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Andy tips Blues to enjoy derby day delight
Sunday sees a derby double in the Premier League, with Birmingham hosting Wolves in the early kick-off and Arsenal travelling to Stamford Bridge. Here what our tipster Andy Gray is backing those games...
Chelsea v Arsenal
With no real injury worries and all the players back from the African Cup Of Nations, Carlo Ancelotti's biggest problem right now is deciding who to leave out and that's a pretty nice problem to have.
But it's not all rosy in the Chelsea garden right now and aside from the John Terry situation, there was also the small matter of a midweek draw at Hull which Chelsea will see as two points dropped. That was a huge shot in the arm to Hull's chances of staying up but also to the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, who were beginning to wonder when Chelsea were going to slip up.
The problem Arsenal have when facing a side like Chelsea is that there's always a danger they can be muscled out of the game, just like they sometimes are when they play sides like Stoke and Bolton. And let's make no mistake about it: with the likes of John Terry, Didier Drogba and Jon Obi Mikel in the side Chelsea are a big old unit and can stifle the creative talents of Cesc Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin.
The neutrals would love to see an Arsenal win here which would thrust the Gunners right back into the title race and make it the most open contest in years. But I can't see that happening and the smart money is on Chelsea to get back to winning ways on their own turf.
Recommended Bet: Back Chelsea to win at [1.86].
Birmingham v Wolves
This isn't a fixture that will appeal to every football fan in the country as these aren't exactly two of the most glamorous and exciting teams to watch, but try telling fans of these two this match doesn't matter!
Wolves may have crashed out to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup but they got two good draws just prior to that, away to Hull and at home to Liverpool. I've spoken before about their inability to score goals which is their Achilles heel and Sunday afternoon they're up against a side who are the Arsenal of the "noughties" in being the league's greatest exponents of the 1-0 win. Alex McLeish clearly has a gameplan that involves playing virtually the same XI every week but it seems to work for them and their league position of eighth doesn't lie.
Ok, I'd be surprised if this match turns out to be a cracker but that's not to say we can't make a few quid if that turns out to be the case.
Recommended Bet: Back under 1.5 goals at [3.0].
Here are Andy's score predictions for Sunday's Premier League matches...
Birmingham v Wolves
If this match goes to form, Birmingham should nick it by the solitary goal.
Final score: 1-0 at [7.2].
Chelsea v Arsenal
Home advantage and extra power should see Chelsea return to winning ways and bury Arsenal's title hopes for good.
Final score: 2-1 at [9.0].
To let Andy know what you think of his predictions or get in touch with a question for our next podcast later this month, either leave a comment in the box below or e-mail andy.gray@betfair.com.
Published: 6 Feb 2010 - Tags: Alex McLeish , Andy Gray , Carlo Ancelotti , John Terry
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