Previews

Gunners aim to upset United

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 29/08/2009
Football betting

The first meeting between members of the Premier League's big four occurs on Saturday evening, headlining a busy day of football which begins at lunchtime.

Chelsea kick-off the weekend's action when they welcome ultimate giant-killers Burnley to Stamford Bridge at lunchtime.

The Blues have made a perfect start to life under Carlo Ancelotti, winning the Community Shield and all three of their league fixtures so far.

But they will be wary of the threat posed by the Premier League new-boys, who have already beaten Manchester United this season.

Burnley prided themselves on beating top-flight opposition in the cup competitions last term and look as though they have no intention of letting that habit slip this time around.

They've also beaten Everton and are sure to provide a stern test for Chelsea.

Bolton host under-pressure Liverpool and nothing less than a win for Rafael Benitez's side will do.

Two losses out of three have spelled a nightmare start to the Reds' title challenge this season and Benitez will be desperate for his side to get back on track with a good performance at the Reebok, a place they have struggled to win points at in the past.

In pre-season Liverpool were much fancied among online betting to end a 20-year league title drought, but their odds are lengthening quickly.

Bolton have made a poor start to the season themselves and a strong performance could kick-start them into life.

The Trotters' Lancashire rivals, Blackburn Rovers, are also pointless and they tackle under-fire West Ham United.

The Hammers are the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons, as trouble erupted in and around Upton Park during their Carling Cup tie against Millwall on Tuesday.

Gianfranco Zola will be hoping that the talking point will be for matters on the pitch this weekend.

Table-toppers Tottenham Hotspur return to White Hart Lane this weekend and will hope for another three points against Birmingham City.

Free-scoring Spurs are benefiting from competition for places up front and look the hottest attacking entity in the league at present.

Saturday's action is rounded up by an eagerly-anticipated clash at Old Trafford, as Manchester United's title-defending credentials will be under scrutiny from old foes Arsenal.

Will the Gunners be able to upset the champions? Latest Football Betting

The champions netted five goals at Wigan Athletic last Saturday as their three strikers finally began to click as Wayne Rooney was joined among the goals by Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen.

Traditionally though, United have started the season slowly and it may present the Gunners with a chance to pounce as they have hit the ground running.

Arsenal's chances of winning at Old Trafford have been lessened by the absence of talismanic captain Cesc Fabregas, who has a hamstring problem. Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky also miss out but Arsene Wenger still has plenty of options going forward.

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