BetUS preview – Arsenal FC look ahead to a clash against Everton, hoping to close the gap on the top two tandem in the Premier League table – Chelsea (45 points) and Man U (43 points). The Gunners are breathing down their collective necks, third in the league with 41 points and with the advantage (depends on how one looks at it of course) of having a game in hand.
Looking back to the start of the season, Arsenal annihilated Everton 6:1 at Goodison Park to open their 2009-2010 season. Arsenal fans will be anticipating a similar showdown at the Emirates Stadium.
Everton will be hoping to get revenge but they have been shaky this season so this might be but a wishful fancy. If they were playing on home patch, maybe. But they are making the trek to the Emirates Stadium, putting them at a significant disadvantage before the game even gets underway. Baring divine intervention, which is something revealed only in hindsight, I don’t expect the betting public would side with anyone but Arsene Wenger and Co.
Soccer Betting Line:
Arsenal -1 -135 -235 2½ O -125 U +105 2 O -105 U -115 Draw +300
Everton +1 +115 +700 2½ O -125 U +105 ½ O -135 U +115 Draw +300
Match Time: 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time Saturday January 8, 2010
Soccer Betting Verdict: Arsenal is well priced at -235 to win outright. Two implications come with this price-point – the bookies favouring the Gunners is the obvious one the other is they are not so outlandishly favoured to reduce profit margins for bettors – this price-point promises a fair return on the risk. At almost a 1/2 (1-in-two) fraction, bettors are looking to make almost 50% on their risk (plus initial stake back). Heck, banks to offer returns like that.
Everton are priced far out there at +700. Under normal circumstances, the theoretical chance these odds would payout is about a 12% shot. Given they are on the road, I would reduce that percentage to below 5%. Once again, this is a bet for the diehard Everton fan or the risk-averse bettor willing to bet on such slim odds for a potentially huge payout.
Half time Betting Line:
Arsenal-½ -105 -105 1 O -130 U +110 Draw +135
Everton +½ -115 +485 1 O -130 U +110 Draw +135
Soccer Free Pick To Score First: Arsenal -325 Everton +210
