Previews

Gunners face in-form Villa

Author: John Harris
Date: 27/12/2009
Football betting

Although the majority of the festive Premier League fixtures are being played on Boxing Day, there are two being held on Sunday.

The clash of the day has to be at the Emirates Stadium where Arsene Wenger's Arsenal take on the impressive Aston Villa.

Arsenal sit in third behind Chelsea and Manchester United and another win for Wenger's young guns would certainly put pressure on the big two as their form continues to falter.

The Gunners easily brushed past the challenge of Hull City last weekend thanks to goals by Denilson, Eduardo and Abou Diaby as they secured a resounding 3-0 success.

Arsenal have now collected ten points out of a possible 12 in the league following their disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea and the resilience shown by the side will have boosted Wenger.

However, Martin O'Neill's Villains are riding the crest of their own wave. They beat Stoke City 1-0 last time out thanks to John Carew's headed effort as they secured a fourth win on the spin.

In this run they have not conceded a goal and have now lost just once in their previous 14 games in all competitions so there is big reasons for cheer at Villa Park this Christmas.

The fine form of Gabriel Agbonlahor, Carew, Ashley Young and James Milner will give O'Neill the belief that is needed to grab a result in the capital.

Beleaguered Manchester United, who are the online sportsbook second favourites to win the Premier League this season, travel to Hull City.

Sir Alex Ferguson has more than just his Christmas lunch to digest this year with his team ravaged by a spate of injuries.

With Rafael, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Gary Neville, Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Jonny Evans all in the treatment room, Fergie's side are starting to struggle.

Can Hull City take advantage of Manchester United's injury-ravaged side by beating them on Sunday? - Latest Football Betting

They were hammered 3-0 at Fulham last weekend when the Scot had to play midfielders Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher at the heart of the defence alongside Belgian youngster Ritchie de Laet.

The inexperience of the trio playing in such roles was evident as the Cottagers made light work of the champions.

Phil Brown's Hull City side should be encouraged and rightly so.

They have not lost at home in six Premier League fixtures and will be wanting to continue this run by taking advantage of United's defensive frailties.

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