WHEN doing my research for this weekend one stat caught my eye that was hard to believe.
Today’s big lunchtime game is Arsenal v Man City and incredibly the champions have won just once in 29 league visits to the Emirates or Highbury. I'll also be looking at Celtic v Aberdeen which also kicks off at 12.45pm.
Man City have lifted more titles in the past three seasons than victories away to the Gunners in the last 42 years.
However, Manuel Pellegrini’s side drew at the Emirates last season and won the year before that. Arsenal’s 1-0 success in 2011-2012 was preceded by two 0-0 draws so stats suggest a low scorer and no to both teams to score.
Arsene Wenger’s side took the bragging rights 3-0 in the pre-season Community Shield but I’d read little into that and expect a stalemate with both sides having one eye on the Champions League openers.
The draw pays a best 13-5 with William Hill while under 2.5 goals is 21-20 at McBookie.
BT Sport’s last two live Premier League games have finished 0-0 – and no scorer here and an unwanted hat-trick is 12-1 at Ladbrokes and bet365.
The last six league meetings have been under 2.5 goals but with attackers such as Danny Welbeck, Javier Sanchez, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko in action I can understand oif people don’t want to back it.
In fact if you fancy both to score look at this offer from Ladbrokes who go 5-1 from 8-13 for new account holders. http://www.ladbrokes.com/sports/en/football-bothscore-premierleague-arsenal-v-mancity/?
After his double for England in Switzerland Welbeck is 5-2 at 888sport to net on his debut following his £16million move from Man Utd.
In the teatime kick-off (5.30pm) third-placed Aston Villa are also 12-1 at their trip to Liverpool who look short at a best 1-3 (McBookie) but both them an Chelsea (home to Swansea) will be popular in accas.
Best bet at Anfield could be both to score at 21-20 with William Hill with Villa drawing 2-2 and 1-1 and winning 3-1 on their last three visits.
Meanwhile, Celtic boss Ronny Deila says he’s had time to reflect on his side's start to the season and hopes for an immediate upturn in fortunes.
The international break came at the right time for the new Hoops boss and he welcomes Aberdeen to Parkhead today with new signings John Guidetti and Stefan Scepovic in his squad.
Much has been written about them and if half of it is right Celtic fans could soon be worshipping both. After two dismal Champions League exits and dropped league points against Inverness and Dundee fans needed a lift from somewhere.
With skipper Scott Brown back, it could be a bad time for the Dons to be travelling to Parkhead and I expect the home side to put on a decent show.
Aberdeen won there in the Scottish Cup last season but have conceded 12 goals in three league visits. Celtic’s only home league game this season ended in a 6-1 rout of Dundee United. Check the starting line-ups but if Scepovic plays consider him to score first.
Celtic are no bigger than 1-2 with the likes of Ladbrokes and McBookie but to win by at least two they’re worth a look at 13-10 with Paddy Power having covered this handicap five times in winning their last nine league clashes with the Dons.
Derek McInnes’s side haven’t started as well as they’d have liked but possess a goal threat from players such as Niall McGinn, Adam Rooney and David Goodwillie so both to score at 1-1 with bet365 is worth a look.
Recommended Bets
Arsenal v Man City draw
(13-5 bet365)
Arsenal v Man City under 2.5 goals
(21-20, McBookie)
Celtic v Aberdeen both to score
(1-1, bet365)
Liverpool v Aston Villa both to score
(21-20, William Hill)
In December 2020 we sadly 
Hi Mr F my post in yesterdays thread went through moderation. A shortlist of games that i thought had potential for goals. It was OK’d but i have now replied back with the results and it’s went through moderation again. Is it possible to find out what in particular is causing it, to avoid such a thing in the future. Thanks :)
Lunch time double :Bts @ Arsenal/Celtic games. 2.11.
mr. f, what do you think on celtic game going 02.5? i would rather take that.
kym, Celtic game should go over 2.5 but I’d have a better idea once I see line-ups but I won’t be around then.
I disagree with you prediction over Arsenal’s draw.
I suspect a win on away for city
I agree Kym Think over 2.5 goals in the celtic match is a cracking bet. Celtic defence is all over the place and McGinn and Rooney will punish the poor celtic defence. This could be 3-2 to any of them.
For me lustig is celtics best defender and without him they don’t get the same security. I still think that was the difference in the champions league game when he went off celtic lost the goal.
So over 2.5 nap and 3.5 small wager.
Just woke up after a nice sleep..My dream of Over 6.5 Match goals at Parkhead has me thinking….could this, happen??? Im certainly having a punt on it !!!!
Arsenal v City
Agree with the draw here MrF except i think it maybe over 2.5 goals (2-2 maybe), another Stat is that all Arsenals 12:45 kick offs last season were atrocious….3 in total
Man City 6 Arsenal 3
Liverpool 5 Arsenal 1
Chelsea 6 Arsenal 0
Obviously they were away in each game but metally they are well aware of last seasons dismal record and are facing one of their 3 nemesis from last season again in a repeat 12:45 kick off and it may just mentally prove too much for them, but home advantage this time and Wellbecks debut should get them a draw but don’t see them winning.
2-2 12/1
City Draw no bet 4/5
over 2.5 goals 5/6
Predictable backlash.
You should only back bets you believe in yourself.
No one has a 100% strike rate and Raaljaca is no different.
If you can do better post yours ;)
Kev- teammate
MAGNIFICENT TIPPING ON ARSENNAL GAME WOT ELSE CAN U SEE IN THE LOOKING GLASS MAD HATTER FREIND
People are forgetting raals horse came 2nd advised @33/1 making good profit.
daz, people forget he tipped Hearts just as strongly for earlier league matches. People also should accept they put their own bets on and are not forced to. My day started well, fell away badly and will pick up again if Roma hold out. However, results overall have been poor and that’s not just Hearts.
Agree with that Mr F. A real shocker today for the fancied teams.
hearts let the whole betting universe down.
Correct as Liverpool result was fully predictable!
Frank x Just drunkenly focused on my Crystal ball and im seeing a match involving Trabzonspor v Fenerbahce 6pm tomorrow. Im seeing BTTS and Fenerbache win at 18/5 @ WH ;)