Arsenal and Manchester United the headline act in this weeks EPL

This week it's a titanic battle at the top of the EPL ladder for first place, as the Red Devil's take on the might of Arsenal at Emirates Stadium. If Arsenal were to come away with the points, this would give them a sizeable advantage with a game in hand still to play. Manchester United will need to beat Arsenal to have a good chance at the title this season.

This will be a magnificent match between two teams lined with talent, but the main question is whether Manchester will play an open game style and perhaps open themselves to a thrashing away from home, or play a constricted formation capable of still pressuring Arsenal but protecting the back at the same time. Both attacks are exquisite, but with Robin Van Persie on the sidelines for Arsenal and Adebayor having a few off games the advantage might be with United. Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney are gelling and scoring regularly for United, which will put Arsenals defense under pressure.

This could be a potential classic, but with much to lose for either team I can't see it being a high scoring match. Manchester United for mine in a thriller.
You can pick up the odds of $2.90 at sportsbet which is quite good value for a team of their stature, even away from home.


The other match that has taken my fancy this weekend is the enigmatic Portsmouth taking on the classy Newcastle at St James' Park. Both teams are hot, with Newcastle winning four in a row at home, whilst Portsmouth have been extraordinary away from home, taking four wins on the road.

Both teams strengths lay in their attack, but of the two, Portsmouth have the stronger defense by far. They have not conceded a goal in over four and a half hours this season, and over five hours without a goal conceded on the road. In contrast, the lackluster Newcastle defense has not kept a clean sheet in five of their last six games. Another interesting fact to take into consideration is that Pompey have not traveled to St James' Park and taken the points since 1949. Both teams are well marshalled by their respective coaches and both have ambitions of competing in Europe next season.

This could be an interesting match, with both teams capable of triumphing on their day; I'm tempted to take the "Draw-No-Bet" offer available at Sportsbet for Portsmouth at odds of $2.50, with both teams being fairly equal and a draw on the cards.

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