Carling Cup Final Betting - Arsenal v Birmingham

Feb. 25, 2011 - PRLog -- Carling Cup Final - Sunday 16:00 Sky Sports 1 and BBC1


Arsene Wenger's side closed the gap on Man United in the title race to just 1pt on Wednesday, but that victory came at a cost; Theo Walcott departed with a sprained ankle that means he won't get the opportunity to play a part in winning his first trophy with Arsenal, while influential skipper Cesc Fabregas also limped off with a hamstring problem. It's not clear whether Fabregas will make this game, but the Gunners are unlikely to risk him given they have to travel to Barcelona in less than two weeks time.

Arsenal fans will be hoping Robin van Persie, who missed Wednesday's game because of a hamstring problem, is fit enough to return given the Dutchman has looked back to something like his brilliant best in the last six weeks, but Arsenal are not short of attacking options and the likes of Andrei Arshavin, Nicklas Bendtner and Tomas Rosicky are all worthy deputies.

Anyone who watched Arsenal coast to a 3-0 win at St Andrews on New Years Day will have no worries about the Gunners here but, a note of caution needs to be advised because the Gunners were far less impressive when edging to a 2-1 win in the Emirates clash and they were once again no where near their fluent best against Stoke on Wednesday.

Arsenal are clearly the most likely winners, as their match odds of 1-2 indicate, but this also is a big day for Birmingham, who are appearing in their first Wembley final for 55 years. Alex McLeish's well-drilled defensive unit will make it difficult for Arsenal but Wenger's classy side have a serious class edge over their rivals and should come through the test, although they may need extra time to do so. From a betting perspective, the bet that appeals most is under 2.5 goals at best odds of 4-5 (bet365 and 12bet). Birmingham have been involved in more low scoring games than any other top flight side this season (last three Premier League games all under 2.5 goals), and the Blues' initial gameplan will surely be to stifle their rivals.

With that in mind, there is another potential opportunity in the 'time of first goal market' where Paddy Power's 10-11 about the opener coming after the 24th minute makes a fair amount of appeal.

Recommended Bets:

Under 2.5 goals @ best odds 4-5

Time of first goal - 24-90 @ best odds 10-11

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