Happy Hunting Ground Can Cheer Up Arsene

Arsenal have few happier stomping grounds in the Premier League than the Hawthorns and I expect them to extend their record of seven matches unbeaten there at the weekend.

Arsene Wenger has been no stranger to criticism this season but one thing the Gunners have done pretty well is beat the teams who are going to be down the bottom. Four top flight wins have come against Palace, Villa, Sunderland and Burnley; it’s the sides at the top who Wenger can’t handle these days.

West Brom are ‘not in a good moment’ as several managers now like to say. They haven’t scored in 223 minutes and their only win since September (7 matches) came at Leicester courtesy of an own goal.

Saido Berahino had been holding it all together for Alan Irvine but it will be interesting to see how he responds to this week’s arrest for drink-driving. The 21-year-old striker was enjoying a fine 2014-15 but this news comes after 3 matches without a goal and the last time he did net was a penalty in a match where he otherwise failed to make an impact.

For the Londoners, Alexis Sanchez is looking unstoppable while the return of Olivier Giroud is a further boost. Put this all together and the smart move looks like backing Arsenal to win to nil at best odds of 23/10 (Coral).