bowl XLIV odds give the Peyton Manning-led Indianapolis Colts an edge over Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. Much of the outside world, however, will be focusing on football matches being played on their other side of the ocean this week.
Arsenal currently sits at second on the table, two points behind Manchester United with a game in hand. Chelsea sits just behind with 38 points as well, but both clubs have a healthy 10 point edge on fourth place Tottenham Hotspur.
Both clubs have had to overcome their share of injuries. Villa will play without striker John Carew, full-back Stephen Warnock, and midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. They should have their Captain Stiliyan Petrov, despite his troubled Achilles.
Villa will play their fourth straight match at home, having edged Brighton 3-2 on Saturday, and beaten the Blackburn Rovers 6-4 in an offensive onslaught. Arsenal won the previous matchup 3-0 back at the end of December.
Villa manager Martin O’Neill has been very confident in recent days, talking of an upset over second-place Arsenal. O’Neill’s squad had an eight-game unbeaten streak that was ended by Arsenal back on Boxing Day in a 3-0 result. They’ll want some revenge but they better have more in the tank than that. They haven’t won or score since Christmas Day but that particular loss could fuel them to victory.
Betting Line
Sportsbook odds: Aston Villa +215, Arsenal +125
Sportsbook odds for Draw: +225
While sports betting has been overwhelmed by the Super Bowl, it is still open for the English Premiere League. The betting lines make Arsenal the favourite on the road in this match, 5/4 to win. Aston Villa is getting 9/4 odds to draw and looked poised for an upset.
Along with some standard betting tips, keep a few other things in mind with this match. Despite the injuries, Aston Villa should come out strong and motivated. The home crowd at Villa Park should help immensely.
Arsenal, meanwhile, may get caught looking ahead to their home tilt against Manchester United on Sunday. Aston hasn’t done as well on the road this year as they have done at home, and this is about the time of year they drop a match or two that they should win. With some cold weather, a strong home crowd, and a motivated Villa team, Arsenal could be in store for a big trap.
PICK: Aston Villa
