Cardiff - Watford

Home side are promotion contender, currently two points behind rivals Swansea (with a game in hand). Pressure on Dave Jones is growing recently as they won only two of their last nine league games. He has signed on loan Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey and striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Both will be available for the game. Bothroyd returned to training and will have some role today. Bellamy should start.  

Before the start Watford were one of my favourites for relegation (as ‘Boro were for promotion), but they’re currently holding 6th place and have noticed seven wins in a row (six in league), having scored the highest number of goals (50, two goals per game in average)! Malky Mackay also has strengthened his squad with signing winger Townsend and striker Weimann on loan. Despite skipper Eustace and midfielder Cowie are sidelined, I’m sure they won’t be lacking in self-confidence.

Cardiff should be favourite here, but I’m not sure does it worth at 2.00. Games between these two sides are usually high scoring affairs, last nine(!) ended with three or more goals and I’m going on over.

Bet: Over 2.5
Odd: 1.87 188bet
Stake: 8/10

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Arsenal - Burnley

Arsenal are third with three points less than the leaders. Theoretically, they could take a top with a win today with four goals margin. However, the most important thing is they’re still in the title race. A month ago they faced the crisis noticing just one point in three games, but after that made three consecutive wins. Title is a dream, first bad result in this phase of the league would eliminate them and I don’t expect any kind of possible relaxation. Aaron Ramsey has joined the injury list alongside Campbell, Djourou, Gallas, Gibbs, Merida and Van Persie. Vela will be rested after the international duty, while Alex Song is suspended. Good thing for Gunners is Abou Diaby and Andrey Arshavin are back in contention after recovering from injuries.

 

Although Burnley have collected just one point less than first club above the relegation line, their recent results and performances suggest they’re certain travelers to the second tier. They have a single win (West Ham, 2-1 at home) in last 16 encounters! It seems losing Owen Coyle was the decisive factor in their Premier campaign, as they lost great run of results at home. On the other hand, their away shape could be called disgusting. One point from 14 games (Man.City 3-3) and in every game except one (Bolton 0-1) conceded at least two goals. In total, they’ve conceded 43 goals which is far the most in the league. Leading scorer Steven Fletcher is expected to play with a cast on the broken hand, while player-coach Graham Alexander will return after five weeks. Skipper defender Caldwell and defender McCann remain sidelined.

 

Only thing that could be a worry for Wenger is their Champions League re-match vs. Porto at Tuesday. But on the other hand, considering today’s opponent this is a great chance for warming-up and bringing the confidence for Tuesday. Wenger won’t rotate players too much, but the fact is any players should win this with few goals margin. This is also a chance for Arshavin to recover his old shape. Arsenal -2 ah will be a bet, -2.5 would be a gamble. 

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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Striker Fernando Torres says he would rather move to Spanish side Barcelona, than stay in English football if he is forced to leave Liverpool. The Reds may have to sell Torres, 25, to help repay the club's financial debt with Chelsea and Manchester City interested. (IM Scouting) 
Manchester City are on red alert as Real Madrid's top scorer Gonzalo Higuain has turned down a new contract offer amid reputed interest from the Eastlands outfit.(Daily Mail) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he retains an interest in Brazil and Juventus defensive midfielder Felipe Melo, as he plans for the longer term without the stricken Aaron Ramsey.(The Guardian) 
Wigan and Stoke are keen on Serbian defender Dusko Tosic, who is a free agent after leaving cash-strapped Portsmouth.(The Daily Mail) 
David Beckham will return to to play for LA Galaxy in the United States after the World Cup. The England midfielder, 34, is currently on loan with Italian side AC Milan. (The Sun) 
Everton are leading the chase for West Brom's highly-rated Graham Dorrans. The Scottish midfielder, 22, has hit 13 goals this term. (The Sun) 
Manchester United midfielder Nani has urged manager Sir Alex Ferguson to press ahead with his bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso. Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are all interested in the 23-year-old.(The Sun) 
Bolton boss Owen Coyle wants to sign United States midfielder Stuart Holden on a full-time deal after his impressive start at the Reebok Stadium. The 24-year-old is on a short-term contract to the end of the season.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Portsmouth will be offered a staggering £32m rescue deal from the Premier League to pay their tax bill and avoid going bust this season. (Daily Mirror) 
Defender Wayne Bridge will play for England again, according to his Manchester City team-mate Kolo Toure. (The Telegraph) 
Russia's bid to stage the World Cup in 2018 could be set to benefit from the political and financial firepower of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. (The Telegraph) 
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has poured cold water over reports suggesting he will quit the Blues to take over as Italy boss after this summer's World Cup. (The Sun) 
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed he quite fancies the Italian job, but not just yet: "Now I'm thinking only of City. I will be here many years." (The Sun) 
Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone faces a long injury lay-off after a scan revealed he suffered ankle ligament damage against Everton. (The Daily Mail) 

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AND FINALLY

England captain Steven Gerrard says his wife, Alex Curran, will not be at the World Cup in South Africa with him, unless they reach the semi-finals. (Various)
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