Arsenal v Blackburn Tip

With defensive problems rife for both teams, betting on goals looks like the right move for the Saturday lunch time game in the Premier League. It finished 4-3 to the hosts when Blackburn met Arsenal at Ewood Park back in September; more of the same looks on the cards even if a different winner is likely. There seems a high probability of more than four goals in the match at best odds of 10/3 with Coral.

For those who love a quirky stat, here’s one for you. Steve Kean’s strugglers have actually scored as many goals (17) on their league travels as Arsene Wenger’s team have managed at the Emirates. The ‘goals against’ column tells us why Rovers have so few points to their name. They have conceded 23 on the road, 47 overall. Wherever Blackburn play, generally we should expect goals, and at both ends.

Arsenal continued to look fragile in January as the goals flew into their own net against Fulham, Swansea, Man Utd and Villa. The good news for them is that Robin van Persie remains as imperious as ever; it’s hard to imagine a Rovers defence shorn of unsettled captain Christoper Samba suddenly finding a first clean sheet of the season. The Dutchman has scored eight times against Blackburn already.

An RVP-inspired Arsenal should win, but don’t be surprised to see Rovers chip in to help our bet on a goal-fest.